Cliftonville has been named as one of the Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World to visit right now by Time Out media brand.
Time Out released its annual list today (October 11) of the best areas of global cities to explore and discover on people’s travels.
It is the first time in the five years that Time Out’s Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World list has been compiled that an area of Kent has featured on it.
Cliftonville, at number eight on the list of 51, has the highest UK ranking. Alongside Cliftonville, four other UK areas have secured a place in this year’s list; Shawlands in Glasgow (number 11), Walthamstow in North East London (17), The Northern Quarter in Manchester (30) and Kelham Island in Sheffield (35).
James Manning, Travel Editor, Time Out, says that the area may see more visitors after featuring; “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. 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 polled 20,000 people and asked local experts to rank the greatest places for fun, food, culture and community
Placing Cliftonvile in eighth place on the list, Time Out says: “While Margate’s Old Town delivers a good old-fashioned British seaside day out, Cliftonville buzzes with a different kind of energy.
“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.
“The perfect day: 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.”
The list also notes Margate Pride in August, describing it as “Not just a big party, this week-long, arts-led Pride festival sees Cliftonville come to life with one-off exhibitions, parties and events.”
Despite the rating Cliftonville West is also one of the most deprived wards in the country with high rates of fuel poverty and child poverty.
For the full list of Time Out’s Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World, along with details from Time Out’s local experts on why they have made the grade, please visit timeout.com/coolestneighbourhoods
