France’s guidebook
My favourite places to eat & drink
Fantastic bakery!
Really good bread and generous pastries... yummmmm
36 recommandé par les habitants
Grain & Hearth Bakery
52 Oxford StFantastic bakery!
Really good bread and generous pastries... yummmmm
Great pub with large & beautiful outside space and wood-fired pizzas
25 recommandé par les habitants
East Kent
72 Oxford StGreat pub with large & beautiful outside space and wood-fired pizzas
Premium sea-food cuisine, great service, atmosphere and sea-view. Make sure to book in advance!
80 recommandé par les habitants
Whitstable Oyster Company
Horsebridge RoadPremium sea-food cuisine, great service, atmosphere and sea-view. Make sure to book in advance!
One of the very best restaurant in town.
Local, fresh Bistrot cuisine.
96 recommandé par les habitants
Samphire
4 High StOne of the very best restaurant in town.
Local, fresh Bistrot cuisine.
Ossies Fish Bar Whitstable
11 High StTraditional fish & chips! Takes cash only
The Twelve Taps
102 High StBeer & gin bar with rear garden and great atmosphere!
Wheelers Oyster Bar
8 High StMust go places for seafood in Whitstable!
Another great French bistrot inspired restaurant. Really good quality.
57 recommandé par les habitants
Birdies restaurant
41 Harbour StAnother great French bistrot inspired restaurant. Really good quality.
On a summer’s evening, there’s no better place for a sundowner than on the beach itself at the Old Neptune. Although this white clapboard pub has stood conspicuously on West Beach for centuries, visitors may not know that it also offers the best vantage point from which to view the sun slipping into the sea behind the Isle of Sheppey on a fine summer’s evening.
With a spirit of fortitude that characterises Whitstable, the Old Neptune continues to stand in defiance of the elements and has been the subject of many paintings, its foundations having shifted over the years to support a sloping floor on which customers can appear either giants or Lilliputians depending on which end of the bar they happen to stand.
An integral part of Whitstable’s landscape, the “Neppy” as it’s known locally, is also the best place from which to view the firework display that takes place at sea at the end of the town’s annual Oyster Festival in July.
92 recommandé par les habitants
Old Neptune
Island WallOn a summer’s evening, there’s no better place for a sundowner than on the beach itself at the Old Neptune. Although this white clapboard pub has stood conspicuously on West Beach for centuries, visitors may not know that it also offers the best vantage point from which to view the sun slipping into the sea behind the Isle of Sheppey on a fine summer’s evening.
With a spirit of fortitude that characterises Whitstable, the Old Neptune continues to stand in defiance of the elements and has been the subject of many paintings, its foundations having shifted over the years to support a sloping floor on which customers can appear either giants or Lilliputians depending on which end of the bar they happen to stand.
An integral part of Whitstable’s landscape, the “Neppy” as it’s known locally, is also the best place from which to view the firework display that takes place at sea at the end of the town’s annual Oyster Festival in July.
Neighbourhoods
Place to visit for Oysters tasting, see the local working harbour and visit the food court for a lunch in the heart of the city!
Whitstable Harbour
east quayPlace to visit for Oysters tasting, see the local working harbour and visit the food court for a lunch in the heart of the city!
Nowhere is Whitstable’s quirky and independent spirit more on display than in the old winding thoroughfare known as Harbour Street. But threaded throughout the whole town are little-known ancient alleyways, like Squeezgut, as narrow as its name suggests.
Harking back to the town’s previous smuggling history, these alleys head down to the sea, so taking any one of them will act as a good short cut around a town, which has bravely resisted the cloned appearance of so many city High Streets and still boasts a variety of colourful independent shops selling everything from connoisseur cheese to vintage vinyl.
In Whitstable, the 'traditional” sits comfortably beside the 'on-trend', so a morning spent exploring art galleries and boutique shops can be fuelled by an invigorating freshly squeezed juice at the Whitstable Produce Store, which is almost missable due to its modest frontage, or a hearty breakfast at the Tudor Tea Rooms and Restaurant, an old haunt of the late horror movie actor, Peter Cushing. The Tudor Tea Rooms offers a delightful courtyard garden in summer and a comforting open fire in winter months, which the locals find hard to leave.
Almost concealed at 5a Oxford Street (an extension of the High Street) is the Whitstable Museum, so keep an eye out for its entrance, set back from the pavement in a building called Forester’s Hall. Here the town’s seafaring history is proudly on display, together with artefacts showing the part the town played in the development of deep sea diving.
12 recommandé par les habitants
Harbour Street
Harbour StreetNowhere is Whitstable’s quirky and independent spirit more on display than in the old winding thoroughfare known as Harbour Street. But threaded throughout the whole town are little-known ancient alleyways, like Squeezgut, as narrow as its name suggests.
Harking back to the town’s previous smuggling history, these alleys head down to the sea, so taking any one of them will act as a good short cut around a town, which has bravely resisted the cloned appearance of so many city High Streets and still boasts a variety of colourful independent shops selling everything from connoisseur cheese to vintage vinyl.
In Whitstable, the 'traditional” sits comfortably beside the 'on-trend', so a morning spent exploring art galleries and boutique shops can be fuelled by an invigorating freshly squeezed juice at the Whitstable Produce Store, which is almost missable due to its modest frontage, or a hearty breakfast at the Tudor Tea Rooms and Restaurant, an old haunt of the late horror movie actor, Peter Cushing. The Tudor Tea Rooms offers a delightful courtyard garden in summer and a comforting open fire in winter months, which the locals find hard to leave.
Almost concealed at 5a Oxford Street (an extension of the High Street) is the Whitstable Museum, so keep an eye out for its entrance, set back from the pavement in a building called Forester’s Hall. Here the town’s seafaring history is proudly on display, together with artefacts showing the part the town played in the development of deep sea diving.
Sightseeing
Chappell Contemporary
30 Oxford StOur go to place to source arts, prints & discover new contemporary artists !
When visiting Whitstable it’s easy to concentrate on the beaches and coastline, but when venturing into town we stumbled across Whitstable Castle & Gardens, a stunning set of gardens surrounding the castle and spot of tranquility.
Whitstable Castle is an impressive structure dating back to the 1790s and houses a quintessentially British tearooms – an ideal place for an afternoon cuppa.
The gardens themselves are well worth exploring with a variety of flowers in bloom this time of year, they are incredibly ‘Insta Worthy’ !
42 recommandé par les habitants
Whitstable Castle & Gardens
Tower HillWhen visiting Whitstable it’s easy to concentrate on the beaches and coastline, but when venturing into town we stumbled across Whitstable Castle & Gardens, a stunning set of gardens surrounding the castle and spot of tranquility.
Whitstable Castle is an impressive structure dating back to the 1790s and houses a quintessentially British tearooms – an ideal place for an afternoon cuppa.
The gardens themselves are well worth exploring with a variety of flowers in bloom this time of year, they are incredibly ‘Insta Worthy’ !
Almost concealed at 5a Oxford Street (an extension of the High Street) is the Whitstable Museum, so keep an eye out for its entrance, set back from the pavement in a building called Forester’s Hall. Here the town’s seafaring history is proudly on display, together with artefacts showing the part the town played in the development of deep sea diving.
26 recommandé par les habitants
Whitstable Community Museum and Gallery
5A Oxford StAlmost concealed at 5a Oxford Street (an extension of the High Street) is the Whitstable Museum, so keep an eye out for its entrance, set back from the pavement in a building called Forester’s Hall. Here the town’s seafaring history is proudly on display, together with artefacts showing the part the town played in the development of deep sea diving.
Here’s your chance to see Whitstable the way fisherman have seen it for centuries: from the sea. Make your way to the harbour’s southern quay, where you’ll find the landing stage for the historic Thames sailing barge, Greta. This tall-masted beauty once carried ammunition, beer, grain and malt, but now ferries visitors on day trips and private charters between the months of April and October.
Launched in 1892, she also took part in the evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940 and is now the oldest Dunkirk Little Ship still working today. Carrying a maximum of 12 passengers, the brown sails of the Greta can regularly be seen heading out to sea through the wind turbines of the Kentish Flats Wind Farm and on to the Red Sands Army Forts, once used as an anti-aircraft defence station during the last war.
You can also head towards Herne Bay Pier, Reculver Tower and back to Whitstable Harbour, or take a relaxing sail up the River Swale, under Kingsferry Bridge, to view the wreck of the USS Montgomery off the Isle of Sheppey, or observe the seals and seal pups sunning themselves or playing in the shallow water.
Once aboard, sit back and simply enjoy the view, or get actively involved by hoisting sails, winding the leeboards or even taking the helm. Skipper Steve Norris and his crew will ensure you have a safe, relaxed nautical experience but on a hot summer’s day don’t forget to bring a sun hat, flat shoes and a picnic.
Sailing Barge Greta
Here’s your chance to see Whitstable the way fisherman have seen it for centuries: from the sea. Make your way to the harbour’s southern quay, where you’ll find the landing stage for the historic Thames sailing barge, Greta. This tall-masted beauty once carried ammunition, beer, grain and malt, but now ferries visitors on day trips and private charters between the months of April and October.
Launched in 1892, she also took part in the evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940 and is now the oldest Dunkirk Little Ship still working today. Carrying a maximum of 12 passengers, the brown sails of the Greta can regularly be seen heading out to sea through the wind turbines of the Kentish Flats Wind Farm and on to the Red Sands Army Forts, once used as an anti-aircraft defence station during the last war.
You can also head towards Herne Bay Pier, Reculver Tower and back to Whitstable Harbour, or take a relaxing sail up the River Swale, under Kingsferry Bridge, to view the wreck of the USS Montgomery off the Isle of Sheppey, or observe the seals and seal pups sunning themselves or playing in the shallow water.
Once aboard, sit back and simply enjoy the view, or get actively involved by hoisting sails, winding the leeboards or even taking the helm. Skipper Steve Norris and his crew will ensure you have a safe, relaxed nautical experience but on a hot summer’s day don’t forget to bring a sun hat, flat shoes and a picnic.
Heading back along the beach in the direction of Tankerton (the small town that borders Whitstable to the east), it’s possible to encounter the Street of Stones, a mysterious spit of shingle that becomes visible at low tide.
No-one knows quite how the mile long 'Street' came into existence but you can go fossiling and clay pipe foraging here, as well as fishing for sea bass. Stroll out upon it with the lowering tide and you get the strange impression you are walking on water.
Turning straight back towards land, you can now admire the frontage of one of Whitstable’s most distinctive sea-facing properties, Beacon House. Looking out over the 'Street' for over a hundred years, the property acquired its name from a signal that had once stood in the garden as a low water warning to sailors.
Finally, climbing the grassy slopes from Beacon House, past row after row of colourful beach huts, continue east for about a thousand paces, leaving behind the busy centre of town to find JoJo's restaurant, perched on top of the slopes. With a brand new cocktail bar, this beautiful family-run restaurant cooks with conscience and its relaxed atmosphere, tapas, mezze and fabulously fresh fish will have you thinking you might be in the Med, until you gaze out at the panoramic view of the surrounding coastline, dotted with a few fishing boats and the bleached sails of wind turbines turning slowly on the horizon.
The Street
Heading back along the beach in the direction of Tankerton (the small town that borders Whitstable to the east), it’s possible to encounter the Street of Stones, a mysterious spit of shingle that becomes visible at low tide.
No-one knows quite how the mile long 'Street' came into existence but you can go fossiling and clay pipe foraging here, as well as fishing for sea bass. Stroll out upon it with the lowering tide and you get the strange impression you are walking on water.
Turning straight back towards land, you can now admire the frontage of one of Whitstable’s most distinctive sea-facing properties, Beacon House. Looking out over the 'Street' for over a hundred years, the property acquired its name from a signal that had once stood in the garden as a low water warning to sailors.
Finally, climbing the grassy slopes from Beacon House, past row after row of colourful beach huts, continue east for about a thousand paces, leaving behind the busy centre of town to find JoJo's restaurant, perched on top of the slopes. With a brand new cocktail bar, this beautiful family-run restaurant cooks with conscience and its relaxed atmosphere, tapas, mezze and fabulously fresh fish will have you thinking you might be in the Med, until you gaze out at the panoramic view of the surrounding coastline, dotted with a few fishing boats and the bleached sails of wind turbines turning slowly on the horizon.
Colourful beach huts, great place to walk on the beach and take social network worthy pictures!
19 recommandé par les habitants
Tankerton Beach
Marine ParadeColourful beach huts, great place to walk on the beach and take social network worthy pictures!
Where to take the kids!
Playground
3 Salts CloseClosest playground to the house to take your little ones!
Nice cafe with a garden. Great community feel, Vegetarian food and workshops for kids during the weekend. Check their timetable.
13 recommandé par les habitants
The Umbrella Cafe CIC
10 Oxford StNice cafe with a garden. Great community feel, Vegetarian food and workshops for kids during the weekend. Check their timetable.