The Jewish History of Cliftonville West Walking Tour
Jewish Cliftonville West: Navy roots, healing holidays, fierce balabustas, kosher battles, and margarine dreams by the seaside.
Date and time
Location
A meeting point in Cliftonville (TBC)
TBC Cliftonville TBC United KingdomGood to know
Highlights
- 2 hours, 30 minutes
- In person
Refund Policy
About this event
Cliftonville West Jewish History Walking Tour Overview
Start time: 1:30 PM | Meeting point: Cliftonville TBC - You will receive an email with the exact location | Duration: 2.5 hours (approx.)
Now, you’re in for a treat, my darlings! Join us on a strolling schmooze through the hidden Jewish history of Cliftonville West, right here in Margate by the sea. This ain’t just any old walk - this is a journey through time, tradition, tragedy, and triumph.
We’ll start in Cliftonville (don’t be late - we run on Jewish Standard Time, which means only slightly behind schedule), where we’ll unravel the earliest threads of Jewish life in Margate - pedlars with tzitzit, no less, who came with the Royal Navy and left behind more than sea tales.
As we wander the elegant streets and faded boarding houses, we’ll celebrate the Jewish doctor who turned Margate into a health mecca, prescribing sea air and a shmear of sunshine before it was fashionable. We'll nosh on stories of brave balabustas - fierce landladies who ran the boarding houses like generals, many escaping no-goodnik husbands and forging a new life with a broom in one hand and a kugel in the oven.
You’ll hear how this tenacious community battled to keep kosher on the coast, fighting for matzos, meat, and minyanim, building synagogues and schools brick by brick, prayer by prayer. We’ll meet Kindertransport kinder who found safety here, and refugees who brought with them not just heartache, but resilience, recipes, and a hunger to belong.
And of course, you’ll never guess how kosher margarine helped build Palm Bay. Yes, margarine! Only in Margate could such a story be true.
So, put on your comfortable shoes, bring a bottle of water, and a little curiosity, and come walk with us. We’ll laugh, maybe we’ll cry a little, but above all, we’ll remember. This is a story of survival, of making do and making better, of bringing Yiddishkeit to the seaside. Oy, it’s a tour you won’t want to miss!
Please note: Due to ongoing building works this summer, the tour will not include entry to Ark (the former Margate Synagogue). Ticket prices have been adjusted accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
Of course you can! No prior background or knowledge is required. I will try to explain any terms used, and if you don't know what something means, please don't hesitate to ask.
Cliftonville’s roads can be busy with limited parking. I recommend using paid parking at Trinity Square Car Park or the Lido, both within walking distance of the starting point outside the Winter Gardens.
Margate train station is about a 15-minute (0.7 mile) walk from the Winter Gardens, mostly along the seafront. It’s a scenic route, or you can take a local bus to nearby stops like Cecil Square or Marine Terrace for a shorter walk.
Many bus routes stop at Cecil Square, just a 1-minute walk from the Winter Gardens. Cliftonville and Margate are also served by the Thanet Loop, a circular bus running every 8–10 minutes with multiple stops along Northdown Road.
The tour lasts around 2.5 hours and begins near the Margate Winter Gardens at 1:30 PM (location TBC). Please arrive a few minutes early to check in.
The route spirals around Cliftonville and ends at Ark on Godwin Road, close to public transport links on Northdown Road and parking options. Full route details will be provided on the day.
Please wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Bring water and sun protection if it’s hot, or an umbrella if it’s drizzling - we go in all weathers unless conditions are severe.
We try to choose step-free routes wherever possible, but some areas may have uneven pavements or narrow pathways. Please contact JTH in advance to discuss your specific access needs.
The tour includes a great deal of standing and walking for extended periods. If this is something you may find uncomfortable, it may be worth bringing a portable camping chair with you. Please contact JTH in advance to discuss your specific access needs.
There will be opportunities to use toilet facilities along the way, but due to the amount of time available, the tour will not be able to pause while in progress. We suggest that if you need the toilet along the route, to discuss your options with the guide.
Of course! Please contact JHT or tell the guide in advance that you are using this. Please note, video or audio recording will not be allowed.
Of course! Please speak to your tour guide, who will indicate when certain subjects will be covered, giving you the option to discreetly move away. It should come as no surprise, though, that being a Jewish history tour, there will be many references to unpleasant parts of Jewish history.
The tour covers serious topics including anti-Semitism, persecution, and the Holocaust. It may not be suitable for children under 12, but this is at the discretion of the parent or guardian. All under-18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Yes, please do! These stories are part of what makes these tours come alive! However, it may be useful to contact JHT in advance with details of your specific ancestor(s), as then you can be provided with greater detail.
Absolutely! The tour guide will happily provide you with this information, including places of Jewish worship, local kehillah/community, access to kosher food, and any other queries you may have. If you are planning a visit to the area, contact JHT in advance for recommendations.
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