Dreamland Margate

Dreamland Margate is an amusement park in Margate, Kent, England, based on a traditional English seaside fair. It is often referred to as a funfair. The park has many attractions and hosts a large number of different events. In this article, we will tell you in detail about the location, upcoming events, available transfer options, and ticket prices.

The history of Dreamland Margate?

The history of Dreamland Margate began in 1870, when the Hall by the Sea entertainment complex opened. Initially, it was not just an amusement park, but a full-fledged recreation area with beautiful gardens, a man-made pond and its own mini-zoo.

The park hosted a variety of shows. In 1920, it was given the name Dreamland. By this time, it was already considered one of the main entertainment complexes on the coast of Great Britain.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the number of attractions in the park began to increase. In 1981, the Bembom brothers bought the site and renamed it Bembom Brothers White Knuckle Theme Park. This name was used until 1990, when the park was renamed Dreamland.

In the first half of the 2000s, the park fell into decline, and some of the attractions were sold to other amusement parks. In 2003, owner Jimmy Godden announced that Dreamland was closing. Due to its status as a listed building, the Scenic Railway attraction could not be moved.

In 2015, the park reopened to visitors after undergoing renovation. In 2017, its territory was modernised with the aim of restoring vintage attractions and art installations. Unique bars and street food outlets began operating in the park, and a programme of live events was devised.

Today, Margate Dreamland attracts visitors with its mid-20th-century atmosphere and impressive collection of retro attractions. In the park, you can ride vintage carousels and roller coasters. Architectural objects from the Victorian era have been preserved here in their original form. Some of them are listed as part of Great Britain's historical heritage.

Dreamland Margate is not only an amusement park but also a cultural centre. Concerts, music festivals, fairs and other events are held here on a regular basis.

Margate Dreamland even has a ballroom, which is a historic building of architectural value. It measures approximately 17 m × 20 m, is located on the ground floor and can accommodate up to 500 people. In addition, there is a cinema built in 1933-35 with a facade in the style of modernist architecture. Reviews say that this is one of the most interesting parks in England.

Attractions

Dreamland Margate has a large collection of attractions, which are divided into different areas:

1. Thrill Rides — this is where you will find breathtaking attractions such as roller coasters and top-level carousels.
2. Family Rides — an area with family attractions: a Ferris wheel, carousels, and mini-slides.
3. Tiny Tots Zone — a special area for toddlers, designed to be as safe as possible.

Among the most popular attractions are:

1. Scenic Railway — one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in Great Britain, which began operating in 1920.
2. Mirror Maze — a mirror maze.
3. Pinball X — an attraction dedicated to pinball and spinning mice.
4. Dodgems — an attraction that has been operating since 1946.
5. Big Wheel — a Ferris wheel reaching 100 feet in height.
6. Speedway is a high-speed attraction that has been in existence since 1934.
7. Hurricane Jets is a Lang Wheels Zodiac Jets attraction designed in 1958.
8. Chair-o-plane is an attraction that has been operating since the mid-1920s and was created by Fritz Botmann.

Also noteworthy are the Waltzer, Cyclone Twist (operating since 1962), Dreamland Drop — a 140-foot tower, Pendulum — a swinging attraction, and Dreamcatcher — a modern version of the classic Enterprise attraction.

Roller Room

A visit to the roller room, where you can dance to lively music, promises a wealth of experiences. Don't miss the opportunity to take part in a retro disco.

At the same time, you can visit virtual worlds, entertain yourself with free VR games and try your luck in the retro arcade. And after all that fun, satisfy your appetite at the Roller Café, which serves delicious treats and refreshing drinks.

The cost is £7 per person per session. This price includes roller skate hire. A special price of £6 per person per session applies if you bring your own roller skates.

Sessions start at 10:30 a.m. and end at 4:45 p.m. They last 45 minutes. Reservations are available at the roller skate rental counter in the roller room. This is not just virtual reality, but an adventure in which you are the main character.

A 30-minute session costs £15 per person. WR sessions start at 10:30 a.m. (each lasting half an hour). They must be booked online.

Dreamland Margate events

The park hosts various festivals, including music festivals. The most popular ones are the Margate Reggae Festival, Margate Summer Series (a series of summer concerts), and Over 30 Club – Summer Festival (a one-day party-style festival).

Upcoming events at Dreamland Margate:

1. The Dualers – 8 November 2025, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.;
2. Citizen Soldier – 13 November 2025, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.;
3. Trevor Nelson – 14 November 2025, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.;
4. Drowning Pool & Spineshank — 21 November 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.;
5. Dave Hill's Slade — 29 November 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

List of past events:

• 21–23 June 2024 — Big 7 Scooter Rally 2024 featuring Kevin Iverson, Dad Manners, Red Hot Riot, and Scam 69.
• 13 June 2024 — Bryan Adams and Cassyette.
• 7 June 2024 — The Magic Numbers.
• 22 March 2024 — The Virginmarys.
• 17 August 2024 — Fat Freddy's Drop as part of the Margate Summer Series.
• 20 July 2024 — IDLES, Genesis Owusu and Angélica Garcia.
• 19 July 2024 — Manic Street Preachers and Suede.
• 13 July 2024 — Sophie Ellis-Bextor as part of the Margate Summer Series.

Where is Dreamland Margate located?

Dreamland Margate is located in Margate, Kent, England. It is situated on the coast near Margate Main Sands beach, making it an ideal place for family leisure activities.

Address: Marine Terrace, Margate CT9 1XQ, United Kingdom

GPS coordinates: 51.3813° N, 1.3860° E

You can get to the park by train to Margate station, from which the park is a 10-15 minute walk. The seafront and the town centre are within easy reach.

Dreamland Margate map

The Dreamland Margate map shows the Main Entrance, located on Marine Terrace, directly opposite Margate Main Sands beach. It also shows the exits next to the Arlington Car Park and on the beach side for easy access to the sea.

Use the map to find toilets, marked with WC icons, information centres, ticket offices, a first aid point for emergency assistance, and ATMs (located near the main entrance for the convenience of guests). In addition, the map highlights footpaths and rest areas with benches and shelters.

The park is adjacent to the beach, so you can combine riding the rides with a stroll along the seashore if you wish.

How to get to Dreamland Margate?

The park's location in the north-east of Kent provides good transport links from London. All you have to do is choose a convenient transfer option.

By train

You can get from London to Dreamland Margate by Southeastern Rail high-speed train from St Pancras or Victoria station. The approximate journey time is 1.5 hours. It takes 5-10 minutes to walk from Margate railway station to the entrance to Dreamland.

By bus

Stagecoach buses run frequently between Dreamland, Thanet and Canterbury. There are also National Express bus stops in Margate.

By car

From London, you can reach Dreamland Margate via the M20 and M2 motorways. The approximate travel time is 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Dreamland Margate parking

Dreamland has a multi-storey car park called Arlington Car Park. It is located next to the main entrance. The cost is approximately £10 for the whole day.

There is also an alternative car park, Belgrave Road Car Park, located a little closer to the northern part of the park. Visitors are offered not only daily rates, but also short-term rates: up to 1 hour — £1.75; up to 2 hours — £3.50; up to 4 hours — £7.00; up to 15 hours — £10.00.

The car park is managed by Smart Parking, and ANPR cameras are used to ensure security.

Visitor information

Before visiting Dreamland Margate, it is worth reading the visitor information, finding out ticket prices and the park's opening hours.

Tickets

Entrance to the park is free, with charges applying only to the rides:

1. An unlimited wristband for all rides costs £24.99 for adults.
2. The wristband for children — ‘Tiny Tots’ (height from 0.8 m to 1.2 m) — costs £12.99.
3. Tokens: 1 token = £3 per ride; a pack of 20 tokens costs £40.

Season tickets:

• Unlimited Mega wristband — £99.99;
• unlimited Tiny Tots — £54.99.

In October, discounts of up to 50% were available on attraction tickets.

Discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more people. In this case, the price is reduced by 25%. Discounts are also available for emergency services, NHS and Armed Forces personnel.

A transaction and booking fee is charged when purchasing tickets for events. For indoor events, the fee is £1, and for outdoor events, it is £2.50.

Opening hours

During the season, approximately from 5 April to the end of October, the amusement park is open from 11:00. In autumn and winter, the attractions are closed, but concerts and other events continue.

Here are some examples of the times of individual events:

• 7.11.25 - Gong & Henge from 19:00 to 23:00
• 11. 25 - The Dualers from 19:00 to 23:00
• 11. 25 - Citizen Soldier from 19:00 to 23:00
• 11.25 Trevor Nelson Soul Nation from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• 11. 25 Drowning Pool & Spineshank from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• 29.11. 25 Dave Hill’s Slade from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Hotels near Dreamland Margate

There are many good hotels in the vicinity of Margate Dreamland:

1. The Beetroot (address: Car Park, Market St, Margate CT9 1EU). Located a couple of minutes' walk from the park, this is a 100% vegan hotel where everything from the furnishings to the toiletries is made from eco-friendly materials.
2. Fort Road Hotel (address: 18 Fort Rd, Margate CT9 1HF). An aparthotel with stylish interiors where every detail has been carefully thought out. An excellent option for those who want to enjoy a designer setting.
3. No 42 by GuestHouse, Margate (address: 42 High St, Margate CT9 1DS). A modern boutique hotel with a terrace and numerous positive reviews. Guests can enjoy a cocktail on the roof after a fun-filled day in the park.

Food and drink

The park has a café, Roller Café, which offers wood-fired pizza and other snacks.

On the waterfront, next to the famous Dreamland Kent park, is Cinque Ports. It is a beautiful Georgian pub and restaurant, listed as a Grade II listed building. It offers stunning views of the sea. It is the perfect location to meet friends and family for a refreshing drink.

That bringing your own food and drinks to events held in the park is not permitted.

Contact details and postcode

Address: Dreamland HQ, Hall By The Sea Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 1XJ

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Frequently asked questions