The picture perfect seaside amusement park! A one stop shop of culture, food, festival fun and amusement park rides. Granny will say ‘this takes me back’ and the little ones will squeal ‘again, again!’
Considered to be one of the oldest-surviving amusement parks in Great Britain, the site of Dreamland (as it was re-named in 1920) dates back to the British railway boom of the early 1870s when, in its original form, the ‘Hall by the Sea’ was operated by the famous circus impresario ‘Lord’ George Sanger.
Dreamland opens, after being snapped up by John Henry Iles, who set about transforming it into a pleasure garden and amusement park with the iconic Scenic Railway as its centrepiece.
In 1949 the Scenic Railway caught fire with at least half the structure lost. It was rebuilt with timbers sourced from Lowescroft Pier.
The Rolling Stones played at Dreamland in 1963! Then, in 1969 a safari park opened at Dreamland on the Magic Garden site, where Sanger had his original pleasure garden and animal collection – with elephants, camels and penguins.
Over the early part of the 20th century, the park thrived as a popular visitor attraction and music venue with Margate remaining a hugely popular vacation spot for Londoners. But the town and park’s popularity waned in the 1970s and 1980s as more Brits chose to holiday abroad – but there are plenty of people around today with fond memories of the then-named Bembom Brothers Theme Park!
In 1989 Dreamland and Margate was put on the map again by the hugely popular TV series, Only Fools & Horses, as the hilarious episode, The Jolly Boys Outing screened on BBC.
Fast forward to 2003, when a plan to close the park triggered a ‘Save Dreamland’ campaign by locals and amusement park enthusiasts, whose successful campaigning led to securing £18m public funding to restore Dreamland and its jewels: the Grade II*-listed Scenic Railway, Grade II*-listed cinema complex and Grade II-listed menagerie cages.
Thanet District Council compulsorily-purchased the site in September 2013 and work began to restore the iconic Scenic Railway and the park. Capitalising on Margate’s swiftly growing reputation as a brand new capital of British cool, Dreamland Margate reopened in June 2015 with a wealth of new and rejuvenated features set to redefine ‘a day out at the seaside’.
Following significant additional investment in 2017, the amusement park was re-landscaped and expanded to provide a space that brings together lovingly restored vintage rides, art installations, eclectic street food, unique bars and a bumper programme of live events.
We’re the pride of Margate, the UK’s unofficial capital of cool. And so much more than just an amusement park. Dreamland is where ‘age’ is left at the gate. Strap on some roller skates, or get interactive with art exhibits and treat yourself to all the classic seaside food favourites from our vendors.
Fast becoming Kent’s coolest music venue, we’ve got a packed programme featuring a great line up of artists to keep you entertained. There’s something for everyone, from bouncing DJ nights to outdoor festival style fun. 2022, saw our iconic Scenic Stage play host to the likes of Tom Grennan, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Paul Weller, Craig David, Mitski, the Beach Boys and Simply Red to name a few!
With an exciting diary of events already planned for 2023, we can’t wait to welcome you all to Dreamland.
Dreamland is committed to supporting the local community and working closely with our neighbours.
The famous British seaside destination, and unofficial capital of cool. Everyone’s heading to Margate!
Plan your day out and check out what’s going on at Dreamland
