Best Things to do in Whitstable, UK : A Charming Day at the Seaside

Looking for seaside break and not one filled with tacky arcades and crowds of people? Then look no further than Whitstable! This is one of our favourite seaside days away from London, you definitely will want to go more than once!

Looking for a neighbouring seaside town to explore? Check out Our guide to Margate, UK: A 1 Day Seaside Trip from London – A Guide to Exploring Kent

How to get to Whitstable?

Whitstable is located on the north coast of the Kent region of England, UK. Located only around 80 kms from London it is a perfect seaside getaway.

If you are looking to get the train there are two main train routes from London into Whitstable, running from either London Victoria or London St Pancras International. Both these trains run from London to Whitstable in around 1 hour and 20 minutes. Tickets for the trains can be purchased through Trainline here.

However if you want to drive from London, it is around 1 hour 30 to 2 hours depending on traffic to get you into Whitstable. Having a car will also allow you to explore neighbouring areas of Kent such as Canterbury, Margate and the surrounding beaches.

Want another weekend away? Check out Our Best Romantic Weekend Breaks from London: UK Getaways by Car or Train

What to do in Whitstable?

Eat Oysters

Whitstable is famous for its production of Oysters that are able to be grown close to shore due to the towns tidal waters. There are dozens of places in town that freshly shuck oysters and other types of local seafood fresh from the sea. When visiting Whitstable the best places to get oysters from are The Oyster Shed at Harbour Market or The Forge along the sea front.

Visit Whitstable Castle

Open daily from 8am – 5pm the Whitstable Castle and Gardens is a wonderful place for a wander around. The castle has its own tearooms, garden center and playground for children onsite. The Whitstable Castle also runs regular fairs and markets throughout the summer months so be sure to check out their website for all the details.

Explore Whitstable’s Boutique Shops

One of the best things to do in Whitstable when the sun isn’t out is to wander through the towns independent shops. The towns boutique shops have everything you need from fashion to homewares. While down spending your day in Whitstable remember to shop local and support the small businesses. Some of our favourite independent stores in Whitstable are The Larder (general store), Ruskin (clothing), The Offy (off license), The Cheese Box.

Try Water Sports

While spending the day at the sea you can consider trying out some of the water sports that the town has to offer.

When it is high tide, Whiststable is a great place to spend the day out on either a SUP or Kayak. You can rent either of these from Oyster Coast Watersports, located near The Lobster Shack, by the hour. They also organise boat trips out to look for seals and to the Maunsell Forts, a nearby historic site located out at sea.

If you’re looking to get into a new sport or perhaps you are already an experience sailor you can check out Whitstable Yatch Club and their various sailing events and classes which they run throughout the year.

Enjoy the Seaside

Swimming in Whitstable isn’t as good as some of the other Kent coast line however it is a lovely place to relax by the sea. If you’re deciding where to spend for your day, there are two main beach areas at Tankerton Beach or Whitstable Beach Front. Whitstable Beach is also home to the towns oyster farms so be aware and read the signs about the rules of the beach.

How to spend a day in Whitstable?

There are lots of different things to do in this small seaside town however this is the perfect way to spend a beautiful day….

Breakfast

Start your morning relaxation right with one of the many quaint cafes that dot the Whitstable High Street. If its a quick take away you are after our favourite place for coffee is Blueprint Cafe and Book shop. Here you can not only get a great coffee but they also have their very own cold brew and coffee beans to purchase while in store. 

If you’re looking for something a little bit more make sure you checkout Grain and Hearth an independent sourdough bakery that make some delectable dough creations. We couldn’t go past trying one of their chocolate cruffins which fly off the shelves so make sure you get in early!

With a coffee in hand, take a walk down along the beach front along to Whitstable Harbour and Harbour Markets. Make sure you stop at one of the stalls and pick yourself up some fresh Whitstable Oysters.

Then enjoy the beach path which runs from Whitstable all the way to Herne Bay. The 8km walk wraps around the Kentish coast and passes by many colourful huts when you near Tankerton Bay. Though it is a long walk the whole path is flat and as an added bonus you can get the train back from Herne bay station to Whitstable, which is only one stop, allowing you to fit it all in before you get too hungry for lunch.

Lunch

There are an array of different independent shops along Harbour Street which will give you a vast selection for your lunch. Wheelers Oyster Bar is very easily recognisable and regularly included in Instagram snaps when you look up Whitstable however if you aren’t up for such a fancy and expensive lunch there are many other options. The Samphire is located close by and is a great choice for a more low key brunch or lunch menu. They also have a delicious looking dinner menu full of seafood that we are yet to try out.

Another place which we haven’t tried as it is regularly booked out is Harbour Street Tapas. There menu uses Kent produce to create a small plate menu full of local seafood. Hopefully on our next trip to Whitstable we will be able to try out this little gem!

After lunch make sure you spend some time wandering around Harbour Street which is full of boutique stores. If shopping is not for you why not head to The Twelve taps for a pint from one of the many local breweries around the area. They also have a small court yard for those sunnier days!

Dinner

When visiting Whitstable we always try to spend as much time as we can down on the beach front. Whitstable is however a pebble beach which is one of the massive downfalls to the beautiful place.

There a two different place we would recommend for dinner, the first being the Old Neptune. The Old Neptune located right on the beach front has options to either dine inside or fight your way for a table in the sun (hopefully) on the beachfront. They serve all the British pub classics including fish and chips.

However if its fish and chips you’re after we would recommend getting it in town from Ossies Fish Bar (cash only). While you’re waiting for your food to be ready, check out The Offy for a drink and pick up some local Kent produce. All the staff here are super helpful and knowledgeable so don’t be afraid to ask if you need hand. Once your fish and chips are ready you’ll now be able to find yourself a space along the beach to enjoy your dinner (no guarantees the seagulls won’t try to join you though).

Looking for another day away from London? Check out Our 1 Day Guide for Things to do in Brighton & Hove: A Day trip from London

Where to eat in Whitstable?

Grain and Hearth

Cafe & Bakery

Blueprint Cafe

Coffee

Samphire

All day restaurant with Seasonal Seafood Menu

Wheelers Oyster Bar

Seafood Bar

Harbour Street Tapas

Seafood Tapas

Gelateria Whitstable

Icecreamery

Ossies Fish Bar

Takeaway Fish and Chips

Castellum Pizzeria

Italian

The Twelve Taps

Pub

The Sea Farmers Dive

Pub

Bear Ice Cream Company

Icecreamery

Where to stay in Whitstable?

As Whitstable is such a small little town it is walking distance from the train station into the main area of Harbour street. Since it is a coastal town there are lots of beautiful holiday lets along the water front or with sea views. There is not a lot of accomodation in town so be advised that during peak season places will go quickly.

Warehouse Holiday Lets

Whitstable Fishermans Huts

Want to stop on the way to Whitstable? Check out Our Guide to 1 Day in Canterbury, UK: Exploring Historic Kent, England

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