Kent, United Kingdom
> Scenic Railway Permanently Closed (January 27, 2026): The iconic Scenic Railway — the UK's oldest roller coaster, built in 1920 and Grade II* listed — has been permanently closed. The coaster derailed in August 2024, and the safety improvements required by the Health and Safety Executive were deemed non-viable. After 105 years of operation, the Scenic Railway will not reopen. Wild River log flume (relocated from Paultons Park) opened in July 2025 as a new addition.
Dreamland Margate is a historic vintage amusement park on the Margate seafront, celebrating over 160 years of seaside entertainment since 1863. Home to the UK's oldest roller coaster - the iconic Grade II* listed Scenic Railway from 1920 - this retro theme park offers a unique blend of preserved vintage fairground rides and classic attractions.
About the Park
FREE admission! Dreamland features 25 rides and attractions, including restored vintage fairground rides and classic family favorites. The park operates seasonally from spring through autumn, with additional live music events, roller disco, retro arcades, street food, and art installations creating a vibrant seaside atmosphere.
In 2025, Dreamland celebrated its 105th birthday and 10-year anniversary of its 2015 reopening following extensive restoration.
What Can Your Family Ride?
Toddlers and Young Children (Under 80cm)
9 rides and attractions have no height restriction, so even the youngest visitors have options.
80cm-120cm Children (Tiny Tots)
Special Tiny Tots Wristband (£12.99) provides unlimited access to:
- Cups & Saucers (tea cups)
- Ladybirds
- Margate Express (miniature railway)
- Noah's Ark
- Magic Rockets
- Austin Cars
- Caterpillar Coaster
- Helter Skelter
90-110cm Children
Additional attractions open up with adult accompaniment:
- Big Wheel (90cm+, under 120cm with adult)
- Gallopers (under 110cm with adult)
- Waltzer (100cm+ with adult)
- Pirate Ship (110cm)
110-120cm Independent Riders
Can ride several attractions solo:
- Dodgems (110cm+ with adult, 140cm+ to drive)
- Rock 'n' Roller (110cm)
- Whirl Around (1962 vintage ride, 100cm with adult, 120cm alone)
Bigger Thrills
The park's bigger rides and their height rules:
- ~~Scenic Railway~~ — permanently closed January 2026
- Rock 'n' Roller (thrill coaster, 110cm)
- Chair-O-Plane (120cm)
- Ghost Train (90cm with adult, 110cm alone)
- Wild River (log flume, added 2025; 100cm with adult, 120cm alone)
All Heights (With Adult)
Some attractions suitable for families:
- Gallopers (vintage carousel)
- Dodgems (110cm+)
Ticket Information
- Park Admission
- FREE entry to Dreamland
- Mega Ride Wristband
- £24.99 per person
- Unlimited access to all rides all day
- Purchase at main token booth on site
- Not available online
- Tiny Tots Wristband
- £12.99 per person
- For children 0.8m-1.2m tall
- Unlimited access to 8 Tiny Tots rides
- Purchase at main token booth
- Individual Rides
- 1 token = £3 per ride
- Mega Saver Deal: 20 tokens for £40
- Season Tickets
- Mega: £99.99 (unlimited mega wristbands)
- Tiny Tots: £54.99 (unlimited tiny tots wristbands)
- Age Policy
- Children under 14 must be accompanied by adult 16+
Key Features
- Historic Park: Operating since 1863 (over 160 years!)
- Vintage Experience: Restored retro fairground atmosphere
- Added in 2025: Wild River log flume returned
- Rock 'n' Roller: Family coaster reaching 35mph (2023)
- Gallopers: Historic carousel
- Ghost Train: Dark ride with ghostly apparitions
- Roller Disco: Retro skating experience
- Live Events: Music, entertainment, and cultural events
- Art & Culture: Installations throughout the park
- Street Food: Various food vendors
- Free Entry: No admission charge to enter park
Opening Times
Seasonal Operation (Spring to Autumn):
- Weekends and school holidays
- Rides usually run from early April into the autumn
- Check the park's official calendar for this year's dates
- Winter
- Live music and ticketed indoor events only
- Note
- Specific ride opening times vary. Check website before visiting.
Getting There
Located on Margate seafront in Kent:
- Address: 49-51 Marine Terrace, Margate, CT9 1XJ
- Entrance on Hall By The Sea Road (next to old cinema)
- Easy access from Margate town centre
- Close to Margate railway station
- Prominent seafront location
Planning Your Visit
- Best for: Families, vintage enthusiasts, coaster fans
- Unique feature: Preserved vintage fairground rides
- Historic significance: Grade II* listed Scenic Railway
- Height requirements: Many rides accessible from 80cm+ (with Tiny Tots wristband)
- Season: Spring through autumn (closed winter except events)
- FREE entry: No admission fee to park
- Tokens: Cannot buy wristbands/tokens online, purchase on-site only
- Weather: Outdoor park, some rides weather dependent
- Facilities: Food vendors, arcades, toilets, roller disco
Scenic Railway Facts
- Opened: July 3, 1920 (105 years old!)
- Status: UK's oldest roller coaster
- Heritage: Grade II* listed building
- Unique: One of only 8 scenic railways in the world
- Brakeman: Travels on every train to manually control speed
- Stats: 40ft tall, 3000ft long, 35mph top speed, 3m 20s duration
- Layout: Double-loop with two cable lift hills and double-drops
- Reopened: October 16, 2015 (after restoration)
Sources
Information compiled from: