The Jewish History of Cliftonville West Walking Tour

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.

By Jewish Thanet History Walks

Date and time

Location

A meeting point in Cliftonville (TBC)

TBC Cliftonville TBC United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event.

About this event

  • Event lasts 2 hours 30 minutes

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

I'm not Jewish and/or I don't know much about Jewish culture. Can I join a tour?

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.

Is there parking nearby?

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.

Can I travel to the event by train?

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.

Can I travel to the event by bus?

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.

How long is the tour, and where does it start?

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.

Where does the tour end?

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.

What should I wear/bring?

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.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

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.

Are there places to sit or rest?

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.

Will there be opportunities for toilet breaks?

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.

I have hearing or cognitive difficulties that are helped by using a transcription app. Can I use it?

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.

I'm a bit sensitive around certain subjects. Can I get a heads up if something is coming up?

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.

Is the tour suitable for children?

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.

My ancestor(s) lived/worked in Cliftonville! Can I ask more about them?

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.

I would love to know more about current Jewish life in the area. Can you tell me more?

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.

Tags

Organised by

Jewish Thanet History Walks

Jews and non-Jews alike are invited to take a walk along the Thanet coast, like so many holidaymakers before you. In Cliftonville, Jewish women built new lives running kosher boarding houses - so good, even the Chief Rabbi came. In Margate, Jewish families made holidays, ran bazaars, brought joy to the seaside. In Ramsgate, Sir Moses and Lady Judith Montefiore built a legacy of Sephardi learning and chesed (grace). Birchington gave rise to early Jewish politics, Westgate was dreamed up by a Jewish gadfly, and Broadstairs was where sick bodies healed and young souls studied. Come Summer 2025, follow their footsteps. Find the stories. Taste the salt air. Discover Jewish History in Thanet.

£18
Aug 31 · 13:30 GMT+1