A RE-IMAGINED DREAM IS BEAUTIFUL NOW IN DREAMLAND

It began as a Golden Age dream, in 1880 -- a seaside fantasy land on the southeast coast of Kent, in England. Dreamland was the UK’s original Pleasure Park, delivering thrills and smiles for generations to come until it fell upon hard times and closed in 2003 for over a decade.

Recently restored, reimagined, and reopened, Dreamland has once again become one of the UK’s most loved amusement parks.

Once considered the heartbeat of the seaside town of Margate, in its heyday, Dreamland was listed as one of UK’s top ten visitor attractions. With loads of beautifully painted old-fashioned rides, a miniature scenic railway, and a zoo, Dreamland was a happy land.

Later in its reign, Dreamland’s giant ballroom once hosted The Who, the Rolling Stones and other Rock & Roll greats.

In 2003, a plan to permanently close the park and build housing on the site triggered a “Save Dreamland” campaign by locals and amusement park enthusiasts. They raised £18m in public funding, pledged to restore Dreamland.

Renewal began in 2014, focused on Dreamland’s Grade II-listed Scenic Railway, Grade II-listed cinema complex and Grade II-listed menagerie cages. Some rides and amusements were retro-fitted, while others were recreated.

Hemingway Design worked closely with local artists and Margate enthusiasts to recreate the original old-fashioned experience of Dreamland, including the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes.

Enjoy classic sideshows, traditional fairground games, pleasure gardens, and arcades at this seaside fun park. Lick a giant lollypop or a frozen custard, twirl some cotton candy, and dream on.

Reena Rai, of Fashion Daydreams, spent a magical day at Dreamland. Check out her story and photos here.

Read more about Beautiful Dreams this week.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Richard Clark (Digimist). “Margate Seafront.” Margate. Kent, England.
2. Image: by I Heart Cabbage. “Opening Day Night.” Dreamland. Margate. Kent, England.
3. Image: Courtesy of Visit Kent. “Dreamland.” Margate. Kent, England.
4. Image: Courtesy of Hemingway Design. “Dreamland.” Margate. Kent, England.
5. Image: by Jill Catley. “Carters Steam Fair, Margate Carousel Horse 5.” Margate. Kent, England.
6. Image: Courtesy of Dreamland. “Dreamland.” Margate. Kent, England.
7. Image: by I Heart Cabbage. “Cinema Building.” Dreamland. Margate. Kent, England.
8. Image: Courtesy of Dreamland. “Dreamland.” Margate. Kent, England.
9. Image: by Reena Rai, of Fashion Daydreams. “Dreamland.” Margate. Kent, England.
10. Image: Courtesy of Dreamland. “Dreamland.” Margate. Kent, England.
11. Image: Courtesy of Dreamland. “Dreamland.” Margate. Kent, England.
12. Image: by BN App - Download now!
13. Image: by Karen Bryan. “Helter Skelter at Dreamland Margate.” Margate. Kent, England.