The seaside town of Margate in Kent has based its livelihood on the sea
since its beginnings. It was one of the first places to be developed as
a seaside resort in the Georgian era. Margate's sandy beaches became
popular with Londoners first with the advent of steam packets in 1815
and even more so after the railways arrived later in the nineteenth
century. The changing pattern of holidaying in the UK led to a decline
in the fortunes of Margate in the latter years of the twentieth century,
but in recent times the town has seen an upsurge including new
developments such as the Turner Contemporary Gallery. In this book
author Andy Bull reveals the hidden history of Margate, from the
foundation of the world's first sea-bathing hospital and the playground
of Regency royalty, to the creation of Dreamland. This town has been the
haunt of artists, writers and actors, and boasts the most haunted
theatre in the country and the first modern bungalow. Secret Margate
explores the lesser-known episodes and characters of the town through
the centuries, and will appeal to all those with an interest in the
history of this town in Kent.
