24 Hours in Whitstable

This is a paid sponsorship with Southeastern.

Welcome to my third and final instalment of places to visit on the South East coast with Southeastern. Last and by no means least is Whitstable, my first seaside love! This is where Jack and I had one of our first dates, and where I used to go to blow the cobwebs off when I was studying at university in Rochester. 

Whitstable is the best looking of all the seaside towns if you ask me, so many pastel coloured houses and quaint streets. I’ve been visiting for well over a decade and find something new to do every time I go, get there in just over an hour from St Pancras International. You can stay for a week, a weekend, or just a day. I’ve tried to include all my favourite places, but as with all my guides go for a wander and you won’t go far wrong. 
 

Brunch & Lunch 

Farm & Harper
Newly opened (well towards the latter end of 2017) this place has an extensive breakfast menu. I can highly recommend the chorizo sausage muffin and it’s very child friendly too! Visit their website here. 

Windy Corner Store
A Whitstable institution, also a great pit stop for a full English, but their lunches take some beating. They have a great counter full of different sandwiches, quiches and salads too. Find them on Instagram. 

Cafe & Kitchen at the Cheesebox
Yes that’s right, you read it right, there’s a place called The Cheesebox. Best of all it serves a great Sunday roast too. Keep an eye out on their website for their pop up events throughout the year. 

Ice Cream

Revival
When was the last time someone asked you what kind of sprinkles you’d like on your ice cream? At Revival they have at least three types of rainbow sprinkles (normal, hearts and stars fyi). As well as its yummy ice cream, and vegetarian lunches, Revival operates as a social enterprise ran by Mind in Bexley & Kent, they offer a pay it forward scheme and support for the local community. It’s a win win! 

Sundae Sundae
You might have seen the front of this shop on Instagram a fair few times, but what’s on the inside is just as good as the outside. Selling lots of fun flavours of ice creams, they even have gluten free cones so everybody can enjoy a sweet frozen treat on a hot sunny day. 

Dinner 

Wheeler’s Oyster Bar
You’ll definitely recognise this one from the ‘gram (told you Whitstable was pretty), I thought the food would never match up to the exterior. How wrong was I!? Every type of seafood you can imagine, you can even build your own seafood platters. It’s also BYOB and there’s the conveniently placed and named ‘Offy’ across the road, so you don’t have to go far. 

Samphire
I’ve never had a bad meal here, all produce is locally sourced and I really want to try their brunch too. But a lovely spot for an evening meal, do book ahead, as most places in Whitstable are quite small (that’s it’s charm). 

JoJo’s
A little bit away from the main centre of Whitstable, JoJo’s is located in Tankerton but it makes for a lovely walk to and from dinner. Their byline is” meze, meat and fish’ - and you can’t go far wrong with that! 

Shops

The Whiting Post
I dare you to come out of here empty handed. Selling firm favourites of mine including a vast selection of Rice homeware, Orla Kiely, Saltwater Sandals, Lotta Clogs, Noa Noa and so much more. Apologies to you and your debit card in advance! 

Valentine’s
They have some real furniture gems in here, I’m always thinking I need to take something home but I am currently on a homeware buying ban. Apparently we don’t need anymore chairs! They often have lots of one off pieces at great prices, also a talking point on the train home. 

Anchors Aweigh Vintage
There’s so many vintage delights in here, from clothes, to books, prints and homewares. A really well curated selection - perfect for the Betty reader. 

Coffee Pit Stops 

Blueprint Coffee
They’ve got great coffee, a great selection of indie magazines and somewhere to perch your bum, what more could you need? Oh one more coffee before you leave Whitstable? They’ve got you covered with a van by the train station too. 

Whitstable Produce Store
I love nothing more than taking an edible souvenir home, and this is the place to get it. Does what it says on the tin, and has lots of local suppliers selling their delicious produce.

The Umbrella Centre
Another brilliant community venture in Whitstable, serving tasty lunches, cakes and lots of beverages. They also have lots of groups and activities on, so be sure to check their schedule to see what’s happening. 
 

> Other Places To Note…

Duke of Cumberland
Bear with me on this tangent. Firstly if you’ve not seen the TV show Treme, you must watch it! It’s amazing, it’s all about the very real aftermath of hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. It has the most brilliant soundtrack, a lot which is by The Hot 8 Brass Band. Well to my surprise they played a gig in this very pub in Whitstable and had the best night! They have some brilliant bands come and play, so keep an eye out for gig listings. 

The Old Neptune
I’ve enjoyed many a sundowner here and listened to impromptu sea shanty session. A firm Whitstable favourite. 

Beach Huts
If you came for a colourful photo for the gram then you will not be disappointed. Facing the seafront, to your left you have a small but beautifully decorated hut. And to your left if you keep walking for five/ten minutes you’ll find a whole heap of beach huts all lined up in rows. Perfect! 

Travel to Whitstable for only £20 with a Off-Peak Day Return Offer with Southeastern! Offer ends on 24th August. Visit the Southeastern website to book and see full T&Cs.

P.S. The main image is me on June's due date outside Wheeler's Oyster Bar, do not be alarmed! I'm not pregnant again...