Visit: Thursday 15 March 2012
Meet at: St Pancras Station         

8.42am
Train departs for Margate, Kent

10.45am
Visit to Turner Contemporary and the special exhibition ‘Turner and the Elements’ with curator Lauren Wright

The spectacular new Arts Centre on the seafront of Margate was designed by David Chipperfield and stands on the site of a long-demolished house where Turner lodged and painted. This first major show is devoted to Turner’s paintings and watercolours depicting the elements. Inspired by contemporary scientific discoveries, Turner developed a fascination for the power and potential destructiveness of the elements, which allowed him to develop, particularly in his late works, new ways of depicting nature.

12.30pm
Lunch

2pm
Visit to the Shell Grotto

This fascinating grotto, with its profusion of patterns and symbols made out of cockles, whelks, mussels and oyster shells, was discovered by chance in 1837. Debate has raged ever since about its origins and purpose, with the most recent findings suggesting its use as a sun temple.

3pm
Visit to the Museum and Old Town Hall with Tom Williams

Housed in a complex of buildings dating back to the seventeenth century, the newly-refurbished Museum charts Margate’s history.

5.16pm
Train departs for London (arriving at St Pancras at 7pm)