Our two-night trip to Margate was a little adventure for all of us, but especially for Mazie. It was her first long car journey and her first visit to a beach, so we weren’t quite sure what she’d make of either.
The good news? She did brilliantly on the journey and absolutely loved the beach.
The weather gave us plenty of wind and a few showers, but we still had time to explore three beaches, find lots of shells and some sea glass, and enjoy a relaxed break by the Kent coast.
Monday: The journey to Margate
We set off Monday afternoon for Margate, a journey that took just over two hours. As this was Mazie’s first ever long car journey, we were pleased that she travelled so well and had no problems along the way.
Once we arrived and settled into our flat, we spent the afternoon and evening looking around the town. We didn’t need to squeeze too much into our first day. After the drive, it was nice to get our bearings and enjoy the sea air.
For dinner, we picked up a takeaway from Peter’s Fish Factory and took it back to the flat. An easy end to our first day in Margate.
Our place to stay: Sea View Sanctuary
For our two nights, we stayed at Sea View Sanctuary Apartment in Margate. Having a flat on the seafront gave us somewhere to settle in with Mazie, enjoy our takeaway and have a quiet evening after a day out.
The flat was great as it was ground floor and had its own enclosed garden area.
Tuesday: Mazie’s first beach day
Tuesday was our main day for exploring, and we headed out to see Margate’s beaches. It was very windy, with a few showers along the way, but that didn’t stop us from getting out and about.
We visited Margate Main Sands and Westbrook Bay. For Mazie, this was her first beach experience, and she loved it. It was lovely to see her enjoying a completely new place.
We also found plenty of shells on the beaches, along with some sea glass. Those little discoveries made the beach visits even more enjoyable, giving us something else to look out for as we explored.
If you’re planning a dog-friendly visit, each beach has diferent rules. Main Sands has seasonal restrictions, while Westbrook Bay welcomes dogs year-round with a seasonal lead requirement.
You’ll find the updated details with new photos and beach videos on our listings:
Lunch at Charlie’s Bar
At lunchtime we stopped at Charlie’s Bar, on the front overlooking Main Sands, for ham, egg and chips.
Charlie’s is a dog-friendly spot, so it’s a useful place to know about if you’re exploring Margate with your dog. After a windy morning by the sea, a proper lunch felt well deserved.
That evening, Mazie was tired, and we had a light meal back at the flat and enjoyed a quieter end to the day.
Wednesday: Walpole Bay before heading home
On Wednesday morning, we had time for one more beach before leaving Margate. We explored Walpole Bay before heading home at lunchtime.
Walpole Bay is another option for a dog-friendly visit. It welcomes dogs on the beach year-round, although a seasonal lead requirement applies. The sand can almost disappear at high tide, so check the tide times before you go. For humans, the Tidal Pool is the main attraction, but dogs aren’t allowed in it.
You can find the dog rules and a beach video on our Walpole Bay listing.
A memorable first seaside trip
Two nights gave us time to explore Margate at a relaxed pace, visit three beaches and enjoy some good food without packing too much into our stay.
The wind and showers were part of the trip, but they didn’t spoil it. For us, the highlight was seeing Mazie enjoy her first beach visit, especially after she’d taken her first long car journey in her stride.
If you’re planning a dog-friendly trip to Margate, check the individual listings, which we have updated for the latest dog rules, before you travel. And if you visit any of these places with your dog, we’d love you to leave a PAWprint to help other owners plan their own seaside adventure.
