Dreamland Margate — Quick, No-Faff Guide
By day: retro theme park. By night: headline music venue on the seafront.
What is Dreamland?
Two-for-one good times: a retro seaside theme park with vintage-style rides and arcades in the daytime, and a popular open-air music venue after dark with headline acts on the Scenic Stage during the Margate Summer Series.
Best of both: do rides and beach by day, then stick around for a big-name gig at sunset.
- Seafront location Outdoor stage Street food & bars
- Family-friendly days All-ages gigs (check event)
- Digital tickets Contactless
Music venue & recent headliners
Dreamland’s summer programme pulls big names across pop, rock, dance and hip-hop. Recent headliners and major acts include:
- Bryan Adams
- Simple Minds
- Limp Bizkit
- Jess Glynne
- Becky Hill
- IDLES
- JLS
- Craig David (TS5)
- The Libertines
- Roger Daltrey
- Basement Jaxx
- Dizzee Rascal
- Sugababes
- Tom Jones
- Olly Murs
- Madness / McFly
Line-ups change each season — check What’s On for current dates.
Rides (retro fun)
Expect a rotating line-up of vintage-style attractions — think classic Big Wheel, Gallopers (carousel), Waltzer, Chair-O-Plane, Helter Skelter, and family coasters. The exact ride mix varies by season and event.
Heritage note: Dreamland is home to the UK’s oldest wooden roller coaster, the Scenic Railway (opened 1920).
- Pay-per-ride (tokens) or wristbands on selected dates
- Check ride availability on the day
Getting there
Train
- From London St Pancras (HS1) or Victoria to Margate.
- Walk 5–10 minutes along the flat seafront to Dreamland.
Bus
- Thanet Loop runs Margate • Broadstairs • Ramsgate all day.
- Seafront stops on Marine Terrace / Cecil Street. Contactless accepted.
- DayRider covers unlimited Stagecoach rides in the Thanet zone.
Ticket options (at a glance)
| Need | Best option | Where |
|---|---|---|
| London ↔ Margate return | Off-Peak return (HS1 is quickest) | Southeastern or National Rail |
| Unlimited buses in Thanet | Stagecoach DayRider | Stagecoach DayRider |
| Rail + local buses same day | PlusBus add-on | PlusBus Thanet |
| Dreamland entry/events | Tickets & What’s On | Dreamland What’s On |
Event schedules and fares change — check live info before you head out.
Family tips
- Arrive early for popular shows and ride sessions.
- Pack layers — the seafront gets breezy even on warm days.
- Food — seafront cafés are minutes away if on-site queues are long.
- Plan B — Turner Contemporary and Old Town are easy fillers if weather flips.
Accessibility
- Flat, step-free walk from the station along the promenade.
- Drop-off possible on Marine Terrace near the entrance.
- See Dreamland’s accessibility info for facilities and event specifics.
FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long from the station? | About 5–10 minutes on foot along the seafront. |
| Do I need the bus? | Only if you’re coming from elsewhere in Thanet — the Loop is the easiest bus option. |
| Can I buy tickets on the day? | Sometimes, but popular events sell out. Book ahead when possible. |