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Margate is a southern North Sea seaside town located at the northeastern tip of Kent. The town's history has been from the beginning associated with the sea. Margate is just north of the entrnce to the Channel at Dover. Dover is of course the closest point between Englnd and France. As a result during World War II, small ships from Margate participated in the Dunkirk evacuation. And Dunkirk was was in esence seen as a 'limb' of Dover in the ancient confederation of the Cinque ports. Margate was first recorded as 'Meregate' (1264). Spelling varied for some time. We assumed it mmeant gate to r=the sea, mare meaning sea in Latin. The name is thought to mean a pool gate or gap in a cliff where pools of water formed. The larger ones allowed swimmers to jump in. The cliffs of the Isle of Thanet are composed of chalk. These white cliffs acan be found on both nsides of the Channel. Margate has been a significant port since the medieval period, and was associated with Dover as part of the Cinque Ports (15th century). This was a Confederation of coastal towns in Kent, Sussex and Essex ormed for military and trade purposes. Margate has been an important British seaside resort from the early period in which the seaside and bathing began to be popular in England (18th century). It combined a magnificent beach with easy access via the Thame. It was not until the coming of the railways (1846), however, that large numbers of Londoners began to take advantage of Margate' beaches. Margate like neighboring Ramsgate, has thus been a popular holiday destination for Londoners because of the wide sandy beaches. Eventually the Dreamland amusement park was added. During the late 20th century, the town went into decline along with other British seaside resorts, but attempts are being made to revitalise the economy. Margate's wonderful Victorian era pier was destroyed by a powerful Northsea storm (1978). We note an unidentified boy having his portrait taken in a classic sailor outfit at the W.G. Fair studio. They did not, however, use a beach backdrop or even beach toys. Like Brighton and Southend, Margate was infamous for gang violence between mods and rockers (1960s) and then mods and skinheads (1980s).
Margate is a southern North Sea seaside town located at the northeastern tip of Kent. Margate is just north of the entrnce to the Channel at Dover. Dover is of course the closest point between Englnd and France. As a result during World War II, small ships from Margate participated in the Dunkirk evacuation. The cliffs of the Isle of Thanet are composed of chalk. These white cliffs acan be found on both nsides of the Channel.
The town's history has been from the beginning associated with the sea. Dunkirk was was in esence seen as a 'limb' of Dover in the ancient confederation of the Cinque ports. Margate was first recorded as 'Meregate' (1264). Spelling varied for some time. We assumed it mmeant gate to the sea, mare meaning sea in Latin. The name is thought to mean a pool gate or gap in a cliff where pools of water formed. The larger ones allowed swimmers to jump in. The Battle of Matgate was the last major naval battle of the Caroline War phase of the Hundred Years' War (1387). It was not fought in the town.
Margate has been a significant port since the medieval period, and was associated with Dover as part of the Cinque Ports (15th century). This was a Confederation of coastal towns in Kent, Sussex and Essex ormed for military and trade purposes.
Margate has been an important British seaside resort from the early period in which the seaside and bathing began to be popular in England (late 18th century). From the very beginning of resort seabathing, Margate has been a leading seaside resort helped by the fact that it was close to London. It combined a magnificent beach with easy access via the Thame. It was not until the coming of the railways (1846), however, that large numbers of Londoners began to take advantage of Margate' beaches.
Margate like neighboring Ramsgate, has been a popular holiday destination for Londoners because of the wide sandy beaches. Bathing machines were ised throughout the 19th century. They were described as, "... four-wheeled carriages, covered with canvas, and having at one end of them an umbrella of the same materials which is let down to the surface of the water, so that the bather descending from the machine by a few steps is concealed from the public view, whereby the most refined female is enabled to enjoy the advantages of the sea with the strictest delicacy." (1805) A popular oier was
aa=dded suring the Victorian era. Eventually the Dreamland amusement park was added (1900). It was featured in "The Jolly Boys' Outing" extended episode of the television series 'Only Fools and Horses'. Dreamland is situated in the center of Margate. It closed (2006), but reopened following a lengthy campaign by the "Save Dreamland Campaign" group (2015).
The Scenic Railway roller coaster at Dreamland is the second oldest in the world. It is is one of only two early-20th century scenic railways still remaining in Btitain. The Margate roller coaster is an ACE Coaster Classic.
The Margate Caves (Vortigern Caves) are situated at the bottom of Northdown Road. The Shell Grotto, which has walls and roof covered in elaborate decorations of over four million shells covering 2,000 square feet (190 m2) in complex patterns, was rediscovered in 1835, but is of unknown age and origin. The Walpole Bay Tidal Pool was built (1937). The pool covers over four acres. The water in the pool is refreshed by the incoming tide twice a day and fresh water springs rise from the beach within the walls.
The town went into a decline along with other British seaside resorts (late-20th century). Attempts are being made to revitalise the economy. Margate's wonderful Victorian era pier was destroyed by a powerful Northsea storm (1978). Like Brighton and Southend, Margate was infamous for gang violence between mods and rockers (1960s) and then mods and skinheads (1980s).
We note an unidentified boy having his portrait taken in a classic sailor outfit at the W.G. Fair studio. They did not, however, use a beach backdrop or even beach toys.
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