Whitstable Tourist Information |
|
Almost any visitor to Whitstable will be surprised. This sleepy town on the north Kent coast has no seaside promenade and few arcade amusements. There are no faded fairgrounds or rows of deck-chairs. Although the national press makes much of Whitstable as a weekend resort for the chattering classes from London, you are unlikely to see celebrities wandering down the high street. Whitstable belongs to its ‘natives'. A Whitstable native is both the local oyster, farmed in Whitstable Bay or nearby creeks, and also describes local people, born and raised from fishermen, shipyard workers, divers and rail men. A rich history provides the town with a strong sense of identity which unfolds for the visitor as they wander down scores of local paths like ‘Squeeze Gut Alley' or along the pebble beach around Whitstable Bay. Right on the beach you'll find the Old Neptune pub providing real ale to customers on the beach outside or acting as a warm refuge in winter weather. From the working harbour you might see shellfish boats landing a catch to supply the fish market and excellent local restaurants or a small freighter unloading timber. The first ever passenger train service ran from here to Canterbury and retracing the tracks along the long-since closed line, you will soon find yourself in the woodland walks of Blean before arriving in Canterbury in time for lunch. The east side of the harbour is home to the Whitstable Brewery Bar with great seafood and stunning views across the bay. Along the High Street a small museum helps the visitor discover why Whitstable has so much character. Deep sea diving was developed here and together with shipbuilding and seafaring brought a more outgoing approach to the wider world. Students and local artists contribute to the social life of Whitstable with galleries, a thriving and local theatre and an Arts Centre complete with café just by the Horsebridge which is a cobbled ‘street' extending down the beach into the sea and where carts would unload catches from local smack-boats. With some planning it's easy to find accommodation in Whitstable from wooden fisher men's huts on the beach, to pleasant bay-side hotels or cottages and apartments for rent. Whitstable has plenty for the weekend visitor and for longer stays; there is Canterbury to explore and France much nearer than you might think for a day out. As you wander in the castle gardens or stand on Borstal Hill near the windmill, you are likely to sea yachts on passage or dinghy sailors racing across the bay. Thames Barges making for the Swale estuary might remind you that the enterprising ‘natives' once made a few guineas ‘liberating' Napoleonic prisoners held in hulks anchored in the Bay. Wandering in the salt marshes you will easily imagine the smuggling trade with brandy for the vicar (who was father to the author Somerset Maugham). Resting on a bench you may discover it was actor and resident Peter Cushing's favourite spot. That's the charm of Whitstable. You may visit for a relaxing break only to be surprised at every turn by a very different seaside town. Description by Harry Harrison
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Images of Whitstable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weather: Whitstable Weather Forecast | |
|
Here's a 5 day weather forecast for Whitstable from the Met Office: |
|
|
Directions
|
| Show map of Whitstable... |
|
Attractions near Whitstable
|
|
Herne Bay Museum & Gallery
(2 Miles)*
The Herne Bay Museum has entertaining displays about this popular seaside resort and the fate of its famous pier and the Gallery has a collection which focusses on local views and on work by artists connected to the area. |
|
Whitstable Museum & Art Gallery
(3 Miles)*
Whitstable Museum has displays of Whitstable's seafaring traditions - the oyster industry, diving and fascinating aspects of the natural world. The Special Exhibitions are a popular feature. |
|
Druidstone Park
(4 Miles)*
Come and visit Druidstone Wildlife Park where you can appreciate the company of the animals and birds in a relaxing country setting. |
| more attractions in Whitstable and things to do in Whitstable ... |
| What's near Whitstable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Sponsored Links
|
|
Towns near Whitstable
|
|
Greenhill Tourist Information
(1 Mile)*
|
|
Swalecliffe Tourist Information
(1 Mile)*
|
|
Chestfield Tourist Information
(1 Mile)*
|
| more towns near Whitstable... |
|
Hotels near Whitstable
|
|
Self Catering near Whitstable
|
|
The apartment is located on the seafront in Herne Bay, a Victorian seaside resort which retains its charm and character, only 65 miles from central London. Here you will find Blue Flag beaches, unspoilt coastline and countryside |
|
Charming 1800s Victorian cottage in a listed square in the conservation village of Wingham near coastal and country Kent. Wingham village possesses some interesting buildings dating back to the llth century. |
|
Advertising your self catering property or holiday cottage on AboutBritain.com will get you noticed by thousands of potential guests every day. |
| more self catering near Whitstable ... |
|
National Trust | Estate Agents |
Copyright © 1999-2012 Excelsior Information Systems Limited.
All rights reserved.
Press Room Terms of Use Privacy Link to Us Index Site Map




