Skip to main content
Visit Kent Business
Kentlogolandscape 2025 Black Visit Kent
  • See and Do
    • Search for Things to Do
    • Castles
    • Stately Homes and Houses
    • Active and Outdoors
    • Cycling in Kent Walking in Kent
    • Tours and Guided Walks
    • Beaches
    • Blue flag beaches
    • Family
    • Animal Parks and Adventures Rainy day ideas
    • Art and Culture
    • Museums Art and culture festivals
    • Shopping and Well-being
    • Dog friendly
    • Dog friendly walks Dog friendly places to eat and drink Dog friendly beaches Dog friendly accommodation
  • Stay and Eat
    • Search for Places to Stay
    • Holiday Letting Agencies Hotels Self Catering B&Bs Camping and Caravanning Holiday Parks Campus Accommodation Hostels
    • Cosy winter breaks
    • Dog-friendly accommodation
    • Best Beach Breaks In Kent
    • Amazing places to stay
    • Sustainable breaks in East Kent
    • Sustainable breaks in West Kent
    • Sustainable breaks in North Kent
    • Autumn breaks
    • Driving-free breaks
    • Search for Places to Eat
    • Vineyards
    • Dog-friendly places to eat and drink
    • Flavours of autumn
    • Vineyards and breweries by train
    • Award-winning restaurants
    • Farmers markets
    • Al-fresco dining
  • Destinations
    • Introduction to North Kent
    • Gravesend Faversham, Isle of Sheppey and Sittingbourne Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham
    • Introduction to West Kent
    • Ashford and Tenterden Maidstone Sevenoaks District Tonbridge & Malling Tunbridge Wells
    • Introduction to East Kent
    • Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable Dover, Deal and Sandwich Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate
  • Inspiration
  • Getting Here
    • Travel Information
    • Getting to Kent Travelling Around Kent Driving in the UK Accessible Kent Visitor Information Centres Study in Kent Exploring Kent car-free
    • Visiting Kent for Business?
    • Travelling with Good Journey

Search our site

Kentlogolandscape 2025 Black Visit Kent
See and Do Stay and Eat Destinations Inspiration Getting Here
Visit Kent Business
  1. Home
  2. See and Do
  3. Search for Things to Do
  4. Margate Caves
Margate Caves 28 Credit Tourism At Thanet District Council

Margate Caves

Web Links Location Pricing Local station Margate Times
Arts, Culture and Entertainment
Heritage and Gardens
Family

**ONLY OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS IN NEVERLAND UNTIL 29th DECEMBER**

Open: 29th December - 4th January 11am-4pm then Friday-Sunday 11am-4pm

The Margate Caves were originally dug as a chalk quarry in the 17th and 18th centuries, and are 94.2m long and 12.2m tall at the highest point. Originally opened to the public in 1863, the Caves re-opened for the next generation of explorers on Thursday 22nd August, 2019.

Over the previous eight years, The Margate Caves Community Education Trust (TMCCET) and the Friends of Margate Caves worked to restore the Caves to their former glory, building a brand new Visitor Centre on the previously abandoned site.

After visiting the Caves, browse the gift shop and stop off at the community café, popular locally for selling a range of delicious dishes.

Last entry is 30 minutes before closing; to fully appreciate the Caves you should allow around 45 minutes for your visit.

IMG 20190822 101749
IMG 20190822 103212
IMG 20190822 103937
Margate Caves. Credit Frank Leppard

Access Information 

The Access Statement and visual story have changed due to the current circumstances; please find these below.

Due to the nature of the Caves, they are not accessible to wheelchair users or to anyone with significant mobility problems. Access is via two sets of stairs, both with handrails, followed by a steep, narrow, low-ceilinged tunnel.

Once in the Caves, the floor is uneven and there are steep steps to access certain areas. Assistance dogs are welcome of course, but no other dogs are allowed in the Caves. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the garden.

The Visitor Centre – including the shop, café, toilets, and community rooms for hire – is fully accessible. There are large-print versions of the exhibition available to download - please contact info@margatecaves.co.uk.

Access information on website here

  • Santa's Grotto Margate Caves

    Christmas at the Caves (29Nov-23Dec)

    29th November - 23rd December 2025

Pricing

Full Price
Adult
£5
Child
£2.50
Concession
£4
Under 4's
FREE
Family (2 adults/2 children)
£12

Open Map

Address

Margate Caves Margate Caves
1 Northdown Road

Margate

Kent

CT9 1QH

Contact

info@margatecaves.co.uk 01843 838048

Links

  • Website
  • accessibility Accessibility

Opening Times

Friday - Sunday 11am - 4pm

Accessible toilets
Groups welcome
Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs and Registered Assistance Dogs welcome
Restaurant / Cafe / Tea shop
Shop
Step-free access

You may also be interested in

Dover Castle Family EH
Family

The Best Things to Do in Kent This February Half Term 2026

Whether you're locals looking for something new or families discovering Kent for the first time, we've rounded up some brilliant family activities and things to do in Kent this February half term 2026.
Pexels Ann H 45017 32417524
Arts, Culture and Entertainment

Kent in 2026: A Year to Remember

If you're planning a visit to Kent in 2026, you're in for an extraordinary year. From the highly anticipated opening of THE PIG at Groombridge Place to the return of Lovebox Festival at Dreamland Margate, Kent's events calendar is packed with unmissable experiences. Whether you're looking for luxury spa breaks, music festivals, literary heritage trails, or traditional countryside shows, the Garden of England has something special waiting for you.
Autumn at Penshurst Place.jpg
Family

October half term 2025

October half term in Kent is 18th October – 27th October so if you’re getting ready to plan your perfect family autumn escape, we’ve got it covered.
Sans Titre
Artboard 4
Accommodation
Experience
Experience
Heritage and Gardens
Heritage and Gardens

Plan your autumn break in Kent

Leaf-crunching walks, vibrant views, auburn leaves and gorgeous sunsets, take one look at our Instagram feed come 1st October and you’ll soon see that an autumn weekend break in Kent is absolutely glorious.
f5c4a6b1-f6e7-4f88-9688-255d4a02c211-DINE WITH SANTA IMG.jpg
Special Holidays/Seasons
Family

Best places to visit Santa in Kent 2025

We’ve compiled a list of some of the best Santa experiences in Kent that (at the time of writing) still have availability. Make sure you book your visit in advance to avoid disappointment!
Untitled (2)
Special Holidays/Seasons
Shopping
Family
Food & Drink

Christmas Markets by Train

Make your Christmas both magical and eco-friendly by visiting one of Kent's best Christmas markets by train. With more than just presents and stocking fillers, you're sure to find something special and unique at these traditional winter markets.
Dreamland 800X800
Destination
Active and Outdoors
Arts, Culture and Entertainment
Food & Drink
Family
Experience
Experience

What's on in Kent this August

Discover the best events in Kent this August—from castle musicals and food festivals to folk music, vintage motors, and a floatplane inside Rochester Cathedral. Plan your summer getaway now!
Halloween At Hever
Family
Special Holidays/Seasons

Halloween in Kent

From ghost tours, to haunted castles, Kent is about to turn truly chilling! Check out the scariest Halloween events in Kent...if you dare.
kcc_logo.png
Visit Kent
Our other sites

Visit Ashford and Tenterden Visit Thanet - Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate Visit Swale Visit Medway Visit Gravesham Visit Canterbury
Our Destinations

Ashford & Tenterden Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable Dover, Deal & Sandwich Gravesend and the Borough of Gravesham Maidstone Margate, Broadstairs & Ramsgate Rochester, Chatham & Gillingham Sevenoaks Tonbridge and Malling Tunbridge Wells
Site Accessibility Data Protection
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF VISIT KENT