Cliftonville Area Guide

Home to long sandy beaches and the scenic avenues of Palm Bay, Cliftonville is a lively seaside town with a charming old town and an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. Part of the resort of Margate with the Kent countryside close by, property in Cliftonville also allows for quick trips into London.

Welcome to Cliftonville

A popular coastal resort, Cliftonville has retained many of its attractive Victorian buildings and traditional charm over the years. Close to the award-winning Turner Contemporary art gallery and the ever-popular Dreamland amusement park, Cliftonville also offers excellent transport links and an abundance of highly regarded schools that make it a perfect choice for any buyer.

Why Cliftonville is a great choice for families

Families who want to be close to the coast but not too far from London are often drawn to property in Cliftonville by the fantastic choice of local schools in the surrounding area. Hartsdown Academy in Margate is highly regarded for secondary pupils, while Palm Bay, Drapers Mills and Garlinge Primary mean there are plenty of excellent choices for younger kids too.

Getting around in Cliftonville

Cliftonville's proximity to Margate offers residents quick and easy transport connections via rail. Trains run from Margate to London St Pancras every 30 minutes, and with a journey time of just an hour and a half, it’s perfect for weekends away or the daily commute. For motorists, Cliftonville has a handy network of B roads connecting it to major routes, including the A28 to Canterbury and the A256 south to Dover.

A short history of Cliftonville

Cliftonville's sunny location on the Kent coast made it a hugely popular resort in Victorian times, and many hotels and B&Bs sprang up along the seafront, which can still be seen today. Cliftonville also boasts an impressive array of literary connections, including with TS Eliot, who wrote part of his ground-breaking poem The Wasteland during a stay in the town in 1921.

Sporting and Cultural highlights in Cliftonville

Cliftonville and Margate are the proud home to several sports teams, including Margate Football Club, a local yacht club and a bowls club which are popular with residents. For music lovers, there’s the Margate Soul Festival, which sees live performances and a programme of other exciting events staged at venues, including the town's historic Winter Gardens.

Shopping and Dining in Cliftonville

Close to the amenities of Margate and the coast, property in Cliftonville benefits from access to an array of shopping facilities, from supermarkets on Northdown Road to small independent boutiques. When it comes to dining out, The Sands and The Buoy and Oyster are popular among residents, along with Pete's Fish Factory, which, as the name suggests, serves up traditional fish and chips. There are plenty of options for nights out too, including Clockwork Cocktails, Kabuki Cocktail Lounge and The Imperial Lounge, which boasts impressive views of Margate harbour.