With Whitstable only an hour away from London it makes the perfect day trip or a great location for a relaxing weekend away. It is best known for its oysters but definitely has a lot more to offer if oysters aren’t your cup of tea. Let’s take a look at what I think are the top 8 things to do in Whitstable…
We loved the eclectic mix of independent shops, cafes and restaurants on the high street. Taking a stroll around the buzzing harbour with its pop up market and historic boats was a great way to spend an afternoon and watching the sunset from the beach was an added bonus. This quintessentially English seaside town is a true gem of the south coast.
Brunch Or Coffee Stop
We were spoilt for choice in Whitstable, as there are so many different places to stop for a spot of brunch or a coffee. Each place with its own charm and characteristics.
If you love reading then Blueprint Coffee and Books is the perfect place for you, serving coffee from Ozone Roastery with milk from local cows. The bookshop specialises in cook books and has a selection of gorgeously illustrated children’s books.
For locally sourced food, head to Farm & Harper for a delicious brunch serving everything from a traditional English breakfast to more interesting options like sweet potato and chickpea fritters. It has a friendly and cosy atmosphere and is right on the High Street so great for people watching.
Browse The Hight Street
The high street in Whitstable is the perfect place to while away an hour or two, popping in and out of the selection of independent shops that showcase local art and crafts as well as fresh produce.
When you’ve done enough shopping, visit the Whitstable Museum and Gallery where you can find the the world’s oldest railway locomotives and learn about the history of the town. Children can enter for free and there are a selection of activities to keep them busy during your visit.
As you stroll up the high street, you will notice lots of the old buildings have retained some of their original heritage giving you a glimpse of what they were used for in the past.
Harbour
Whitstable still has a working harbour with a small fishing fleet and regular cargo deliveries. It is the place to go to grab some famous fresh rock oysters, which are sold from various stalls along the harbour.
This little harbour also has a few restaurants to sit down and enjoy the view, such as the popular Harbour Garden Cafe, with a large outdoor area or the more relaxed Oyster Shed at the far end of the harbour which has a few tables to sit on.
One of the highlights of the harbour is the bustling Harbour Market made up of little boat sheds that sell anything from kites to Thai food. They are a great place to get some interesting handmade souvenirs, as local artists often sell their work here.
Boat Trips
There are a few different companies that operate out of Whitstable harbour offering a range of different trips, from half hour harbour tours to longer trips that include the wind farm and the World War II sea forts. The sea forts are fascinating to see as they performed an important role in protecting the Thames Estuary.
If you book ahead you can secure a space on the Sailing Barge Greta, a beautiful sailing ship that was built in 1892.
There are also trips to see the nearby seal colony, fishing trips and of course tours around the world famous oyster farms.
Take A Stroll Along The Promenade
The promenade stretches from Whitstable all the way to Tankerton with the lovely pebbly beach to your left and colourful beach huts to your right. It only takes 15 – 20 minutes to reach Tankerton where you will find a few small shops on the high street and some lovely little cafes and restaurants. Not quite as pretty as Whitstable but a lot less crowded making it easier to find somewhere for lunch or a drink.
Ozzie’s Fish Bar has a branch here, where you can grab some amazing fish and chips, and either eat in or take it and sit on the beach (my personal favourite option when the weather is good).
At the far end of the beach sits Jo Jo’s restaurant specialising in mezes, meat and fish. A great little place to go for a long lunch and pretend you are in the Mediterranean.
Relax On The Beach
There are a couple of beaches near Whitstable one to the south of the harbour and Tankerton Beach to the north. Both are long expanses of shingle divided up by wooden groynes. There is plenty of room for everyone so even in high season it doesn’t become overcrowded.
If you feel brave enough to swim, then there is a life guarded section near Tankerton which has public toilets and a cafe nearby. It is also a popular place for paddle boarding. Beware at low tide you have to go quite a way out to swim as the water stays shallow for a long time.
Have A Pint Watching The Sunset
The most famous spot for watching the sunset is The Old Neptune, affectionately known as the “Old Neppy.” It dates back to the early 19th Century and is one of only a handful of pubs to be found on the beaches of Britain. Grab yourself a pint of local ale and some great home cooked food and watch the famous Whitstable sunset.
There are a few other pubs along the promenade such as the Sea Farmer’s Dive Tap Room and The Pearson Arms. Where you can get your pint and sit on the sea wall or beach soaking up the atmosphere and watching the sun sink below the horizon.
Dinner In Whitstable
There are so many good options in Whitstable to get something delicious for dinner I don’t know where to start. There is the famous Whitstable Oyster Company with sea views and amazing seafood. There are cute little bistros like Samphire on the high street which offers a great lunchtime set menu and has a good children’s menu too.
If you want something a bit different then there is Nip and Cluck which specialises in lobster and chicken over live fire or Thai Orchid which obviously serves all your Thai favourites.
Harbour Street Tapas looks amazing but was so popular we couldn’t get a table (always a good sign) and for more casual dinning right next to the sea on East Quay you can visit The Lobster Shack. You could stay for a couple of weeks and not run out of new places to try, its a foodie’s heaven!
Where To Stay In Whitstable
There are a couple of sea front hotels worth considering if you want to stay in Whitstable.
Hotel Continental is just a few minutes walk from Whitstable Harbour. It is a traditional seaside hotel offering beautifully refurbished rooms, breakfast buffet and free parking. There are lovely views out to sea from this cosy hotel with friendly staff.
The Marine Hotel is a 15 – 20 minute walk from Whitstable Harbour in the suburb of Tankerton. It has beautifully decorated rooms, many with balconies and sea views. The friendly staff and lovely restaurant make for a relaxing stay.
If you prefer self-catering then there are also some great options.
Whitstable Fisherman’s Huts have been converted into very comfortable accommodation. These quirky huts look straight out onto the beach near the harbour allowing you to enjoy sunset from the comfort of your room. They are also extremely close to all the amenities that Whitstable has to offer.
Coast Cottage is found in one of the streets of terraced housing just off Harbour Street. It’s the perfect place if you like to be close to the action but also enjoy a tranquil outdoor space. It boasts its own outdoor kitchen and a lovely secluded seating area, perfect for BBQs and enjoying your morning coffee away from the busy town centre.
Ravenscourt a beautiful holiday home full of charm and character, perfectly combining traditional and contemporary features. It is great for larger groups sleeping up to 8 people with plenty of room for socialising in the open plan kitchen diner which leads out into the large enclosed garden.
In my eyes Whitstable has everything you need for a seaside getaway great food, beautiful sunsets and a picturesque harbour to stroll around not to mention the beaches.