Things to do in Whitstable
The Kent coastline is undeniably one of the finest in the UK and Whitstable might just be its most well-known destination. Famed worldwide for its fresh seafood and oyster trade, Whitstable has much more to offer besides. The beaches are teeming with life and activity and the harbour bustles with quirky independent outlets and galleries.
Whitstable is a 42-mile drive from our Kent Coast Holiday Park in Allhallows. To help you make the most of your day trip, we’ve assembled this convenient bundle of the best things to do in Whitstable for a failsafe day of family fun!
- Crack the Whitstable Spy Mission Treasure Trail
- Walk ‘The Street’ on Tankerton Beach
- Watch the Sunset at The Old Neptune Pub on the Beach
- Climb up to Tankerton Slopes
- Wander around Whitstable Castle
- Browse the Harbour Market Stalls
- Watch a Show at the Playhouse Theatre
- Slurp some Oysters at Wheelers Oyster Bar
- Learn the Ropes at Whitstable Yacht Club
- How to get to Whitstable from Kent Coast Holiday Park
Crack the Whitstable Spy Mission Treasure Trail
This self-guided spy trail is a great way to explore the local area in and around Whitstable whilst also testing your sleuthing skills as you solve the mystery of the locked oysters! The mission is suitable for ages 6+ but smaller spies can join for the ride (though please note the route is not pushchair friendly). Your mission will take you on a two-hour loop walk from Cromwell Road and can be downloaded straight to your smartphone from the website or printed at home before you go. What are you waiting for? Your mission awaits!
Walk ‘The Street’ on Tankerton Beach
Just to the east of the main beach at Whitstable lies this pretty stretch of shingle backed by grass banks that make a perfect picnic spot in the summer months. At low tide, a long shingle path about half a mile long appears between the estuary waters allowing you to walk right out into the sea. This is a special experience and one of the best things to do in Whitstable as you look back at the stretching sands of Tankerton and Whitstable beachfronts.
Watch the Sunset at The Old Neptune Pub on the Beach
Sitting right on the beach itself, this ever-popular local pub is the perfect spot to while away a few hours watching the crashing waves and listening to the gulls. Whilst the kids hunt shells and build sandcastles, you can sit a stone’s throw away on one of the Neptune’s outdoor tables, sipping a local ale or enjoying a home cooked pie and mash. This is a place that feels almost out of time – a perfect retreat from the world and its worries. The Neptune also hosts regular live music nights and you can find a list on its website.
Climb up to Tankerton Slopes
Get your hiking boots out and make your way up to the best sea views in Whitstable on Tankerton Slopes. Once you’ve reached the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the golden sands dotted with colourful beach huts and segmented by ‘The Street’ – a natural split in the land that juts out into the sea. You can also spot the World War Two era Maunsell Sea Forts that perch eerily just off the coast. Two cannons at the top of the slope will delight and intrigue children and adults alike and provide a great photo opportunity!
Wander around Whitstable Castle
Just a few minutes from Tankerton slopes lies this stunning 17th century Castle and beautiful landscaped gardens. Whitstable Castle, also known as Tankerton Towers recently underwent a £3m refurbishment in 2010 and is now back open to the public every day from 8am-6pm and with entry free of charge! Once you’ve browsed the castle and gardens, why not treat yourselves to a traditional afternoon tea, served in the lavish Orangery Tea Rooms. For little ones still needing to run off some energy, there’s also a play area with a timber pirate ship just waiting for young seafarers to hop on board!
Browse the Harbour Market Stalls
Whitstable has a great culture of arts and crafts, with many artists finding inspiration in the local area. This is best showcased at the Harbour Market – a neat series of little beach hut outlets that line the sea wall and sell everything from paintings and jewellery to ceramics, textiles and furniture. Artists and traders sit alongside their wares so there’s the opportunity to find out about the creative process and story behind their art. Once you’ve picked up some special pieces, be sure to swing by one of the micro eateries for a freshly made wrap or fish and chips caught from the sea just beyond the shore.
Watch a Show at the Playhouse Theatre
This charming local theatre is set atop the High Street and converted from the United Reformed Church that once stood in its place. It is home to the Lindley Players, a long-standing amateur theatre group in their 70th year of the trade and who perform everything from serious dramas to traditional pantomimes and musicals. The theatre also hosts film screenings, music tribute nights and community quiz nights, so there’s bound to be something to tickle your fancy!
Slurp some Oysters at Wheelers Oyster Bar
Oysters are always the dish of the day in Whitstable – and you simply can’t spend time here without trying them! Established in 1856, Wheeler’s Oyster Bar is a historic landmark of the High Street, serving freshly caught local fish and crab alongside the famed native Whitstable oysters, whelks and cockles. Open every day (apart from Wednesdays) from 10-5, this culinary experience has got to be top of your list of things to do in Whitstable!
Learn the Ropes at Whitstable Yacht Club
One of the oldest sailing clubs in England, Whitstable Yacht Club hosts loads of sporting and social events to keep all the family entertained. If you’re new to sailing, why not try one of the sailing taster sessions with your own personal expert teacher? Other opportunities include powerboat training, windsurfing and dinghy hire for members. Enrolment on any of the courses also gives you temporary membership to the yacht club, so you can all relax and unwind after a day out on the waves and revitalise with the range of hot and cold snacks and drinks on offer.
How to get to Whitstable from Kent Coast Holiday Park
The easiest way to get to Whitstable from Kent Coast Holiday Park is by car via the M2. The 42-mile route below will take you there in under an hour and couldn’t be simpler to navigate:
Heading west out of Kent Coast, take two right turns to get onto the Radcliffe Highway and drive 2.9 miles
Take a left to continue onA228/Fenn Street and after 3.8 miles at Four Elms roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Hasted Road/ A289
After 3.3 miles follow the signs for Canterbury and merge onto the M2
After 25.1 miles, continue on Thanet Way/ A229 and drive 11.4 miles before taking the 1st exit onto Borstal Hill/B2205 which will lead you into Whitstable
Start planning your Great British break
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Important information
Brand new holiday homes from £34,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 19 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Church Farm, Cala Gran, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Seashore, Seaview and Thornwick Bay.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £33,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton Extra holiday and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
From 12 July 2024 the holiday home price is reduced from £37,995 to £33,995 and will remain at this price until all available stock is sold.
The holiday home price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at Berwick, Burnham-on-Sea, Devon Cliffs, Doniford Bay, Hafan y Mor, Kent Coast, Lakeland, Marton Mere, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Seton Sands and Weymouth Bay.
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £19,995
Holiday home price is based on a Bronze Grade pre-owned holiday home 6 years or older and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Cala Gran, Church Farm, Cardigan View, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Orchards, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Riviere Sands, Seashore, Seaview, Skegness and Thornwick Bay.
Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence.
Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Free 2024 site fees when you buy a Haven holiday home
Offer is applicable to new customer purchases made through Haven from 19 April 2024, completing by 31 December 2024.
Offer excludes part-exchanges or private sales. Available on new & pre-owned holiday homes at the following selected parks only: Kent Coast, Burnham-on-Sea, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Hopton, Orchards, Skegness and Wild Duck.
A credit equivalent to the value of your site fees due during the 2024 season will be applied to your account balance on completion of your purchase for use against your running costs e.g. utilities, after-sale add-ons e.g storage boxes or site fees. It cannot be applied to your purchase or refunded in cash.
Subject to availability and status. Deposit required. Access to your holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Full site fees will be payable for subsequent years.
Images are shown for representational purposes.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.