The Jewish History of Cliftonville West Walking Tour

17th May 2026

ARK - Cliftonville Cultural Space

Find out about navy roots, healing holidays, fierce balabustas, kosher battles and margarine dreams by the seaside at ARK, Cliftonville's Cultural Space

1.30pm - 4pm

A strolling schmooze through the hidden Jewish history of Cliftonville West... a journey through time, tradition, tragedy, and triumph.

Starting in Cliftonville, unravelling the earliest threads of Jewish life in Margate: pedlars with tzitzit, no less, who came with the Royal Navy and left behind more than sea tales.

Wandering the elegant streets and faded boarding houses, celebrate the Jewish doctor who turned Margate into a health mecca, prescribing sea breeze and a shmear of sunshine before it was fashionable. Nosh on stories of brave balabustas, fierce landladies who ran the boarding houses like generals, many escaping no-goodnik husbands and forging a new life with a broom in one hand and a kugel in the other.

You’ll hear how this tenacious community battled to keep kosher on the coast, fighting for matzos and meat, building synagogues and schools brick by brick, prayer by prayer. Find out about Kindertransport kinder who found safety here, and refugees who brought with them not just heartache, but resilience, and a hunger to belong.

And of course, you’ll never guess how kosher margarine helped build Palm Bay. Yes, margarine! Only in Margate could such a story be true.

So, put on your comfortable walking shoes, bring a bottle of water, and a little curiosity, and come walk!

Please note: This tour includes a visit inside Ark, the former Margate Hebrew Congregation Synagogue building, for tea and cake.

Click here to find other events happening at ARK Cliftonville

Tickets and Pricing

£23

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Location

Open Map

Address

The Jewish History of Cliftonville West Walking Tour ARK Cliftonville's Cultural Space, Albion Road, Cliftonville, Margate
CT9 2HP

Contact

info@cliftonvilleculturalspace.com 07778 035735

Links

Website

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Accessible toilets

Bar

Locally produced food

Step-free access