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Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
I live near one of the UK's 'best beaches' but there's a nicer one 10 minutes down the road
It's less than two hours from London and often features in top 10 lists — but I think it's overrated. Last week, The Times released a list of what it says are the 50 best beaches in the UK. The list was wonderfully varied, with sandy and shingle beaches and more rural locations featured. Living in a seaside town in Kent, I am incredibly passionate about some of my local beaches. Deal, Kingsdown and Folkestone are some of my favourites. Scanning the list, I was intrigued to see which Kent beach would feature in the 'South England' section, if any at all. I was disappointed to find Margate was the only beach to feature. It's not a particularly bad beach — but it is the most overrated. Margate is a trendy, buzzy town that is particularly popular among Londoners who travel down on a Friday evening for a weekend by the sea. And who can blame them? In theory, Margate has everything you could want: a sandy beach, plenty of good bars, restaurants and pubs, boutique shops and a trendy art scene, with the Turner Contemporary being particularly popular. The town is also known for Dreamland, an amusement park and music venue where the Sugababes, Olly Murs, Madness, and McFly will perform this year. One of the town's main attractions is its sandy beach and traditional seaside amusements, which are always good fun, even if you're not one for coin pushers and claw machines. However, when I last visited, I couldn't help feeling quite underwhelmed. I was met with piles of rubbish, a lingering sewage-y scent wafting through the air and a group of drunken men who proceeded to shout lewd remarks at me and my husband as we headed back towards the train station. The town felt rundown, unkept and the wrong side of 'gritty'. I left feeling disappointed, and in all honesty, I haven't dared to go near the beach since. Even the stunning sunset reflected across the beach in the evening couldn't change my mind. Rather than heading to Margate this summer, I'd highly recommend the quaint seaside town of Broadstairs, which is located just 10 minutes away. Broadstairs has several beaches, with Viking Bay and Botany Bay being the most popular. Viking Bay has beautiful golden sands, beach huts, and a fantastic tidal pool. It's the perfect spot to kick back and relax or enjoy a leisurely walk. Further up the coast, the secluded Botany Bay offers beautiful views of the white cliffs and chalk stacks. It's usually quieter than Viking Bay and is more suited to those who want to explore rock pools or hunt for fossils. Joss Bay is also a popular spot with steep chalk cliffs and golden sands that stretch for 200 metres. It's also the best beach in Thanet for surfing. Broadstairs itself is charming with an olde-worlde feel that can only be experienced in a handful of ungentrified seaside towns in the UK. Fishermen's cottages can be found in the heart of the town, as well as a 1950s ice cream parlour and plenty of quaint pubs. Broadstairs was known to be Charles Dickens' favourite spot for a holiday - and it's easy to see why. Next time you're heading to the Kent coast, give trendy Margate a miss and instead give this charming town a try, you won't be disappointed.
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
One of the UK's oldest theme parks opens new log flume water ride – the first in 25 years
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BEACHSIDE theme park that is one of the UK's oldest has brought back a much-loved water ride in time for summer. Dreamland, in Margate, has opened their new Wild River log flume ride. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Margate's Dreamland has launched a new log flume ride Credit: Dreamland 4 Wild River is the first water ride for the park in 25 years Credit: Dreamland The new ride will have two "high-thrill" drops with both a 50ft plunge and 30ft plunge along the way. Not only that, but guests at the park can use nearby water guns to spray riders as they go past, with coin-operated pistols. Guests can buy ponchos before boarding the water ride if they want to avoid getting too wet. A Dreamland spokesperson said: 'This summer, we are delighted to welcome a brand new headline attraction to Dreamland's ride lineup. "The Wild River is a welcome return of the classic Log Flume to the park and we can't wait for guests to take the plunge!' Guests can purchase a £3 Ride Token to go on it. The last time the theme park had a water ride was 25 years ago, only for it to be sold off and removed from the park. Dreamland's operation manager Jack King previously said: "Anyone that works in the attractions industry or is an avid fan of all things Theme Park will appreciate the dying breed that is a UK based classic Log Flume. "It is so exciting to actually say Dreamland Margate will be opening its first Log Flume in about 25 years." Dreamland is one of the UK's oldest theme parks, celebrating it's 105th birthday this year. Best of British: Margate's beach and numerous attractions make it the perfect getaway (The oldest theme park award goes to Blackgang Chine in the Isle of Wight, which is over 180 years old.) However, Dreamland dates back as far as 1880, when there was an amusement park, albeit under a different name "Hall by the Sea" The theme park faced a number of problems over the years, and was forced to close. Yet it reopened in 2015 after a multi-million project, followed by a much bigger relaunch in 2017. Now, there is the famous Scenic Railway, one of the few remaining scenic railways in the world and the oldest rollercoaster in the UK The ride still has a manual person operating the brakes, who is on the ride while it goes around. 4 The theme park reopened back in 2015 Credit: gjheming There is also the Rock 'N' Roller rollercoaster, as well as the Big Wheel, Dodgems and Pirate Ship. It also has its huge indoor arcade area, which has its retro Roller Disco rink. This year, the Roller Room arcade has introduced new VR games as well, which can be booked in advance on the website. And also new this year is the park's payment system, which includes new £24.99 day wristband that allow unlimited ride access. Guests can still opt to pay per ride, with the theme park itself being free. Otherwise the theme park is also known for its huge Summer Sounds music acts. Famous acts this year include Haim, Basement Jaxx, McFly and Billy Ocean. In the mean time, here is everything you need to know about visiting Margate, often dubbed Shoreditch-on-Sea. It even has a very famous lido that lots of tourists don't know about.
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
One of the UK's oldest theme parks opens new log flume water ride – the first in 25 years
A BEACHSIDE theme park that is one of the UK's oldest has brought back a much-loved water ride in time for summer. Dreamland, in Margate, has opened their new Wild River log flume ride. 4 4 The new ride will have two "high-thrill" drops with both a 50ft plunge and 30ft plunge along the way. Not only that, but guests at the park can use nearby water guns to spray riders as they go past, with coin-operated pistols. Guests can buy ponchos before boarding the water ride if they want to avoid getting too wet. A Dreamland spokesperson said: 'This summer, we are delighted to welcome a brand new headline attraction to Dreamland's ride lineup. "The Wild River is a welcome return of the classic Log Flume to the park and we can't wait for guests to take the plunge!' Guests can purchase a £3 Ride Token to go on it. The last time the theme park had a water ride was 25 years ago, only for it to be sold off and removed from the park. Dreamland's operation manager Jack King previously said: "Anyone that works in the attractions industry or is an avid fan of all things Theme Park will appreciate the dying breed that is a UK based classic Log Flume. "It is so exciting to actually say Dreamland Margate will be opening its first Log Flume in about 25 years." Dreamland is one of the UK's oldest theme parks, celebrating it's 105th birthday this year. (The oldest theme park award goes to Blackgang Chine in the Isle of Wight, which is over 180 years old.) However, Dreamland dates back as far as 1880, when there was an amusement park, albeit under a different name "Hall by the Sea" The theme park faced a number of problems over the years, and was forced to close. Yet it reopened in 2015 after a multi-million project, followed by a much bigger relaunch in 2017. Now, there is the famous Scenic Railway, one of the few remaining scenic railways in the world and the oldest rollercoaster in the UK The ride still has a manual person operating the brakes, who is on the ride while it goes around. 4 There is also the Rock 'N' Roller rollercoaster, as well as the Big Wheel, Dodgems and Pirate Ship. It also has its huge indoor arcade area, which has its retro Roller Disco rink. This year, the Roller Room arcade has introduced new VR games as well, which can be booked in advance on the website. And also new this year is the park's payment system, which includes new £24.99 day wristband that allow unlimited ride access. Guests can still opt to pay per ride, with the theme park itself being free. Otherwise the theme park is also known for its huge Summer Sounds music acts. Famous acts this year include Haim, Basement Jaxx, McFly and Billy Ocean. In the mean time, here is everything you need to know about visiting Margate, often dubbed Shoreditch-on-Sea. It even has a very famous lido that lots of tourists don't know about. 4
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
One of the UK's oldest theme parks opens new log flume water ride – the first in 25 years
A BEACHSIDE theme park that is one of the UK's oldest has brought back a much-loved water ride in time for summer. 4 Margate's Dreamland has launched a new log flume ride Credit: Dreamland 4 Wild River is the first water ride for the park in 25 years Credit: Dreamland The new ride will have two "high-thrill" drops with both a 50ft plunge and 30ft plunge along the way. Not only that, but guests at the park can use nearby water guns to spray riders as they go past, with coin-operated pistols. Guests can buy ponchos before boarding the water ride if they want to avoid getting too wet. A Dreamland spokesperson said: 'This summer, we are delighted to welcome a brand new headline attraction to Read more on theme parks "The Wild River is a welcome return of the classic Log Flume to the park and we can't wait for guests to take the plunge!' Guests can purchase a £3 Ride Token to go on it. The last time the theme park had Dreamland's operation manager Jack King previously said: "Anyone that works in the attractions industry or is an avid fan of all things Theme Park will appreciate the dying breed that is a UK based classic Log Flume . Most read in News Travel "It is so exciting to actually say Dreamland Margate will be opening its first Log Flume in about 25 years." Dreamland is one of the UK's oldest theme parks, celebrating it's 105th birthday this year. Best of British: Margate's beach and numerous attractions make it the perfect getaway (The oldest theme park award goes to However, Dreamland dates back as far as 1880, when there was an amusement park, albeit under a different name "Hall by the Sea" The theme park faced a number of problems over the years, and was forced to close. Yet it reopened in 2015 after a multi-million project, followed by a much bigger relaunch in 2017. Now, there is the famous Scenic Railway, one of the few remaining scenic railways in the world and the oldest rollercoaster in the UK The ride still has a manual person operating the brakes, who is on the ride while it goes around. 4 The theme park reopened back in 2015 Credit: gjheming There is also the Rock 'N' Roller rollercoaster, as well as the Big Wheel, Dodgems and Pirate Ship. It also has its huge indoor arcade area, which has its retro Roller Disco rink. This year, the Roller Room arcade has introduced And also new this year is the Guests can still opt to pay per ride, with the theme park itself being free. Otherwise the theme park is also known for its huge Summer Sounds music acts. Famous acts this year include Haim, In the mean time, here is everything you need to know about visiting Margate, often dubbed Shoreditch-on-Sea. It even 4 Ride Tokens cost £3 Credit: Dreamland
Daily Mail
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Drum and bass festival goer, 21, dies at event 'shut down for being too hot'
A 21-year-old man has died at a drum and bass festival was closed down for being too hot. The man was rushed from Margate Drum and Bass to the hospital - the event was then shutdown early. Organisers of the event at Dreamland Margate, an amusement park in Kent, announced on social media that it was forced to 'close early' as 'it was just too hot today'. The event was due to end at 10:45pm Saturday evening but organisers issued an announcement at 6:30pm to say it would be closing prematurely, urging gig-goers to 'get home safely'. A force spokesperson told The Sun today: 'Kent Police was made aware of a report that a man in his 20s, who was taken to hospital following a medical incident at Dreamland in Margate on the afternoon of Saturday 28 June 2025, subsequently died. 'Officers are making enquiries into the circumstances of the death which is not believed to be suspicious. 'A report is being prepared for the coroner.' A note was sent to all members of Thanet District Council by the authority's chief executive Colin Carmichael last night, KentOnline reported. An unnamed councillor told KentOnline that his note said: 'Very sadly, a 21-year-old man was taken by blue light services from Dreamland and died at QEQM (Hospital). 'We understand that medical advisers approved the medical provisions set up by Dreamland for this event, but of course, police will carry out a proper investigation. 'We are not intending to speculate until we have the results of that.' The festival, which was open only to over 18-year-olds was due to be headlined by Andy C, alongside performances from Wilkinson, K Motionz, Mozey and Fish56octagon. A festival goer told KentOnline that Mozey came on stage to tell everyone to leave the festival. They said a few people were angry but most other revellers were calm about the situation. A crowd of around 7,000 were evacuated shortly after the announcement. A man announcing the closure on the tannoy reportedly said the closure was due to staff being 'inundated' by people needing medical assistance. It follows the death of 17-year-old Emily Stokes who died in hospital last year after attending the same festival in Kent. Her sister Megan said she 'passed away from an overdose from being spiked'. Megan has since paid tribute to her older sister, saying she was the 'kindest person you could ever meet' and 'was so full of life'. Ms Stokes was found to have 5,500 micrograms of MDMA per litre of the teenager's blood – more than three times higher than the level that has been fatal in other drug overdose cases. The inquest was also told that a batch of the drug circulating in the area at the time was laced with lethal fentanyl.
