Explore contemporary art exhibitions and interactive learning studios on Margate's seafront, inspired by JMW Turner's extraordinary light.

Turner Contemporary is a contemporary art gallery situated on Margate's seafront, positioned in the location that inspired the legendary artist JMW Turner. The venue showcases rotating exhibitions featuring works by renowned contemporary artists, including pieces by David Hockney and Tracey Emin, celebrating artistic innovation and cultural heritage. Visitors can experience multiple gallery spaces including the Sunley Gallery and the Clore Learning Studio, which features interactive installations designed to inspire creativity. The Drawing Studio transforms the learning space into a cabinet of curiosities full of inspiration and surprises, making art engaging for families. The gallery also celebrates significant artistic milestones, such as a year-long festival marking 250 years since Turner's birth. Turner Contemporary is ideal for families with children from infancy onwards, offering pushchair-friendly facilities and free entry with donations welcome. The venue provides educational group visits and learning programmes designed for different ages. On-site amenities include a café (Louie On Sea) and a shop, making it easy for families to spend quality time exploring art together. The gallery operates with flexible opening hours, with the Clore Learning Studio and ground floor Sunley Gallery open 11am–5pm, while the café operates 11am–3pm. This contemporary art space combines cultural enrichment with family-friendly facilities in an inspiring seaside setting.

Venue Details

What this place offers

Toilets

Public transport nearby

Accessible toilets

Free WiFi

Baby changing facilities

Food available

On-site parking

🐕Dog-friendly

Parking nearby

Pushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

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Anu Narayan

a month ago

Honestly truly exceptional... We were blown away. Having read some reviews before visiting, we were a little sceptical of what we could find, but the exhibits, including Turner's glorious 'Waves breaking on a lee shore' were utterly mesmerising. Guzmán's vivid colours and concepts were electrifying, and we genuinely couldn't tear our eyes away. The gallery isn't huge, but we easily spent over an hour and a half, including a stint at the drawing room where we channeled our otherwise squashed creativity and spent some lovely moments drawing pictures with crayons. A truly memorable visit that I'm grateful we got to experience.

J

julie ferguson

2 months ago

Have visited several times over the years. A lovely building but always seems semi empty! Named as "Turner Contemporary" but where are the Turner paintings (real or replicas) Only 1 Turner on display 🤣 thought one day it might actually live up to it's name! Latest display is lovely and colourful on silks and also some on veneer wood, "Guzman". Definitely a better display than in the past but needs to be filled with alot more....

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C

2 months ago

Great open space gallery, different art throughout year, only one original turner painting when we visited, free entry, plenty of clean rest rooms, and small art shop

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Anni

4 months ago

A beautiful place near by the beach, inside you can see the sea through windows. Not big but worth to visit, and we had a lot fun in the studio!

K

Kate Cooper

5 months ago

Small museum so it's a credit that it has a Turner. We saw the Bridget Riley exhibition, not everyone's cup of tea, but I thought she was super creative. Has an interesting gift shop and good toilets. The new David Hockney stained glass window is amazing. Plan to spend up to 1hr. Entrance is free.

Reviews last updated: 29 September 2026