Council reopens historic Margate shelter following extensive refurbishment

Thanet District Council has reopened the Grade II listed, Nayland Rock Shelter today (Friday 17 January 2025), following extensive refurbishment works. 

The shelter on Canterbury Road, Margate, suffered serious damage through fire and vandalism in 2023. A significant amount of work was required to restore it and make it safe for public use. The shelter was closed in April 2024, and refurbishment works started soon afterwards. This included repairing the wooden flooring and removing the fire-damaged seating area and replacing it in line with the structure’s listed status. Repairs to the roof were completed earlier this month (January 2025). 

Lights have been installed inside the shelter, activated by an automatic timer, to deter further anti-social behaviour. The total cost of the refurbishment was £90,000.

Cllr Steve Albon, Cabinet Member for Cleansing and Coastal Services, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Nayland Rock Shelter open again. It’s an iconic structure, and means a lot to local people and visitors. It must have one of the best views on the coast. 

“I’m impressed with the quality of the refurbishment – the shelter is a genuine part of Margate’s coastal heritage and its links with TS Eliot make it even more important. I sincerely hope that people will help us to look after the structure and that it will provide a focal point on Margate’s seafront for many years to come.

“I’d like to thank everyone that played a part in returning the shelter to its former glory. It’s been a complicated project, but well worth it.”

It is believed that the Grade II listed shelter was constructed between 1872 and 1896. It has close links to British poet, TS Eliot, who is believed to have written part of one of his most famous works, ‘The Wasteland’, in the shelter. 

1 Cllr Albon, Cabinet Member for Cleansing and Coastal Services cuts the ribbon, with Cllr Packman, Mayor of Margate

2 Councillors Packman, Whitehead and Albon, alongside Thanet District Council officers and contractors, JP Projects

3, 4 & 5 The refurbished Nayland Rock Shelter

6 Blue plaque commemorating TS Eliot’s links with the shelter