CULTURAL HOTSPOTS
WHITSTABLE COMMUNITY MUSEUM & GALLERY A volunteer-run museum that retells local stories of diving, fishing, shipwrecks, shipbuilding and oysters, and has one of the world’ s oldest railway locomotives, Invicta, on display. Learn about Whitstable’ s extensive maritime history, with displays of science, education, literature and trade waiting to be discovered.
WHITSTABLE HARBOUR The historic heart of Whitstable, the harbour is home to centuries of stories dating back to the Romans and is where Whitstable’ s fresh seafood, including the famous native oysters, is brought ashore before heading out across the county. Enjoy taking in the views across the harbour, where you can relax and watch the sun set over the shingle beach.
MUST-VISIT SPOTS
HARBOUR MARKET A vibrant open-air market found on the South Quay of the working harbour, here you’ ll find 34 timber-clad huts where you can discover a number of original artworks by local and national artists, handmade jewellery, ceramics, textiles and bespoke furniture.
DIVINE DINING
SAMPHIRE An award-winning independent Kent bistro proudly showcasing the best seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms, allotments, fishermen and producers from across the county. Enjoy dayboat specials and roast garlic focaccia paired with creamy, whipped butter.
DRIFT. A relaxed coastal dining experience, drift. is causing quite the happy disruption to Whitstable’ s food scene.
Serving modern fire-led cooking, try anything from tender cooked steak to charcoal-cooked small plates, all paired with award-winning wines.
KELLER New and already highly acclaimed wine bar and restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Daniel Smith and sommelier Elliott Ashton-Konig. Expect an intimate space, intricate small plates, sharers cooked over charcoal in the Bertha oven and an intriguing wine list( read our Keller review from p124 for more details!).
Samphire( top left) Keller( bottom left)
ARTSHED WHITSTABLE An independent gallery and gift shop found in South Quay Shed at Whitstable Harbour, Artshed Whitstable is a welcoming space showcasing a variety of local coastal art, unique prints and handcrafted items, from wood-carved animals to tide clocks.
Outdoor Spots
THE STREET Extending out from Tankerton Beach, The Street is a shingle strip about half a mile long that appears during low tide. The occurrence makes for an interesting walk, where you can get up close to the tidal waters and potentially observe native crustaceans.
TANKERTON SLOPES A Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, Tankerton Slopes is a clifftop lawn that gently rolls towards the sea and provides excellent views across the shoreline. It is the perfect spot to slow down, enjoy a picnic and take in the stunning views across the Thames Estuary.
WHITSTABLE BEACH This famous, long shingle beach is known for its iconic wooden groynes, colourful beach huts and, of course, its native oysters. Recognised for its pristine water quality and dogfriendly access all year round, it would be hard to resist a bracing swim followed by a welldeserved coffee here.
FIG Showcasing curated collections and selected homeware, Fig brings a contemporary, quirky style to the streets of Whitstable- discover an eye-catching array of clothes, homeware and bespoke pieces with a friendly, welcoming team on hand to advise.
THE HORSEBRIDGE ARTS CENTRE A community-focused arts and cultural hub, this three-storey building showcases over 35 exhibitions a year, highlighting more than 100 artists. Discover a range of crafts, literature, theatre, language and wellbeing classes running throughout the year.
Whitstable Harbour( top right) Fig( middle right) Whitstable Museum & Gallery( far right)
48 • www. insidekent. co. uk