Slap on the sunscreen and pack the beach towels –you’re in Margate, babes! Returning once again to the big screen, Kent’s seaside town acts as the vibrant backdrop to Sky’s highly anticipated dark comedy, Dreamland, starring Freema Agyeman, Lilly Allen, and many more familiar faces. Watch as secrets, drama, and uproar unravel within the on-screen, far-from-functional, multigenerational family when its four sisters find themselves reunited at their home on the Kent coast.
While we won’t give any spoilers (you can binge the six-part series yourself), we will tell you that the show, brought to you by the makers of Motherland and Bad Sisters, is sure to bring laughter, tears, and maybe just a few gasps as it explores themes of race, sexuality, and identity. For all you Margate locals, you’re sure to be shouting “I’ve been there!” at the screen every five minutes. And for everyone else - sit back and take in the glorious colour, sunshine, and life that seeps right through the screen to your living rooms in this heart-warming, tear-jerking, knee-slapping show. Margate, here we come...
Margate Main Sands
The opening scenes of the first episode see Mel (played by Lily Allen) staggering off a raucous coach shared with a hen-party onto the sunny seafront of Margate Main Sands. Returning to her family hometown after a modelling job in Paris goes awry, she’s instantly hit with a true taste of the British seaside that we all know and love. As we watch her disembark and encounter colourful characters, we’re reminded of those warm days of summer with the hustle and bustle of the coast, and we just can’t wait to don our swimsuits and head on out to the beach. Unlike Mel, who rocks up to the town in her dark clothes and even darker attitude, we’re ready and waiting in excitement to stroll along the Main Sands, bask in the glorious sunshine, and take a dip in the sea.
Dreamland
Right on the seafront, you’ll find Margate’s famous amusement park, and the show’s namesake, Dreamland. Much like the Sky TV dramedy, the seaside resort is jam-packed with thrills, fun, and character, with all the colour and vibrancy of the town right in one spot. In the second episode, we see the family at the park enjoying (well, at least trying to enjoy) their day out, riding the Ghost Train, wearing five hats to be tall enough to ride the Chair-o-Plane, and facing difficult talks in the house of mirrors. Double the fun and minus the drama, and you’ve got yourself a day out in Margate for the whole family! With a calendar full of live music and entertainment, plenty of mouth-watering food and drink, adrenaline-fuelled rides, and even a blast from the past roller room, there’s never a dull moment when you visit Dreamland.
The Old Kent Market
What was once the Parade Cinema in the heart of Margate has now been transformed into The Old Kent Market, a buzzing community hub where you can find amazing food, drink, and culture. As we see Leila going on a first date with the man who, just hours ago, she nearly crashed into while trying (unsuccessfully) to park her car, we can’t help but crave an afternoon of strolling through the market’s unique and quirky shops, bars, and restaurants. Follow in the footsteps of the two lovebirds and grab yourself a drink, perhaps opting for a beer from the UK’s smallest pub! Try a delicious pastry from Gina’s Old Kent Bakery or stop off at BBs Café & Bar (because we bet you’ve never bought a bite to eat from inside a double decker bus!). The market is just one sign of the changing times in Margate, bringing together the old and new to create the brilliant spirit that keeps the town turning.
Margate Harbour Arm
Nothing gets us quite in the summer mood like a walk along the Harbour Arm, taking some time to aimlessly amble and see the coast from a whole new angle. While, in the show, we see many heart-wrenching moments take place on the Harbour, like a particularly dramatic moment between Mel and Spence, we’re here to bring you the good times that are to be had at this seaside spot. With plenty of food and drink to choose from, like refreshing tipples at the Harbour Arm Micropub or locally produced seasonal goodies at Sargasso’s, you’re set for an afternoon of chilling out and taking in breath-taking seascapes, drink in hand and not a care in the world. For a bit of culture to your day, be sure to check out Turner Contemporary, where you’ll find a year-round line up of fantastic exhibitions from artists both local and beyond.
Cinque Ports
With all your exploring of the area, you’re going to need to find somewhere to settle down for a hearty meal. Take a leaf out of Cheryl and Diane's book and get ready for a feast of Mexican fusion street food at Cinque Ports, a space you might not have recognised, doubling in the show as an LGBTQ+ bar where the two go for their first public date. With 99% of the menu made from scratch, it’s safe to say your tastebuds are in for a treat of lovingly made dishes when you dine at Cinque Ports. From a 10-hour slow cooked Barbacoa Beef to home-fried tortilla chips, this is one time you won’t struggle to choose where to go for dinner. Sit back, fill up on flavour-filled tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and enjoy that famous Margate sunset…
Dalby Café & Sands Hotel
The rest of the show truly will leave you marvelling at Margate, with wide shots of the seafront in all its sunny glory, pans of the streets and their beautiful architecture, and buzzing scenes of Margate locals. Watch as Trish and Spence have coffee in the local Dalby Café, just down the street from the Shell Grotto, where you’ll find 2000 square feet of 4.6 million shells, whose origins remain a mystery even today. As we see the mum of the family, played by Frances Barber, in a tete-a-tete with her estranged sister on the balcony of the Sands Hotel, we can’t help but look past the feud and focus on that dazzling view! Reopening in July as No. 42 Guesthouse, you can get your own fix of the perfect coastal getaway, where a wonderful night’s sleep, fantastic restaurant, and spectacular views await.
While you’re here…
So, there you have it – a stellar run through of the spots in Margate that we know and love, all on screen! If you haven’t quite got enough of the fun and adventure that the area has to offer, you’re in luck. For a taste of handcrafted, lovingly made beer, pop into microbrewery XYLO on the beachfront before heading to Beach Buoys for some vegan fish and chips, ready to be enjoyed while sat on the warm sand. Fancy a bit of a thrill? Explore the Margate Caves and all of their historical wonder or create your own adventure with an immersive experience at The Escapement. Discover all there is to know about the beautiful seaside town and, just like Barber’s matriarchal character, get that feeling of “Some days, I just remember why I love it”. And Margate, we really do!
