Filming on Margate Seafront

A seaside town on the southeast coast of England has been a beloved tourism hotspot for decades. Margate has been a coastal resort since the 18th century when the growth of leisure travel and sea bathing began, and attracted people to the Kent coast. With the arrival of railways in the 19th century, Margate owned its huge tourism appeal with sandy beaches and the Dreamland amusement park. Alongside this the town has a strong cultural history with the likes of J.M.W. Turner and T.S. Elliott.

The seafront is dotted with iconic landmarks. The main sands has always been a focal point for visitors with sweeping beaches, whilst the Harbour Arm & Tidal Pool showcase the maritime heritage. Added to this there is the Sands cafe on the beach and the Nayland Rock Shelter. All of this has helped bring TV and film production companies to the area, ranging from Only Fools and Horses and Last Resort, to more recent work like Sam Mendes' Empire of Light. With this blend of faded grandeur, coastal charm and artistic revival, it continues to attract film makers making the area a cultural tourism attraction and a living film set.

A view of Margate seafront taken from the harbour arm.

Nayland Rock Shelter

The Grade II listed Victorian seafront shelter on Margate’s promenade, is one of the town’s most recognisable architectural features. Built in the early 20th century, the shelter was put in for tourists to sit and enjoy the sea views and architecture on the seafront. With its striking ironwork and curved roof, there is a quaint nostalgic charm that resonates with the town’s history of leisure and tourism. The shelter was also where T.S. Elliott sat in the winter of 1921 and wrote Part III of 'The Waste Land'. In recent years, the shelter has gained renewed cultural significance through film. Most notably, it served as a key location in Empire of Light, where it provided a poignant backdrop for reflection of the characters with a faint sense of melancholy. The shelter has also been used in series 4 of Killing Eve as well as the music video for Self Esteem's 'Moody'. The shelter’s cinematic presence has cemented it as not only a beloved local landmark but also an evocative piece of Britain’s filmic landscape.

Western Promenade & Marine Terrace

Western Promenade and Marine Terrace form the central stretch of Margate’s seafront, linking the town’s sweeping Main Sands beach with the tourism hotspots including Dreamland and the various museums and galleries. Their blend of faded Victorian grandeur and coastal vibrancy has made them attractive to filmmakers seeking an authentic seaside backdrop. Once again it was Sam Mendes who prominently used Marine Terrace to frame key exterior shots, for Empire of Light, around the Dreamland Cinema showcasing the area’s nostalgic character and architectural charm. Western Promenade has been seen in Killing Eve and the Channel 4 series Big boys. Marine Terrace was also seen in Dreamland and Rag'n'Bone Man's music video for 'Pocket'.

Main Sands & Tidal Pool

Margate Main Sands, with its golden beach and sweeping views of the North Sea, has been the heart of the town’s seaside appeal for centuries. Adjacent to the sands lies the historic tidal pool, one of the largest in the country, built in 1937 to provide safe swimming regardless of the tide. Both landmarks capture the essence of Margate’s identity as a traditional holiday destination, offering a nostalgic reminder of Britain’s seaside heyday. Their picturesque quality has also made them popular with filmmakers, often chosen for its combination of natural beauty and cultural resonance, reinforcing Margate’s enduring place in both seaside history and screen storytelling. With Empire of Light, Dreamland and Only Fools and Horses, to name a few who have filmed on the sands.

Sands Cafe

The Sands Café, perched along the town’s famous seafront, is a classic seaside eatery that has the quaint charm of a classic British cafe. With its simple, retro styling overlooking the beach, the café has long been a popular stop for visitors seeking fish and chips, ice creams, or a cup of tea with a sea view. The café’s presence on screen not only highlights its place in local culture but also the authentic charm of these small places. So make sure you look out for it in Killing Eve Series 4, Empire of Light and an episode of Eastenders.

Kings Steps

The sweeping stone staircase that leads directly from Margate’s town centre down to the seafront, is one of the town’s most distinctive historic features. Constructed in the early 19th century to improve access to the beach and harbour, the steps quickly became a focal point for visitors arriving to enjoy the sands and sea air. The King’s Steps also found a place in cinema when they were featured in Killing Eve, Jellyfish, Dreamland and 'Moody' from Self Esteem. The location’s blend of historic charm and atmospheric coastal setting has helped it stand out on screen, reinforcing Margate’s reputation as a town where heritage and filmic storytelling intertwine.

Harbour Arm

Margate Harbour Arm, jutting out into the sea from the town’s historic harbour, has long been a landmark of both maritime industry and seaside leisure. Once used for trade and fishing, the arm has in recent years been revitalised with cafés, bars, galleries, and spots for visitors to enjoy panoramic views of Margate’s coastline and famous sunsets. Its rugged charm and open seascape have also made it a popular filming location. Its cinematic appeal lies in the way it captures Margate’s dual identity—rooted in history yet alive with cultural renewal—making it both a beloved community hub and a striking backdrop for stories on screen. It can be seen in:

• Big Boys

• Killing Eve

• King of Thieves

• Last Resort

• Only Fools and Horses

• Two Weeks to Live

Filming in Margate has become an important part of the town’s modern identity, blending seamlessly with its rich seaside heritage and cultural revival. From its historic promenades and shelters to its beaches, tidal pool, and harbour, Margate offers filmmakers a unique combination of nostalgia, atmosphere, and striking coastal scenery. Productions like Empire of Light have showcased these qualities to global audiences, reaffirming the town’s cinematic appeal and helping to cement Margate as not only a destination for visitors but also a place where history, community, and storytelling come vividly to life on screen.