Coach Trip to The Walpole

The highlight of our year so far, our coach trip to the Walpole Bay Hotel & Museum in Margate, was a terrific success. On arrival the 34 members and friends who came on the trip were treated to a talk about the history of the hotel and the Bishop family’s experience of taking over and restoring the hotel – which was both amusing and fascinating. After a sumptuous Cream Tea with probably the biggest and freshest scones I’ve ever seen the group was then left to wander around the hotel which the family also describe as a ‘living museum’ Getting around the hotel involved taking the original 1927 Otis trellis gated lift which is still maintained in good working order.

On each floor there are eclectic collections of all sorts of objects from the 1920s onwards including furniture, clothing, pottery and dolls to give a few examples. On the walls throughout the hotel are framed linen napkins which have been drawn or painted on by various guests over the years. All the rooms have been renovated and have en-suite bathrooms but the family have retained the period feel of the place. A number of our members were also interested to find out that they do a 4 course Carvery Sunday lunch for £20 each along with an accompanying pianist. It truly is a unique place and I think quite a few of us will go back again.