Whitstable - any recommendations of things to do?

[Whatliesbeneath707]

We are going to Whitstable for the first time in the summer. We have a young teen dd too. Can anyone recommend nice things to do, good places to eat etc? Are there things nearby that are worth a visit?
Thanks.

It’s a lovely place for just pottering about. Visiting the shops, crabbing off the pier, walking up The Street (a spit of stones) at low tide. Seafood from Wheelers is great.

You can also take a boat trip or go paddle boarding if that’s your thing.

My top tip is to take shoes for going in the sea, because of the oyster beds there can be sharp shells.

Ps. We always mean to take the 5 mile trip to Canterbury but never seem to make it.

Be prepared for huge crowds - it gets really busy. Driving or walking up the narrow high street can be awful.

The further you walk along the shore from town, the quieter it becomes. Turn left for Seasalter (book the Sportsman weeks in advance), right for Tankerton (much nicer beach, and it’s possible to swim although at low tide you have to walk out a long way).

Be prepared to meet Giles from the City in his red trousers, and yummy mummies head to toe in Boden. Their voices may start to grate 😆

Ah Whitstable is lovely - as is Kent generally. Agree with PP there's plenty of pottering to do in the town and on the beaches around there. It's the kind of place where there's always something going on - have you checked to see if there are any open air cinemas/festival type things happening when you're there?

If you go further along the coast to Herne Bay you'll find more traditional kiss me quick type seaside entertainment - an arcade which is good fun, and a pier with some rides, ice cream, fish and chips etc.

We took a boat trip out to see the seals which was good (maybe from Ramsgate, can't remember now!)

If you like arty stuff it's not far to the Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate.

Agree about a trip to Canterbury for a change of scene and some history, or Ashford, about 45 mins away, has a designer shopping outlet place if weather is a bit dodgy and your DD likes to shop!

Hire bikes and cycle the Crab and Winkle way into Canterbury or the Oyster Bay trail which links Whitstable, Herne Bay and the Roman site of Reculver is almost completely flat and you’re unlikely to meet much traffic.
Howletts Wild Animal park is fairly close
Blean Woods is nice for a walk

Sugar Boy sweetshop - full of retro sweets
The Cheesebox for (unsurprisingly) cheese
Sundae Sundae for ice creams.

Fab - thanks everyone. Great suggestions, will have a look.

The museum is nice has peter cushings old childhood teddy iirc.