Photo: Neil Theasby, CC BY-SA 2.0Whitstable is known for its working harbour, oysters and shingle beaches lined with beach huts. It pairs well with a day in Canterbury, which is only a short drive or bus ride inland.
Image: Whitstable Museum and GalleryWhitstable Community Museum and Gallery is a volunteer-run museum telling the town's stories of diving, oysters, fishing, shipwrecks and shipbuilding. Large exhibits include the Invicta locomotive, a 1948 whelk boat and an 1867 fire engine, with hands-on activities for children from age three. It suits families and takes about an hour.
Photo of Whitstable: Neil Theasby, CC BY-SA 2.0Whitstable's long shingle beach runs right along the town, so a walk on the shore leads straight to independent stalls, galleries, fish and chips and the famous oysters. You will often see windsurfers and sailors out on the water, and the 5km Whitstable Maritime coastal trail follows the shore. It suits couples and families wanting a seaside stroll with good food.
Image: Whitstable HarbourWhitstable Harbour is a working harbour on the north Kent coast and the hub of a classic Whitstable day out. Browse the market and the two-storey South Quay Shed for local makers and food, eat seafood with a view of the fishing boats, and walk along the waterfront. It is a 13-minute walk from Whitstable station.
Image: Whitstable CastleWhitstable Castle sits in landscaped gardens with a play park, a bistro and tearooms. Stroll the gardens, let children burn off energy in the play area, then stop for breakfast, lunch or an afternoon tea. It suits families and dog owners and takes an hour or two.
Photo of Whitstable: Neil Theasby, CC BY-SA 2.0Tankerton Slopes are grassy clifftop lawns between Whitstable and the sea, with rows of colourful beach huts at the bottom and seats and shelters at the best viewpoints. From the top you can look out over The Street, a shingle spit you can walk along at low tide. Come for a stroll, a picnic or a bike ride along the seafront.
Photo of Whitstable: Neil Theasby, CC BY-SA 2.0Tankerton Beach is a shingle beach below the grassy Tankerton Slopes, lined with brightly painted beach huts. At low tide the sea pulls back to reveal rock pools and a long walk out across the foreshore, and the grassy banks above are made for picnics. It is a relaxed family beach for a half day of paddling, swimming and rock pooling.
Image: Woodland TrustVictory Wood is a 140 hectare Woodland Trust site planted between 2005 and 2008 to mark 200 years since the Battle of Trafalgar, on the edge of the ancient Blean woods. Walk the permissive paths to see the full-size footprint of HMS Victory marked out in oak posts, follow the Discovery Trail and climb to the viewfinder sculpture for views to the Isle of Sheppey and the Thames Estuary. Allow a couple of hours for a good walk.
Image: Wildwood KentWildwood is a wildlife park set in 40 acres of ancient woodland between Canterbury and Herne Bay, home to more than 200 British animals past and present. See wolves, bears, bison and lynx alongside badgers, red squirrels and water voles, with walkthrough exhibits along the way. Allow half a day.
Herne Bay Pier is a lively charity-run pier lined with beach hut shops and food stalls, voted top of the 2026 Bucket and Spade List of favourite seaside places. Ride the vintage carousel and helter-skelter, try crabbing off the end or browse local makers. It suits families and anyone after traditional seaside fun.
Image: Whitstable Museum and GalleryWhitstable Community Museum and Gallery is a volunteer-run museum telling the town's stories of diving, oysters, fishing, shipwrecks and shipbuilding. Large exhibits include the Invicta locomotive, a 1948 whelk boat and an 1867 fire engine, with hands-on activities for children from age three. It suits families and takes about an hour.
Image: Whitstable CastleWhitstable Castle sits in landscaped gardens with a play park, a bistro and tearooms. Stroll the gardens, let children burn off energy in the play area, then stop for breakfast, lunch or an afternoon tea. It suits families and dog owners and takes an hour or two.
Image: GulbenkianGulbenkian is the University of Kent's arts centre, with a theatre, concert hall and cinema on the Canterbury campus. The programme runs from touring theatre, dance, music and comedy to a strong family strand, including the annual bOing! family festival, with hundreds of events and film screenings every year. Come for a show or film, or a coffee in the café.
Photo of Whitstable: Neil Theasby, CC BY-SA 2.0Whitstable's long shingle beach runs right along the town, so a walk on the shore leads straight to independent stalls, galleries, fish and chips and the famous oysters. You will often see windsurfers and sailors out on the water, and the 5km Whitstable Maritime coastal trail follows the shore. It suits couples and families wanting a seaside stroll with good food.
Image: Whitstable HarbourWhitstable Harbour is a working harbour on the north Kent coast and the hub of a classic Whitstable day out. Browse the market and the two-storey South Quay Shed for local makers and food, eat seafood with a view of the fishing boats, and walk along the waterfront. It is a 13-minute walk from Whitstable station.
Photo of Whitstable: Neil Theasby, CC BY-SA 2.0Tankerton Slopes are grassy clifftop lawns between Whitstable and the sea, with rows of colourful beach huts at the bottom and seats and shelters at the best viewpoints. From the top you can look out over The Street, a shingle spit you can walk along at low tide. Come for a stroll, a picnic or a bike ride along the seafront.