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'I spent whole day in one of UK's cheapest seaside towns and it only cost me 20'

The UK may not have had much of a summer so far but there's still time to enjoy the best of the British seaside even if it's grey and drizzly

[Brits don't have to travel far this Summer to experience a dreamy day out, as one reporter proved during a visit to Margate]

Brits don't have to travel far this Summer to experience a dreamy day out, as one reporter proved during a visit to Margate(Image: Daily Star, Daily Mirror, Daily Express)

Despite the UK's lacklustre summer so far, there's no reason not to savour the delights of the British seaside - even if it's a bit gloomy and damp. Recently crowned as one of the UK's most affordable coastal towns, Margate is the ideal spot for a budget-friendly summer adventure.

That's why Kent Live reporter Hedi Mehrez decided to explore this iconic English seaside town with just 20 in his pocket to see how much fun he could squeeze out of his budget. A seasoned budget traveller, who recently navigated Morocco on a shoestring budget of 250, Hedi was eager to take on the challenge of discovering the charming seaside town.

"When I arrived in Margate, it was around 1pm and I was hankering for an ice cream. The weather was fair, a tad windy, but rain-free. It was predicted to be sunnier later in the day, and spoiler alert: it turned out to be warm and perfect for a beach day," he shared, reports the Mirror.

His first port of call was for ice cream - a 3 salted caramel delight from the intriguingly named "Life's a Beach" - which Hedi relished while lounging on the beach and people-watching.

"I had 17 left in my wallet to experience Margate in all its glory. My next logical stop was, naturally, the Turner Contemporary Art Gallery. If you're an art enthusiast like me, you'll never want to leave the town. Margate is especially renowned for its creative communities, street art, wall murals and of course the gallery."

[Turner Gallery Margate was just one of the enticing attractions on offer]

Turner Gallery Margate was just one of the enticing attractions on offer(Image: Handout)

READ MORE: UK seaside town dubbed 'British Ibiza' as lovers enjoy multiple flings at once

The art gallery admission was completely free, allowing Hedi to enjoy the stunning exhibition featuring works by Ed Clark, a renowned African American artist recognised for his sweeping, colourful abstract canvases. What's more, he still had cash leftover after this artwork spree.

As he continued his day, he ordered an Americano at the gallery cafe, taking in the tranquil sight of waves softly reaching the beach shore.

"There was such a relaxing atmosphere, with people either working on their laptops, reading a book, or listening to music. Coffee shops always have a wonderful feeling to them," he remarked.

Relaxed as he might have been, Hedi needed to hurry; next on his Margate itinerary was the Shell Grotto - due to close soon. Only a stone's throw from the beach, the Shell Grotto is a unique, mesmerising location filled with mosaic-esque, shell-laden cave walls ready to be explored - described as truly "bewitching" by visitors.

"I'm originally from Paris, France, and it reminded me of the catacombs in a non-morbid way," Hedi mused.

"I was fascinated by the mosaics covering the entirety of the cave and it is definitely worth a visit."

With adult admission only 4.50, and 2 for children aged 4-16, he deemed the Shell Grotto well worth the expenditure. Having indulged himself in culture, Hedi was ready for lunch. Initially planning for a classic fish and chips meal, he decided to try the vegan alternative instead.

He revealed: "I walked past Beach Buoys which serves a vegan version (9.50) of the much-loved fish and chips."

"It tasted completely different, and my brain struggled to process what I was eating. In appearance, it looked like fish but it was made of banana blossom. Let's just say it won't replace the traditional version."

At 9.50, this was the priciest part of Hedi's adventure - but overall, the entire trip left him feeling deeply satisfied.

"20.50 was the total spent throughout the afternoon. Before heading back to the train station, I took a moment to sit at the beach.The sun had emerged and it was the ideal way to wrap up a busy day. I stayed there for an hour, simply observing the waves rolling in before making my way back home. While 50p over budget, I felt wealthier than ever with a stomach full of fish and chips and memories of a delightful afternoon."

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