Antiques
Scott’s in Margate has been bringing Londoners in search of a bargain for years – a real must for antique lovers. Another gem in Ramsgate is Fontaine Decorative, a beautiful shop full of French antiques. Fontaine Decorative were responsible for finding the majority of the beautiful items of furniture you see in our hotel from the decorative antique chests of drawers to chesterfield sofas or Os du Mouton chairs.
Retro & Vintage
Showtime Retro, under the arches, is a fab place to potter. But Margate is the place for all things retro and vintage. The Old Town and the High Street are peppered with shops, such as Madam Popoff and Breuer & Dawson for vintage clothing, Paraphernalia, Rough Trade, Junk Deluxeand Hunky Dory for retro objects, Danish Collectables for midcentury Scandinavian furniture and accessories. And many more…
Local Produce
Fruit and vegetables by local farmers can be found at farm shops, but there are also wonderful local food and drink producers, who you’ll find at the Thanet Farmers’ Market and the award-winning Cliftonville Farmers’ Market. Quex Barn, in Birchington, has an extensive farm shop, which includes local fish and meat. The attached restaurant uses all local produce.
Don’t miss a visit to Haeckel’s in Cliftonville, where Dom Bridges makes fragrances and beauty products from local seaweed.
Arts & Crafts
A few minutes away, on the seafront, is Nice Things, a shop packed with interesting, unusual things made by independent makers, both local and national. A bit further into town is McGillan and Woodell, where you can buy prints, ceramics, jewellery etc and York Street Gallery for local art.
Contemporary
Amidst the antiques and the retro, are a few independent contemporary lifestyle shops. In Ramsgate, pop into The Saltworks, which has everything from interiors to clothing, everyday and luxury items, and gifts. Papillon in Margate has great contemporary designer items for the home.
Boutiques
You can find high street fashion anywhere, but it’s particularly satisfying to find small boutiques, selling hand-picked clothes and accessories. In Broadstairs, try Arrowsmiths or KIT. In Margate, The Secret Wardrobe and in Ramsgate try Archive, the best place to eat in the arches down at the harbour-front.