- published: 27 Jul 2013
- views: 263294
Coordinates: 51°23′06″N 1°23′02″E / 51.3850°N 1.3838°E / 51.3850; 1.3838
Margate is a seaside town in the district of Thanet in East Kent, England. It lies 38.1 miles (61.3 km) east-northeast of Maidstone, on the coast along the North Foreland, and contains the areas of Cliftonville, Garlinge, Palm Bay and Westbrook.
Margate was recorded as "Meregate" in 1264 and as "Margate" in 1299, but the spelling continued to vary into modern times. The name is thought to refer to a pool gate or gap in a cliff where pools of water are found, often allowing swimmers to jump in. The cliffs of the Isle of Thanet are composed of chalk, a fossil-bearing rock.
The town's history is tied closely to the sea and it has a proud maritime tradition. Margate was a "limb" of Dover in the ancient confederation of the Cinque ports. It was added to the confederation in the 15th century. Margate has been a leading seaside resort for at least 250 years. Like its neighbour Ramsgate, it has been a traditional holiday destination for Londoners drawn to its sandy beaches. Margate had a Victorian pier which was largely destroyed by a storm in 1978.
Well, I'll be working hard to reach me target,
To earn a few bob for a day trip down to Margate.
I'm gonna blow the lot tomorrow on all me family,
We catch the coach at eight,
So don't be late,
We're off to see the sea.
Del: Behave yourself Uncle Albert
Rodney: Or you won't be going
Down to Margate,
Don't forget your buckets and spades and cossies and all.
Down to Margate,
We'll have a pill of jellied eels at the cockle stall.
We'll go on the pier and we'll have a beer at the side of
the sea.
Down to Margate,
You can keep the costa Brava,
I'm telling you mate, I'd rather
Have a day down Margate with all me family.
Yeah!
[Instrumental]
You can keep the costa Brava and all that palava
Del: Goin' to Brava.
Rodney: Del, I'd rather,