United Kingdom

Jordan Stephens

Margate

Arguably the best coffee in Margate. Right by the best part of the beach too, just off the beaten track. Most importantly though - best croissants. The owner Will has got good taste. Also the eggs on toast for breakfast is spot on.

Best fish and chips in the UK. I say that with chest. I don’t know how. Haddock and chips for a fiver what more can you ask for?

My favourite place to get a roast. My preference is chicken. Black owned. Lovely staff. Studios built underneath so slowly turning into a creative hub too. Very exciting.

Definitely the most abstract cafe food and drink wise in Margate. Full of fusion. They do a coffee lemonade which is surprisingly refreshing.

The OG. A Caribbean fusion restaurant in the heart of Margate old town. Bringing the taste of Barbados into red tab Britain. Everyone loves it. I will eat everything on the menu.

Refreshing Food Spots in Margate with Jordan Stephens

Paul Camo

There are a few really good art galleries and spaces here in Margate: Carl Freeman, Quench Gallery, Crate and Penthouse Margate – to name a few. But I'm picking out Well Projects as my tip. It's about three quarters of the way up Northdown Road in Cliftonville and it's an artist-led gallery. [It] always has very interesting, curated exhibitions from emerging artists, which can range from video and sound installations, performances and talks to sculpture, ceramics, paintings and print-based work.

Situated at the foot of the high street, in a small shopping area called The Centre. Elsewhere is a brilliant live music venue, record shop and bar. It's been a champion of both independent and local bands since it opened, but has also become a choice venue for a lot of better known acts too. I have to give a shout out to Sammy (Arts Cool), who is responsible for a lot of what I love about Elsewhere. We must support local independent venues.

Dalby's is a bit of a Margate institute. Simply put, it serves up a banging fry up. Perfect for a Sunday morning breakfast after a big night out.

If fry ups aren't your thing, go check Forts out. The coffee is so good, everything on the food menu is also banging. You basically can't go wrong with any choice.

Sargasso is a great restaurant out on the harbour arm, opposite the old town. It is run by the team behind Brawn in London. They have a lot of locally-sourced produce, the wine list is on point and they're now doing the most gorgeous soft serve. Be sure to book in advance as it's a popular one due to its beautifully executed and delicious menu, and buzzing atmosphere.

My favourite place to get a drink has got to be Rose in June, run by legendary landlord and all-round top guy Deke. Before I moved to Margate, Deke used to run my favourite London pub, Three Kings, in Clerkenwell. Rose in June is a little off the beaten track, which I like; it's cosy, authentic and [has a] well-curated interior with a nice, old-school vibe. They also serve some great grub. It's worth checking Deke's new spot, Off Licence, which is a smaller bar opposite the Lido tower.

If you've got time, you've got to check out the Shell Grotto. If you haven't got time, make time. It's not something you'll experience very often. It's a subterranean grotto that was discovered in 1835 and is covered with 4.6 million shells. Little is known about the Shell Grotto's reason for being, but one thing is for sure – it's quite amazing. Whilst you're at it, also go visit the Margate Caves which is nearby.

Run by two local legends, Rae and Cynthia, Werkhaus is an expertly curated shop of modern utilitarian womenswear and vintage garments on High St. The shop used to be an old launderette. The High St has seen an influx of independent shops popping up in recent years. Whilst visiting Werkhaus, it's also worth popping into Margate Gift Store, Kill Me Now and L'Absurde.

A Weekend Break to Margate With Paul Camo

Queer Bruk

London

Incredible beach with an amazingly (and somewhat surprisingly) diverse and safe atmosphere. Margate is rich with culture that is slowly but surely becoming more diverse, making it a great place for people of colour and LGBTQ+ people. 


Swim Level: Beginner

Public Transport:  Yes 

Facilities: Lifeguard 

Stanborough Park is a 126 acre plot of land that has two lakes that are beautiful. While swimming isn’t allowed, it’s an amazing place to take part in canoeing, kayaking and other water sports - Welwyn is still relatively close to London, also!

Swim Level: Not for Swimming 

Public Transport: Yes

Facilities: Yes


Trent Park is personally near and dear to my heart, I've had my birthday party underneath the same tree since I was one year old (with the exception of a couple of years) and the place is amazing! Located in North London (Cockfosters), the park is 413 acres and there are many bodies of water. It’s a truly amazing place that is transformative and peaceful.

Swim Level: Not for swimming 

Public Transport:  Yes

Facilities: No 

Cool Off From the Clubs with Queer Bruk’s Water Spots

Ayo Akinwolere

Manchester

The tidal pool in Margate was my very first taste of freedom in the in the open water.
It offers a relatively controlled environment because it's obviously got sides to it. It was also the first moment I shared with swimming with other people. It's a really special place for me and one I go to just swim freely without any objective.

This was the place I hosted my first swimming related project, the Swim Challenge. It was so special to see people who weren't able to swim come and take on this swim with me with the help of the guys from Swimdem.

It's just a wonderful beach just off of a 30 mile stretch of Kent coast. And it's just a space of natural beauty with the chalk rock and this amazing keyhole that you can explore when the tides low. It's also a great place to swim no matter the time of the year.

This is my little London Getaway in south London. Its a really beautiful and one of the most underused pools in London I think- but I kind of like it that way. 

Ayo Akinwolere's Guide to Connecting with Nature in the UK

Swim Dem Crew

Brighton

We love taking trips to Brighton’s lesser-talked about beach in Saltdean as it’s got plenty of space and less crowding, it’s more local. It’s just a 10 minute bus journey or drive from Brighton centre. A huge bonus of this beach is that Saltdean Lido is less than 100 metres away, providing you with a beautiful art-deco backdrop to your swim and all the facilities that come with a swimming pool (changing rooms, toilets, café). Saltdean Beach is pebbled, like it’s cousin in Brighton, but don’t let that dampen your experience of the crashing waves and tame (by the UKs standards) sounds of seagulls. It’s a place where you can set up shop with your friends for the day in the summer and enter the water at your own pace. While the stones may make your walk to the water less graceful than you’d like, you’re still in control when compared to some other locations. The water will be refreshing and the seaview on a clear day is incredible. On your way back to Brighton, consider having a meal at Curry Leaf Cafe for a quick bite or Little Fish Market for fancy seafood.

Swim Level: Beginner

Public Transport:  Yes 

Facilities: Lifeguard  

We visit Margate regularly as a crew when the sun decides to show its face for long enough. The town has been through a regeneration-turned-gentrification sparked by the Turner Contemporary being built and new money hipsters trying to replicate what they saw happening across under-funded boroughs in London on the seaside. That’s brought many challenges for Margate's locals who either can’t get on the property ladder or simply don’t want to, rent is increasing and new homes aren’t being built. It means that for visitors like us, we get to see different communities working and living side by side…for now. Margate has two popular tidal pools. The first is just a few minutes walk from the train station and very much a part of the seaside fun that takes place on hot days, the pool is enclosed so as the tide retreats in the afternoon, there is still plenty of water nearby to get a few laps in. We prefer Walpole Bay pool, which is either a half hour walk from Margate station or a five minute drive. This pool has an all important beach entry and small beach area so tends to be much less busy than Margate’s pool. Expect refreshing water, kids crabbing and seasoned swimming vets all sharing the same space. We challenge you to spend a day there to see the pool appear and disappear as the tide comes in and out, there’s something beautiful about that natural process. Margate has a great food scene with plenty of variety, head to Sargasso for refreshing small plates, Angela’s for the best seafood you’ll ever eat, or their sister restaurant Dory’s for a more casual vibe but similar quality. 


Swim Level: Beginner 

Public Transport:  Yes 

Facilities: No 

We first visited Frensham Ponds in Farnham in 2021 as a part of us trying to find exciting places outside of London to Swim in and the ponds delivered on that many times over. Of all the places to swim for us, this one is filled with a sense of adventure as it's located in a green with huge trees and rich wildlife. Bring a packed lunch for the day and find a spot along the sand to make your home for the day. Frensham has very calm waters as it’s a lake and two designated swimming areas with a gradual increase in depth as you go further out. We think this is the perfect place to practise floating as it’s such a low pressure place to swim, you’ll most likely be surrounded by families enjoying the weather and water and definitely will not see any elite athletes swimming through the lake. When floating, the key is to remain calm, regulate your breathing and stretch your body out. As you head back to Farnham station, be sure to check out the Plough, it’s a lovely pub with live music most days and is run by a Black musician who also keeps chickens in the garden for delicious eggs. 

Swim Level: Beginner

Public Transport: No 

 Facilities: No 

Hampstead Heath is home to three swimming ponds, the Ladies, Mens and Mixed ponds are oases in hot summer days and fortresses of solitude in colder weather, with backdrops of comforting willow trees to sooth your inner self. We love to swim there knowing that you’re able to experience floating around on your back or swimming through slightly murky waters without having to leave the City, which is truly special. If Hampstead is too far north for you, consider coming with us down south to Beckenham Place Park for a dip. It’s one of the few ponds that has air filtration which helps to keep the water extra fresh too. You can even give paddle-boarding a try while there and head up to the grounds to see a movie at their outdoor cinema during the summer. 


Swim Level: Beginner 

Public Transport: Yes

 Facilities: Yes

Heated lidos are actually quite a luxury, while London holds a few of them, we won’t be focusing on them because we think there are so many benefits to having a relationship with cold water. The cold water brings a presence of thought and strengthens the connection between body and mind through the odd sensations you feel, it’s so hard to describe, that’s why you must try it for yourself! So don’t be afraid to go to south London's Brockwell Lido for a dip that will make you feel truly awake, followed by a munch at their amazing cafe. Or head to Tooting Bec Lido that will recreate swimming in the sea as the pool is nearly 100 metres long! Lastly, consider one of the most beautiful lidos in the UK, Parliament Hill Lido with it’s metallic basin (we thought this was done to heat the water up, but it was actually installed to reduce maintenance time as there are no tiles) which also boasts a cafe that has great falafel wraps and traditional breakfast scran. 

Swim Level: Beginner

Public Transport: Yes 

 Facilities: Yes 

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Where To Go Open Water Swimming in Margate 

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Where To Go Open Water Swimming in Margate