A swing ride at Dreamland in Margate
the bar at Albion House in Ramsgate
After decades in the doldrums, Kent’s Isle of Thanet has seen something of a renaissance of late, and now is the perfect time to appreciate its charms off-season. Margate led the pack, with the opening of the Turner Contemporary gallery and nostalgic Dreamland theme park, while the low-key charm of Broadstairs is converting more and more visitors. Hot on their heels is Ramsgate. This is nowhere more apparent than at Albion House. The Regency property, perched proud above the harbour, has changed quite a bit since Queen Victoria stayed here as a girl. The fine bones of the building remain, such as typically tall Georgian windows through which to admire the sea views, but are now complemented by design that sings of the 21st century: marble-clad bathrooms, pocketsprung mattresses, and a rich colour palette that refects the changing colour of the sea. Eclectic collections of art draw the eye in every room, particularly in the bar and superb, double-aspect dining room.