A higgledy-piggledy collage of pretty shop fronts, independent boutiques and pocket-sized eateries, Harbour Street is to Whitstable what Catherine Hill is to Frome or Mermaid Street to Rye. Close enough to the seafront that you can taste the salt in the air, it’s a good place for first-time visitors to get a flavour of Whitstable. Browse colourful, vintage-inspired clothing at The Whiting Post, sustainable crafts at Frank or pick up a beach read at Harbour Books. Go easy on the samples at The Cheese Box; you’ll want to save room for an ice-cream from Sundae Sundae.

Victorian art critic and social thinker John Ruskin once wrote: “Quality is never an accident. It is always the result of intelligent effort.” With this as its modus operandi, Ruskin peddles a beautifully considered edit of womenswear and menswear, including graphic socks from Japanese brand Rototo, Portuguese Flannel shirts, sustainable layers from Storm & Marie, French brand Loreak’s chunky knits and vintage denim.

In town to unplug? Press pause on the Spotify playlist and set your radar for Gatefield Sounds, an indie record store that has been entertaining locals with vinyl and CDs since 1972. Check its events page for live gigs and intimate unplugged sessions. For more great LPs, Rock Bottom Records is less than a five-minute walk away. Music to audiophiles’ ears.

Britain’s small towns – and those on the coast in particular – seem to be prime breeding ground for great vintage shops. In Whitstable, Valentine’s is our favourite. We come here for our fix of mid-century treasures, be it dresses from the 50s or ceramics from the 70s. Best of all is its selection of furniture and larger homeware items – if you’re in two minds about travelling by car, this may be the deal-breaker.