Run to the sun!

Our pick of traditional UK summer getaways, with some alternative activities away from the beach

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MARGATE

Cool meets kitsch at this classic seaside destination with a contemporary edge

AT THE SEASIDE...

Within easy reach of the capital (trains from central London take an hour and 40 minutes), Margate’s golden sands have been luring visitors to the seaside since the 18th century. Traditional attractions include the Main Sands, where you can swim and build sandcastles between trips to the amusement arcades that line the beach.

Find family fun at Dreamland Margate (dreamland.co.uk), with plenty of fairground rides and a retro Roller Disco. For something novel, enjoy a beach sauna (seascrubsauna.co.uk) before braving a cold-water immersion. Sea swimmers can head east to Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, thought to be the UK’s largest sea pool. And why not hire bikes (margatebikesandhire.co.uk) and try the Viking Coastal Trail, running for 32 miles between Margate and Ramsgate?

Buoy and Oyster (buoyandoyster.com) has great seafood and Sunday roasts.

Stay at

■Birchington Vale Holiday Park

> parkholidays.com

■Nethercourt Touring Park

> nethercourt.com

EAT WELL

Explore an eclectic selection of dining options

SARGASSO

Informal wine bar offering an excellent menu of delicious fresh seafood

> sargasso.bar

SÈTE

Modern European restaurant with a superb choice of small plates

> setemargate.com

BOTTEGA CARUSO

High-quality Italian eatery serving small plates and pasta

> bottegacaruso.com