JMW Turner, one of Britain’s most celebrated artists, had an enduring connection with Margate. Captivated by the ethereal quality of light along the Kentish coast, Turner frequently visited this picturesque town to harness the play of sunlight and sea. He was enamoured by Margate’s dramatic skies and seascapes, which became a prominent theme in his later works.
Turner’s affiliation with Margate has left an indelible mark on the town’s cultural identity, inspiring the creation of the Turner Contemporary museum that honours his legacy and continues to draw art enthusiasts and admirers from around the world.
What to see at the Turner Contemporary
The Turner Contemporary museum in Margate offers a rich tapestry of contemporary artworks that span a wide range of media and styles. Beyond the exhibitions, the museum’s panoramic sea views pay homage to JMW Turner’s fascination with Margate’s coastal beauty.
Temporary exhibitions at the Turner Contemporary
Apart from one solitary painting, Michael Craig Martin’s Turning Pages 2011, the Turner Contemporary does not have a permanent collection of its own, and instead its focus is on a programme of temporary exhibitions, all with a focus on contemporary art.
Current and planned exhibitions include:
Resistance
This exhibition (22 February–1 June 2025) explores how protest shaped Britain and photography documented those moments of resistance between 1903 and 2003. Curated by British film director, Steve McQueen, it features works by photographers such as Christina Broom, Vanley Burke, Tish Murtha, and others. Key events include the suffragette marches, the Battle of Cable Street, and the Black People’s Day of Action. A publication, Resistance, compiled by McQueen, accompanies the exhibition, with contributions from Gary Younge and Baroness Chakrabarti.
Antony Gormley: Another Time
Antony Gormley’s Another Time (until 1 November 2030) is a sculpture installed on Fulsam Rock near the gallery that is part of a series of 100 cast-iron figures. The figure is positioned in such a way that it is only fully visible at low tide, which gives the work a sense of timelessness and impermanence.
Visiting the Turner Contemporary
The Turner Contemporary is located at the northern end of Margate Beach and most points of interest in Margate are no more than a 10-minute walk from here.
The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday and admission is free of charge.
Visitor facilities include a gift shop and cafe and its location near the town centre means that there are plenty of other places to eat and drink nearby.
The Turner Contemporary is fully wheelchair accessible.
Allow 1–2 hours for your visit.
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