What To Expect At Dreamland, Margate: Fun For All Ages

There’s something about going to a funfair that summons up those innocent feelings of youth. Of forgetting your responsibilities as you whirl around on the waltzers. Not caring that the candyfloss you’re consuming contains about 700% of your daily sugar allowance. Not worrying about how you look with your head thrown back, screaming out all that happiness.

It’s pure, unadulterated fun – which is something that in current times, we all definitely need to make time for.

For a long time, Margate was a destination considered ‘behind the times’ and ‘rough around the edges’. However, some extensive redevelopment in the Old Town and seafront area has caused a huge resurgence in popularity. Dreamland has clearly played a huge part in this, attracting families, couples and groups of friends to experience a polished classic British seaside break.

Discover how modern Dreamland re-imagines classic British seaside culture, with our full visitor’s guide. Whether you’re on a romantic weekend break, a family seaside holiday or visiting with a group of friends, find out everything there is to do at this unique Kent attraction.

The history of Dreamland

Entertainment on the Dreamland site began in the 1860s when a disused railway depot was converted into a concert hall and restaurant – The Hall By The Sea. A circus entreprenuer developed gardens and animal attractions around the venue.

In 1919, John Henry Iles purchased the venue, transforming the site into an American-inspired amusement park. He renamed the site Dreamland, after the historic Coney Island park of the same name.

The 1920s and 1930s saw impressive expansion, turning the seaside funfair park into a destination venue with the addition of a ballroom, cinema and amusement arcades. 1920 in particular was a key year, due to the opening of Dreamland’s flagship ride, the Scenic Railway, the oldest of its kind in the UK until it closed permanently in 2026.

The park was closed during the Second World War, reopening in 1946. In 1949, the Scenic Railway was damaged by fire, the first of three similar incidents which required heavy repair work to restore the ride.

Evolution of the park continued, with big name concerts taking place on the park’s outdoor stage and in the ballroom. After a decline in domestic tourism, Dreamland faced financial struggles, and in 2003, proposals were submitted to close the park and redevelop the site.

A dedicated effort from local residents and widespread heritage enthusiasts resulted in a successful Save Dreamland campaign, securing public funding for the park’s restoration. The park reopened in 2015, celebrating traditional seaside amusement park heritage with vintage rides and entertainment. Today, Dreamland is a place where seaside culture is celebrated, and history is preserved.

Getting to Dreamland

Dreamland is perfectly located on the Margate seafront, easily accessible on foot during a day trip or weekend break to Margate.

Trains from London to Margate run regularly from St Pancras International (approx 1hr40min) and London Victoria (approx. 1hr50min) and Dreamland is just moments from Margate train station.

If you’re driving to Margate, the multi-story Arlington Car Park around the corner from Dreamland costs £10 for a full day’s parking.

Rides and attractions at Dreamland

Don’t expect lots of thrills-a-minute super coasters here – Dreamland is more tailored to your classic, vintage funfair rides than cutting edge scream parks. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t fun to be had for all ages – there’s something about riding a merry-go-round in your twenties or thirties (and beyond) that’s somewhat cathartic.

Sadly, the headline attraction, the scenic railway, is now closed for good. But there’s plenty more to entertain you for a couple of hours – here’s a full list of all the rides on offer at Dreamland.

Classic theme park rides

• Wild River: A 50ft drop log flume, best enjoyed in sunny weather.
• Rock and Roller: Entry-level rollercoaster that whirls you around a short track.
• Dodgems: A classic for a reason. Slightly embarrassing when an eight year old blindsides you.
• Waltzers: Initially, the waltzers felt quite tame, but we screamed because we wanted to go faster, and the ride operator delivered.
• Big Wheel: A 35m big wheel, offering panoramic views of the Margate seafront
• Ghost Train: More silly than actually scary for most adults, but fun with a friend.

Vintage rides

• Gallopers: A vintage merry go round that had me giggling atop my noble steed
• Helter Skelter: A traditional slide that I’ve refused to go on since getting a friction burn on one at the age of five
• Hall of Mirrors: A restored attraction with mirrors dating back as far as the 1920s
• Cups and Saucers: Gentle, rotating cup and saucer ride
• Chair-O-Plane: Authentic, restored 1920s swing carousel ride
• Whirl-Around: Spinning twist ride

Younger children’s rides

• Caterpillar Coaster: Junior roller coaster
• Noah’s Ark: Animal carousel
• Ladybirds: Classic roundabout
• Magic Rockets: Space-themed carousel ride
• Margate Express: Children’s train
• Austin Cars: Miniature roundabout with classic cars

Food and drink at Dreamland

A trip to the funfair just isn’t the same without treats. In particular, candyfloss. At the pastel coloured stand, vanilla sugar was spun into a ball off floss bigger than my head. It was sprinkled with edible sparkles, and topped off with a tropical parrot. The taste of sweet vanilla danced across my tastebuds, leaving a sticky residue on my chin that stayed put for another ride on the merry go round.

While we chose to go outside for our lunchtime fish and chips, Dreamland has plenty of options for food and drinks, including street food vendors and a permanent cafe. When we visited, the street food vendors included burgers, sandwiches, fried chicken and bao buns.

The cafe and street vendors offer options for vegetarian, vegan and gluten free diets.

For a sit down meal instead, check out Cinque Ports next door, for grown-up gastropub vibes.

Dreamland’s Arcades

Growing up by the seaside, when I was too old for the playground but too young for the pub, arcades were my stomping ground. I’d push my pocket money into the change machine, and drop 2ps. I’m too old for pocket money these days, but never too old for 2p machines.

Dreamland’s arcade is my favourite in Margate, with all the classic machines you’d expect. After a few games of Skee-Ball and Down The Clown, I had enough tokens to exchange for a foam glider.

I also fell head-over-heels with the vintage pinball machine arcade. Local enthusiast ‘Pinball Geoff’ has shared his impressive, lovingly-restored retro pinball machine collection with the public, with machines from the 1970s and 1980s taking centre stage, all for 50p a go.

Dreamland’s Roller Disco

Another classic entertainment throwback! Margate’s roller disco rink is loads of fun for just £7 per person (£6 if you have your own skates!)

Art & Gift Shopping

Don’t skip visiting the Dreamland art and gift shop, packed with prints and paintings that perfectly encapsulate the new wave of creativity in town.

Evenings at Dreamland

There’s more to Dreamland than rides and arcades, and during the evening, the venue regularly hosts concerts, comedy nights and cinema screenings. Live music events span a diverse range of genres, with previous performers including Fatboy Slim, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Gorillaz, The Libertines and even Limp Bizkit!

Check the Dreamland website to see what’s coming up.