Destination Inspiration: Whitstable, Kent

Destination Inspiration: Whitstable, Kent

With beautiful beaches, winding alleys, sea views and boutique shops, the coastal Kentish town of Whitstable is our go-to for rest, relaxation and a much-needed break from the city.


Daycations
and staycations
continue to reign supreme, and few places beckon Londoners away
from the Big Smoke quite like the pebbled
beaches
, refreshing sea breeze and pastel-coloured buildings of
coastal Kent.

Whitstable ranks among the best with its winding, cobbled lanes
with names such as “Squeeze Gut Alley” that are as narrow as they
sound, and beachfront huts offering some of the best British
seafood in the UK.

Spend mornings walking along the beach – Whitstable West Beach
is the most popular, but Tankerton is less busy and has plenty of
rock pools to poke around in.

For lunch, nothing says British summer like paper-wrapped fish
and chips, sat on a pebbled beach watching the tide roll in (and
fending off squawking seagulls and over-friendly dogs). If you
don’t mind queueing, get your meal from local favourite VC Jones, a
stalwart chippy in Whitstable. Alternatively, head to the port – a
working harbour since 1832 – for freshly caught oysters, cockles
and crab from the market.

Afternoons should be spent exploring the centre and Whitstable’s
thriving arts and culture scene. Stop by the Whitstable Museum and
Gallery to learn about the town’s seafaring and railway history,
before heading to the Chappell Contemporary or the Fish Slab
Gallery, which supports emerging artists.

Don’t miss…

If the sun’s out, meander around the gardens of Whitstable
Castle before heading to The Old Neptune come evening. This
legendary pub
is right on the seafront, and you can watch the sun go down with a
Kentish pint.

Who to take with you

An art lover. As well as independent galleries, the Kentish
seaside is a favourite of many artists and photographers. Take a
day trip to nearby Margate,
where Turner whiled away the days painting seascapes and
sunsets.

When to go

As the old saying goes, when there’s an “r” in the name of the
month, it’s oyster season, so come anytime from April
to September
for a less crowded escape. That being said, the annual Whitstable
Oyster Festival takes place at the end of July,
when native oysters are out of season, but the town is packed.

Where to stay

Stay at The Marine Hotel for boutique bedrooms with sea
views, with Tankerton Beach right on the doorstep.

Most likely to bump into…

Brave surfers heading out to test their mettle on the cold
English waves.

Essentials to bring with you

Swimming trunks from responsible Barcelona-based brand Arrels, who partner with
global artists including Camilla Walala and Regards Coupables to
create unique designs. We’ve decided they’re unisex and are
stealing our boyfriend’s as surfer-style beach shorts.



How to get there

Whitstable is just over an hour by direct train from London St
Pancras or London Victoria, or an easy drive in an hour and 45
minutes.

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