Whitstable is one of those places I’ve always wanted to visit, so on Thursday I finally took the train from London down to Kent. The harbour is a small working harbour, and there are also shacks selling all kinds of things I associate with Christmas markets, except it’s not Christmas goods!
I decided to walk along by the sea towards Seasalter. On the way, I passed many colourful houses, seaside accommodation, and beach huts. It was so much quieter away from the busy harbour area, and much more to my liking. As I walked away from the crowds I spotted the oyster beds off shore. Whitstable has incredible shells. They are huge. I bought a few home with me!
At Seasalter I left the sea for a while to go in search of a Co-op, I’d spotted on my map, in order to buy some lunch, there being no cafes open here. Once I had my lunch, I walked back to the sea and ate on the beach before walking back to Whitstable. I went into the town itself with its brightly painted shops, tea shops and pubs. With narrow pavements, it can be slow going. Some of the buildings are really old. However, soon I wanted to get back to the sea.
I particularly wanted to walk on the other side of the harbour towards Tankerton Bay, but it took me a while to find how to get there. The works by the harbour take up a lot of space, and it feels as though you are walking through an industrial site to get back to the sea. However, once I sorted out the way, I was soon walking along by the sea again. Here there are more colourful beach huts, a yatch club and Tankerton Slopes, rich in wildlife. I found a cafe for afternoon tea and sat on the top of the slopes. What a lovely view in both directions over the beach huts. Looking towards the right, I could see Herne Bay in the distance.
I walked back along the top path where I came across two cannons, and eventually Whitstable Castle Gardens. The gardens are just gorgeous, and I found it the most peaceful place. Everything was so colourful. It is possible to book for afternoon tea, and I am sure it is lovely, but I was happy just to sit in the gardens by the bowling green.
I walked about eleven and a half miles that day. While Whitstable is great for a day trip, I don’t think this would be somewhere I’d want to holiday in. I’m not sure I’d find enough to do, though you can get out to other places, such as Canterbury, and along the coast to such places as Herne Bay, Margate and Ramsgate. The walking is very good, and flat (apart from the slopes in Tankerton), and if you are crazy on seafood, then that is the place to come and eat! For me, the highlight of the day was visiting the gardens. On walking through the gates, a calmness swept over me.
My London+ 