Discovering event venues on Isle of Thanet with MEET Beyond London

PA Life’s whistle-stop visit to the beautiful north-eastern coast of Kent was a great way to discover some of the best event venues on Isle of Thanet. We enjoyed superb hospitality by the trip organisers Visit Thanet and Meet Beyond London in June sunshine…

Thanet is home to vibrant seaside towns of Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs and many charming villages. The area has a rich creative scene with high profile art establishments such as the Turner Contemporary, which we managed to fit into our busy schedule. Our group of PA Life Club members, with their event organiser hats on, enjoyed exploring a selection of very different venues to see how these could work for their corporate events, team-building getaways and away days. The area really offers a refreshing alternative to city based events with its countryside calm, rich history and seaside buzz.

Our visit to five of the top event venues on Isle of Thanet

1. Chapel House Estate, Ramsgate

First stop, and our overnight accommodation was at the incredible charming Chapel House Estate. The former farm has been beautifully converted to a stylish country escape. Opening just three years ago, it’s already a multi-award winning venue that has fast become popular for  weddings, dinners, board retreats, corporate events and stays. And no wonder when you see the gorgeous gardens, the new barn-style Glass Courtyard, and the Number 9 restaurant which is perfect for private dining.

The largest space, Thorne Barn, is great for larger gatherings of up to 150 guests, and comes with it’s own cocktail bar up on the mezzanine level.

Guests can stay in the luxe lodges, built on a quiet meadow a short stroll from the main venue spaces. In the middle of the estate lies the 1700th century farmhouse, designed as the ultimate luxurious private getaway with four double bedrooms, including the honeymoon suite which comes with a roof terrace, plus a fifth bedroom with bunk-beds. The reception rooms are stunning as is the well-equipped kitchen.

We were looked after by the lovely staff and enjoyed a delicious Sunday roast with seasonal vegetables for lunch on arrival. And after our busy day of exploring the rest of Thanet, we were greeted by an ample cheese feast of local delights. Breakfast was a very tasty full English, with local and sustainably sourced ingredients.

2. Turner Contemporary, Margate

Our second stop was the Turner Contemporary in the heart of Margate, located by the Margate Main Sands – one of the 16 beaches on Isle of Thanet. The striking minimalist building offers great event spaces with sea views. We enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea in the flexible reception space which comes with a private terrace overlooking the sea. As an added bonus, you can also see Antony Gormley’s famous Another Time statue in perfect view just outside the building.

We also had a lovely surprise when we arrived as Sarah Martin, Head of Exhibitions, was waiting to take us on her curator’s tour of the current summer exhibition, The Sunken Boat: A glimpse into past histories by Anna Boghiguian. A visual feast but also a very interesting opportunity to learn from the artist as she exposes the environmental and geopolitical issue using maritime history as a reference.

3. Dreamland Margate

Dreamland Margate

Margate has still plenty of vintage charm left which is one of the attractions of this vibrant destination. We we excited to have a tour of Dreamland, not testing any of the rides, or the retro roller-skating ring, but soaking up the atmosphere nevertheless. The outdoor VIP area has been redone recently – that’s located behind the iconic large letter sign. It’s perfect spot, elevated for a great view of the main stage and comes with a private bar and chill-out areas in- and outdoors.

There are plenty of large open air areas for you to host e.g. an alfresco dinner or BBQ. The Scenic Stage Arena can hold up to 6,500 people. Awards and other large scale indoor events are perfect for the warehouse style Hall By The Sea. The smaller Grade II listed Ballroom is a classic beauty, and perfect for large dinners and celebrations.

Rooftop bar at No42 Guest House

Our last stop of day one was the stylish boutique hotel No42 Guest House.

Located in an enviable spot above Margate’s golden sands, No.42 is a stylish coastal guest house featuring 21 beautifully designed rooms. It serves as a great options for celebrations for up to 100 guests, and offers exclusive-use options. The Pearly Cow restaurant is known for quality and locally sourced delights and works well for private dining hire too.

We finished our tour of the hotel at the great rooftop lounge bar sipping wonderful cocktails in late afternoon sun. This venue delivers relaxed luxury and tailored hospitality for blue-sky thinking and away days.

On the morning of our second day we had time for one more site visit before having to leave the heavenly Thanet behind for now. We explored the fascinating Powell-Cotton Museum which houses a vast collection of taxidermy from Africa dating back to the early 20th century. The museum is an important asset for learning visits. There are also wonderful event spaces within the museum and the main part of the grand house, which itself is like a museum of great collections from the travels by the former residents.

The museum is within the historic Quex Park Estate that also houses a farm shop, children’s zoo, a craft village and a brand new glamping area. It works well as a team-building or away day destination offering immersive experiences in a truly one-of-a-kind setting.

More about Isle of Thanet

PA Life Club members are invited to explore the Isle of Thanet (a peninsular in the northeastern corner of Kent) with the showcase hosts MEET Beyond London.

The area encompassing the resorts of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate boasts a rich coastal heritage, with iconic venues and luxury countryside retreats featuring centuries-old chapels and contemporary buildings. These diverse locations provide standout meeting and event spaces, perfect for any business need. Whether you’re planning a conference, a team-building retreat, or a corporate celebration, the Isle of Thanet in Kent, is sure to have a unique venue to exceed your expectations.

Compared to the capital, the Isle of Thanet offers excellent value with competitive day rates, room rates, and venue fees. Your budget will stretch further without compromising on quality, allowing you to deliver an impressive event.

Beyond business, the Isle of Thanet offers a plethora of activities to keep your delegates entertained. From independent shops and delicious dining options to a creative and quirky nightlife and teambuilding solutions, there’s always something to explore. Your guests will enjoy a memorable experience both during and after the event.

About MEET Beyond London

MEET beyond London (MBL) provides event professionals with new destination and venue inspiration from across South East of England with free resources available all year round. MBL put you in touch with the venues, destinations, and venue-finding services so you can talk to them directly.​ Our aim is to show you that you don’t need to stay in in or go to London for a high-quality venues and event experiences.

For more PA Life CLub FAM Trips and our selection of best industry events for executive support professionals to attend, check out PA Life’s Upcoming Events diary.