The best light in Europe!
Posted on 2016-11-01 (4433 VIEWS)
Did you know William Turner thought that Margate had the best light in Europe? Neither did we until a last minute get away to this English seaside town late last year. If you're looking for a photo friendly kind of get-a-way, we can highly recommend it.
Blessed with amazing winter sunshine we put the Nikon D3300 to the test whilst exploring the sea shore, boutique shops, cafes and old market town. We also caught on camera the faded dilapidation from its former years as a holiday hotspot and enjoyed the glory of Turner at the fabulous Turner Contemporary - Free entry!
The light in Margate is indeed stunning. Keep your camera to hand and before you know it there will be something interesting to photograph. We spent hours walking along the expansive sandy shell-filled beach and wondering around the historic streets snapping away. An overnight stay is just long enough to visit the Tudor House Museum, and the weird and wonderful Shell Grotto or just ponder what life is like for the residents.
Here's our pick of Margates best:
Sands Hotel: Awesome views over the sea front, beautiful bedrooms, lovely food and cocktails, friendly staff, generally a great stay.
BeBeached Cafe: We reckon we could eat the haloumi salad every day for a month.
Mala Kaffe: Best to plan to arrive here at the end of a long sandy walk.
The Cupcake Cafe: Tastiest toasties ever.
Mor: Pop here for lovely design buys after a visit to the Turner Contemporary (Did you know mor is the Welsh word for sea?)
Chas and Dave were on to something: "You can keep the Costa Brava and all that palava, going no farther, me i’d rather have me a day down Margate with all me family". If you go "Down to Margate", make sure you send us your pictures and we will publish them here and on our Facebook page.
The view from the 3rd floor of the Sands Hotel is breathtaking. Take your time to watch the tide cycle in and out. © Peter Levenspiel
The view of the Sands Hotel from the sandy beach isn't so bad either. © Peter Levenspiel
The light really is amazing! Lots of opportunity here for landscape and streetscape shutter bugs. © Peter Levenspiel
There are plenty of interesting details to find just wondering the back streets of Margate. © Peter Levenspiel
Watch how the light and tide change so dramatically over the space of a few hours. © Peter Levenspiel
Architecture buffs will love the Turner Contemporary. The juxtaposition between old and new is fascinating. © Peter Levenspiel
The outside of the gallery is inspiring. © Peter Levenspiel
The inside of the gallery is inspiring! © Peter Levenspiel
INDEX TO ARTICLES
Shoot Products Like A Pro >
2020-07-15 By Phil Sills
Finding the right photo book for your pictures >
2019-10-31 By Flavio Longato
Cambridge by camera >
2019-02-08 By Peter Levenspiel
Hooray for the V&A >
2018-10-30 By Peter Levenspiel
Nitecore All Weather Adventure Backpack review >
2018-07-06 By James MacDonald
100 years of camera history >
2018-06-25 By Leonardo Stone
Form & Function by Chloe Rosser >
2018-06-08 By Peter Levenspiel
Check this amazing footage from the Wiral Lite >
2018-05-31 By Leonardo Stone
Interview: Clare Hewitt, Portrait of Britain Winner >
2018-04-23 By Peter Levenspiel
Make your own cyanotype photogram >
2018-04-12 By Peter Levenspiel
Video review: Starter ND filter kit >
2018-03-12 By Peter Levenspiel
Getting started: DIY product photography >
2018-02-04 By Peter Levenspiel
Photographers heaven? >
2018-02-03 By Leonardo Stone
The Zkin Kampe, a bag for life? >
2018-02-02 By Liz Taylor
Into the Woods: Trees in photography at the V&A >
2018-01-30 By Peter Levenspiel
Running, gunning and shooting from the hip! >
2017-10-31 By James Macdonald
Getting the most out of your Interfit reflector >
2017-10-17 By Paul Stillman
Video review: Lens Rims form easyCover >
2017-09-27 By Peter Levenspiel
Destination: Lens Lab visits Lewes >
2017-08-23 By Peter Levenspiel
Peak Design slide strap - This one’s from the hip! >
2017-07-18 By James Macdonald
What to shoot in Madrid >
2017-06-06 By Peter Levenspiel
The basics of manual camera controls explained >
2017-03-30 By Peter Levenspiel
Wobble free Wimberley Head Mark II >
2017-03-22 By Paul Stillman
The joy of wildlife photography >
2017-03-21 By Paul Stillman
Grow your garden photography skills >
2017-02-22 By Peter Levenspiel
Portsmouth: A photo friendly getaway destination >
2017-02-19 By Peter Levenspiel
Slow down time with ND filters >
2017-02-16 By James McDonald
The 600mm Sigma with pulling power >
2017-02-05 By Paul Stillman
The beast that does it all - well almost! >
2017-02-01 By James McDonald
Photographing birds of prey >
2017-01-14 By Peter Levenspiel
What the F? >
2017-01-04 By Peter Levenspiel
The best light in Europe! >
2016-11-01 By Peter Levenspiel
PART 1: Smartphone's V DSLR's >
2016-11-01 By Peter Levenspiel
Review: Nikon Nikkor Micro AF 105mm f2.8 lens >
2016-10-09 By Paul Stillman
2016 Woodland Trust tree of the year shortlist >
2016-09-24 By Liz Taylor
Surprisingly, kids can be pretty good at photography... with a little guidance! >
2016-09-09 By Peter Levenspiel
Want to improve your garden photography? >
2016-09-07 By Paul Stillman
Plane boring... What's your thing? >
2016-08-10 By Peter Levenspiel
Learn from the masters! >
2016-08-08 By Peter Levenspiel
Plan for success... Wedding photography >
2016-07-15 By Peter Levenspiel
What does Brexit mean if you're a photographer? >
2016-06-25 By Peter Levenspiel
Woodland bird photography at its very best! >
2016-06-18 By Paul Stillman
Top 3 equine photography tips from a pro… >
2016-06-17 By Peter Levenspiel
Wide angle lenses: The estate agents magic trick >
2016-06-10 By Peter Levenspiel
Head for the woods... macro season is here! >
2016-06-03 By Peter Levenspiel
The eeirie work of Christian Richter >
2016-05-20 By Peter Levenspiel
Doggy doggy on the wall... >
2016-04-04 By Peter Levenspiel
6 merits of renting photographic gear over buying >
2016-04-01 By Matt Golowczynski
Photographic exhibition at the V&A: Paul Strand >
2016-03-25 By Liz Taylor
Create a family best-seller >
2016-03-23 By Peter Levenspiel
Droning on about it... >
2016-02-09 By Peter Levenspiel
Top 10 Things to consider before stepping into photography >
By Racho Stano