Dreamland is one of Britain's most famous and oldest surviving seaside amusement parks. For many decades, it was central to the economy of the area as the Isle of Thanet's most-visited tourist attraction, described, time and again, as the heartbeat of Margate.

 

Comprising 16 acres, as well as the rides, the park included a zoo, miniature railway, 2200-seat purpose-built cinema, cafés, restaurants, bars, retail and a 2000-capacity ballroom that played host to The Who, The Yardbirds, the Rolling Stones, T Rex and Hawkwind, to name but a few…

 

Following years of closure, Dreamland has now re-opened. Dreamland is not a museum, but rather a living, breathing, historic visitor attraction, with its roots firmly planted in popular culture. The story of Dreamland’s rich past is integral to the park's architecture and rides.

The Trust originated the idea of reopening Dreamland as the world's first amusement park of historic rides. Working with the Prince’s Regeneration Trust, English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Thanet District Council, it secured £18m funding to restore Dreamland and its jewels: the Grade II*-listed Scenic Railway, Grade II*-listed cinema complex and Grade II-listed menagerie cages.

The Trust was responsible for the vision of a re-imagined Dreamland which re-opened in 2015, executed by the award-winning multi-disciplinary designer, Wayne Hemingway MBE and the Hemingway Design team.

​The Dreamland Heritage Trust is a charity and a member of the Independent Museums Association and The role of The Dreamland Heritage Trust is to conserve and promote Dreamland’s rich heritage, the Historic Rides Collection and the Archive, through a comprehensive programme of schools activities, learning, engagement, volunteering, training and interpretation opportunities.