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Cliftonville, Margate, named as one of the Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World by Time Out

A coastal neighbourhood has been named one of the 'Coolest in the World' to visit.

Cliftonville in Margate came eighth out of 51 locations on Time Out's 2022 travel list, beating destinations in Chile, Chicago, Barcelona and Naples in Italy.

A view from Walpole Bay Hotel in Cliftonville. Picture: Sheila Homespire
A view from Walpole Bay Hotel in Cliftonville. Picture: Sheila Homespire

Released today by the global media and hospitality brand, it's the first time an area of Kent has featured on Time Out's list of hotspots.

Cliftonville has the highest UK ranking, with only four other UK areas securing a place this year.

The Shawlands in Glasgow was number 11, Walthamstow in North East London was number 17, The Northern Quarter in Manchester was number 30 and Kelham Island in Sheffield was placed at number 35.

James Manning, Time Out's travel editor, said: "Margate’s resurgence has been attracting attention from day-trippers and weekend breakers over the last few years.

"But you need to head out to the east from the main promenade and discover Cliftonville.

The Shell Grotto in Cliftonville, Margate
The Shell Grotto in Cliftonville, Margate

"From the tunnels of the Shell Grotto to Walpole Bay tidal pool and the cafés and bars of Northdown Road, it’s worth a visit in its own right thanks to its offbeat attractions and community ethos.

"When we travel, we don’t want homogenised experiences – we want to get stuck into local life, and Cliftonville is perfect for that.

"It deserves to be on the map for travellers – both from across the UK and further afield."

Time Out has named Colonia Americana in Guadalajara in Mexico as the Coolest Neighbourhood in the World to visit right now.

Cais do Sodré in Lisbon was selected as Time Out’s second coolest place to be and Wat Bo Village in Siem Reap in Cambodia followed at number three.

Walpole Bay tidal pool
Walpole Bay tidal pool

"While Margate’s Old Town delivers a good old-fashioned British seaside day out, Cliftonville buzzes with a different kind of energy," Time Out explains.

"It’s home to one of the UK’s most thriving artistic communities, largely due to an influx of creative ex-Londoners who’ve flocked to the area’s affordable housing and studio spaces, plus the massive tidal ocean pool at Walpole Bay.

"The neighbourhood’s spine is Northdown Road, which is a block back from the coast and stretches from the Old Town to Palm Bay.

"Until recently a parade of charity shops and bookies, Northdown is now home to record shops, cafés and conscious groceries, as well as game-changing community-funded venues like queer bar CAMP and gallery Quench."

Compass jellyfish in Walpole Bay. Picture: Rebecca Douglas
Compass jellyfish in Walpole Bay. Picture: Rebecca Douglas

The hospitality brand even revealed the area's perfect day.

Time Out told its readers: "Wake at the iconic Walpole Bay Hotel and walk along the beach to the Dalby Café for the town’s best fry-up.

"From there, explore the Margate Caves and the mesmerising Shell Grotto before grabbing an epic focaccia sandwich at Forts.

"Browse Northdown Road’s vintage shops and galleries, stopping for drinks at Margate Off License and Daisy, before a boogie at Margate Arts Club."

Time Out also made a note of Margate Pride which takes place in August every year.

The philosophy behind Time Out’s list is to help travellers "get under the skin of the world’s most distinctive city neighbourhoods".

Dave Calhoun, chief content officer, said: “We ask international Time Out users and our global team of local Time Out journalists to nominate the areas of cities which have the best mix of cutting-edge culture, affordable food and drink, street life, nightlife and community.

"They are not homogenised, corporate destinations but areas which have an independent and welcoming vibe.

"You may be able to walk across them in half an hour or less but they are packed with experiences which you can spend time exploring”.

As well as Margate, it is the first time that a neighbourhood in Guadalajara, Siem Reap, Santiago, Doha, Brisbane, Sheffield, Nairobi, Marseille, Naples, Auckland, Puerto Vallarta, San Juan and San Diego has made it on to the list.

Some other neighbourhoods on Time Out’s list of places which UK travellers like to visit for city breaks include Neukölln in Berlin, Sants in Barcelona, Barrio de Las Letras in Madrid, Vesterbro in Copenhagen, Letná, Prague, Noord in Amsterdam, Pragati in Athens, Haut-Marais in Paris, Moda in Istanbul and Stoneybatter in Dublin.

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