Whitstable Area Guide

A traditional seaside town, Whitstable is home to a thriving high street, picturesque harbour and pretty beaches. Situated just north of Canterbury, its café culture, annual festivals and strong community ties mean property in Whitstable offers you the best of coastal living.

Welcome to Whitstable

With its beautiful surroundings on the Kent coast, Whitstable's pebble beach is just one of the highlights of this postcard-perfect town. Unmissable attractions include the restaurants serving delicious fresh seafood and the charming Harbour Street with its eclectic mix of art and craft shops and independent retailers selling everything from vintage clothing to cheese and sweets.

Whitstable is ideal for families

Families considering a move to the coast will be pleased to hear that the Whitstable School, for pupils aged 11 to 18, enjoys an excellent reputation locally. Nearby Canterbury is also home to numerous higher education providers, including the University of Kent, Canterbury Christchurch University, Canterbury College and Hadlow College.

Getting around in Whitstable

Property in Whitstable benefits from excellent local transport links. The town is close to the A299, A2 and M2, providing easy access to Canterbury, Maidstone and north towards London. The three nearest train stations are Whitstable, Chestfield & Swalecliffe, and Herne Bay. Whitstable station offers quick links to London Victoria, with services departing twice an hour and journey times of approximately 70 minutes.

A short history of Whitstable

The history of Whitstable dates back at least two millennia, and the ‘street’ exposed at low tide on the beach at nearby Tankerton is believed to be the remains of a Roman harbour. Whitstable developed as a resort town in the mid-18th century with the improvement of road links to Canterbury and thrived due to its shellfish industry, with many of its products transported inland along the so-called Crab & Winkle Railway, which was among Britain's first railway lines.

Local highlights in Whitstable

Whitstable is famous for its annual Oyster Festival and its carnival, which begins in nearby Tankerton before progressing through the town's streets. Sea swimming is very popular in the town, and it also has its own yacht club. For cultural events, check out the Horsbridge Centre, where there are art exhibitions and film nights throughout the year, while the Umbrella Centre hosts antique fairs and bric a brac events that are the perfect place to grab a bargain.

Shopping and Dining in Whitstable

Whitstable is famous for its seafood restaurants, including Wheelers Oyster Bar and the Whitstable Oyster Company. Property in Whitstable also benefits from access to the town’s thriving high street, where you’ll find the Whitstable Museum, supermarkets and independent shops and cafés. Superb pubs and bars are also plentiful. Perhaps most famous is the Neptune, with a beachfront location that makes it perfect for drinks at sunset.