The seaside town of Margate in Kent has based its livelihood on the sea since its beginnings. It was one of the first places to be developed as a seaside resort in the Georgian era. Margate’s sandy beaches became popular with Londoners first with the advent of steam packets in 1815 and even more so after the railways arrived later in the nineteenth century. The changing pattern of holidaying in the UK led to a decline in the fortunes of Margate in the latter years of the twentieth century, but in recent times the town has seen an upsurge including new developments such as the Turner Contemporary Gallery.

In this book author Andy Bull reveals the hidden history of Margate, from the foundation of the world’s first sea-bathing hospital and the playground of Regency royalty, to the creation of Dreamland. This town has been the haunt of artists, writers and actors, and boasts the most haunted theatre in the country and the first modern bungalow. Secret Margate explores the lesser-known episodes and characters of the town through the centuries, and will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this town in Kent.