Margate in the off-season is a very restorative place. The beaches are empty, the air crisp, and the town itself seems to slow down, giving space for reflection and a little breathing room. Yes we arrived in an insane storm, but yes it was actually brilliant. Number 42 Guesthouse is tucked a few minutes’ walk from the Turner Contemporary and the seafront. It’s a boutique guesthouse that balances ease with thoughtful design, a place that feels immediately welcoming without needing to announce itself.  A place where you immediately want a hot drink and to fall into their comfy sofas and look at the sea. We arrived looking for a couple of days away from screens and schedules, and found somewhere prime to soak up the slower pleasures of coastal life: walks on empty sands (everyone was sensibly scared away by the storm but us!) small cafés, vintage clothes shops, and the cosiest of bedrooms.

No.42 by Guesthouse, Margate: The Rooms

The rooms are understated, with a sense of calm running through every detail. Soft linens, muted colours, and furnishings create a quietly comforting space to stare at the sea which was a main character of its own especially when we visited. Thoughtful touches, like the larder outside the room with homemade cakes, ice cream and endless pick and mix in bowls make the rooms feel personal and just so homely without fuss and had us sneaking out of room for midnight snacks.

Pearly Cow Margate: The Restaurant

We timed our visit to the Pearly Cow, the hotel’s own restaurant, for steak night, and it was an absolute treat. The steaks were cooked perfectly, served with rich sauces and crisp, golden chips. At other times, the menu focuses on seafood, letting top-quality ingredients shine. The space is intimate, warm, and lived-in, with a relaxed, welcoming energy,  on the night we visited, it was buzzing with locals. The chef went above and beyond: my partner enjoyed the sticky toffee pudding, which I couldn’t have for dietary reasons, and they kindly whipped up a banana split just for me.

No.42 by Guesthouse, Margate: The Verdict

Number 42 Guesthouse is a special place. There’s no showiness, no over-the-top luxury,  just comfort, calm, and an understanding of what a seaside pause should feel like. Margate in November can be reflective, even a little bleak in the wrong hands, but Number 42 transforms that stillness into something restorative. If I liked the British seaside in winter on the way there, I really loved it by the time I left Number 42.