The best things to do in Whitstable in 2025

What is it? A weekend of oysters, mud-slinging and more oysters in England’s oyster capital. 

Why go? It’s pretty much a criminal offense to come to Whitstable without trying an oyster any time of year. But true oyster aficionados know to make a bee-line for Whitstable when September rolls around, for the annual Whitstable Rocks Oyster Festival, this year taking place on September 12-14. It’s a fun-packed weekend with live music, street food, parades, family activities, and a full-blown Landing of the Oysters Ceremony. You’ll find fun bits happening all over Whitstable, and most of it is completely free. 

Address: Major venues across Whitstable

Opening hours: September 12-14, 2025, all day and late night too

Price: Taking part in the festival is completely free – you’ve just got to pay for your food and drink

What is it? A (dare we say it) iconic old-school boozer right on Whitstable Beach, serving up well-priced beers and pretty good fish and chips. 

Why go? If you’d rather not get your feet wet but still want those sea views and the wind in your hair, head to The Old Neptune pub (The Neppy to its friends) for the same effect. If you do nothing else, you must go here. Even with its soaring popularity, the Old Neppy has maintained its old-school charm, aka there’s no Beavertown, and the drinks they do have have stayed at genuinely reasonable prices. They do oysters too. 

Time Out tip: Make sure you go for the sunset – there’s no better spot for it in Whitstable. But be warned: they stop serving food pretty early here (by 8pm, if not earlier), so time your evening wisely if you’re arriving hungry.

Address: Marine Terrace, Island Wall, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1EJ

Opening hours: Mon-Weds 11am-9pm, Thurs-Sat 11.30am-11pm, Sun 12-9pm

Price: Pints £5-7, wines £6-8. Sandwiches from £10, mains £15-18. Half-a-dozen oysters £15

What is it? A new addition to Whitstable’s seafront, Sea Scrub Sauna opened earlier in 2025 – you guessed it, people went wild for it straight away.

Why go? You can rent out the whole thing for a group or book a social session (£18 at peak times for non-members), and there are freezing ice baths right outside to dunk yourself in as you go. The best way to do it though, in my opinion, is to make a bee-line straight for the sea for that all-important cold plunge. Hangover? What hangover?

Time Out tip: Buy one of the sauna’s own homemade salt scrubs in peppermint, lavender or rose – you can use it after your sauna sesh pre-sea plunge, and come out baby smooth. 

Address: Sea Scrub Sauna, Harbour Street, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1AB

Opening hours: Monday 9am-8pm, Tuesday closed, Wednesday-Sunday 9am-8pm

Price: Social sauna session £14-18, private session £110-150

What is it? A buzzing market at Whitstable’s harbour end. 

Why go? Harbour Market Whitstable has expanded massively over the years, and now features some really excellent, trendy eateries and arts and craft stalls to pick up some gems. If you’re on Whitstable Beach, head right (past Sea Scrub Sauna) to find it. Just before the market itself there’s also a bunch of very cheap fresh fish spots, where you can get little cups of cockles and vinegar for about a quid. 

Time Out tip: The newest spot cooking up a storm here is Stern Slices, serving up crispy New York-style pizza by the slice. 

Address: Harbour Market Whitstable, The South Quay, Whitstable Harbour, Kent CT5 1AB

Opening hours: Thursday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-5pm (hours differ in winter)

What is it? Whitstable’s glorious pebble beach.

Why go? You’re about five minutes from Whitstable’s Beach at all times, and it’s the perfect spot to start (and also end) your day in Whitstable. You’ll see that well ‘ard locals swim all year round here, and it’s well worth it even when it’s a bit nippy out.

Time Out tip: Make sure you check the tide times and factor them into your trip – when the tide is out, you can barely get in up to your ankles. 

Address: Whitstable Beach, Marine Terrace, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1EJ

Opening hours: 24 hours 

Price: Free (public beach)

What is it? A seafood bar on the high street with delicious fishy snacks out front and a posh tasting menu out back. 

Why go? If you’ve been doing a bit of Whitstable Googling, it’s likely you’ve seen this iconic pink shopfront pop up at least once. Wheelers Oyster Bar serves up oysters, daily-changing specials and some permanent classics; think deep-fried balls of haddock macaroni cheese, dressed open crab, and main courses like blackened spiced monkfish with curried mussel and squash veloute. Grab a few bits to devour on the beach for lunch.

Time Out tip: To visit the sit-down restaurant you’ll want to book well in advance – there’s a few sitting throughout the day (last sitting 4pm), or there’s an eight-course tasting menu on weekend evenings. All sittings are BYOB with a small corkage fee, which is a perk. 

Address: Wheelers Oyster Bar, 8 High Street, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1BQ

Opening hours: Mon-Tues 10.30am-9pm, Thurs-Fri 10.30am-9pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sunday 11am-9pm. Closed Mondays

Price: Seafood bar snacks under £10, picnic boxes £70, evening tasting menu £85

What is it? A historic 18th-century manor house surrounded by landscaped gardens in Tankerton.

Why go? Once known as Tankerton Towers, Whitstable Castle is really a vast home built for the Pearson family in the 1790s. Today you can take part in one of its events, or simply wander around its well-kept gardens and manicured lawns. A quintessentially English experience.

Time Out tip: The on-site Orangery Tea Room is a lovely spot for a cream tea. We said quintessentially English, didn’t we?

Address: Whitstable Castle & Gardens, Tower Hill, Whitstable, Kent CT5 2BW

Opening hours: Gardens daily 8am-6pm, Orangery Tearooms daily 10am-5pm

Price: Free entry (donations welcome)

What is it? A magical pub on the high street, the Twelve Taps is the place for craft beer and gin cocktails in Whitstable.

Why go? Most well known for its ever-changing and excellent craft beer selection, you can grab a triple flight taster to sample three craft beers at once, from a 9 percent chocolate stout to a lip-puckering sour. If you’re not a beer person, their seasonal cocktail menu is fantastic too. Plus they make their own Whitstable Gin (there’s even a pizza flavoured one). 

Time Out tip: Hungry? They only do bar snacks here, but you can order in a pizza from Nomad next door. 

Address: The Twelve Taps, 102 High Street, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1AZ

Opening hours: Monday closed, Tuesday-Thursday 5-10.30pm, Friday 2pm-midnight, Saturday 1pm-midnight, Sunday 1-9pm

Price: Pints around £6, cocktails £10-12

What is it? Rows upon rows of brightly-coloured beach huts, perfect for gawking. 

Why go? We know we’ve got a big old list here, but really, one of the best things everyone should do in Whitstable is just walk, and walk, and walk some more. If you take a right towards Tankerton, you’ll see beach huts stacked up a hill, but take a left instead (and head past the Old Neptune) and you’ll find this postcard-perfect row of pastel-coloured beach huts, just waiting to be slapped on your Instagram or claimed for your future retirement plans. 

Time Out tip: Fancy hanging out in one yourself? There are a few available to book on Airbnb. 

Address: West Beach, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1FB

Price: Gawking is free, but renting one of these bad boys will set you back about £100 a day

What is it? Two high street spots serving up classic fish 'n' chips with all the trimmings. 

Why go? Whitstable’s most famous chippy V.C. Jones closed down in 2024 (after 62 years, mind you), but it’s literally just reopened under new management, as of July 2025. Whether it lives up to the previous spot is yet to be determined, but ol’ faithful Ossie’s Fish Bar is just across the street anyway. Whichever you choose, make sure you enjoy them how they should be enjoyed – right on the beach, with a full bottle of Sainsbury’s ketchup.

Time Out tip: If you’re further along, Ossie’s Best Fish and Chips in Tankerton is a great spot too. Yes, they have the same name and no, they are not owned by the same people. We won’t be taking any further questions at this time. 

Address: Ossie’s Fish Bar is on the High Street, V.C. Jones on Harbour St, and Ossie’s Best Fish and Chips on Tankerton Road

Opening hours: Ossie’s Fish Bar is open latest, until 10pm every night of the week

Price: £10-20 per person

What is it? Whitstable has a load of nice boutique shops worth checking out, but in my opinion, you’ll find the real gems hidden in its many, many charity shops.

Why go? Want a crawl? Start strong at Relate (this is the best one – utilise your energy), then pop into Pilgrims Hospices on the corner. Try your luck at Sense, and then head all the way up to the top end and try Pilgrims Hospice Furniture, Demelza, British Red Cross and RSPCA. If you don’t find at least one thing you love, I’ll eat my hat. 

Time Out tip: Check out opening times before you go – you might find quite a few closures on Sundays and Mondays. 

Address: Various spots along High Street, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1AY

Opening hours: Typically Tuesday-Saturday, but varies

What is it? Our favourite spot for a coffee. 

Why go? Blueprint, on Oxford Street, is the place for a flat white and a sweet treat, but it also sells books and stationery. The beans are from Ozone, a trendy small-batch roastery, and the milk is from Kentish cows (and it’s delicious). If you decide you are immediately a mega fan, you can also get a tote. 

Time Out tip: If you want to perch outside for a while, try Garage Coffee across the road instead. 

Address: Blueprint Coffee & Books, 4 Oxford Street, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1DD

Opening hours: Monday 9am-4pm, Tuesday closed, Wednesday-Saturday 9am-4pm, Sunday 9.30am-4pm

Price: Coffee £3-4, cakes £3-5

What is it? A very lovely run of shops on Whitstable’s high street, perfect for gift-buying. 

Why go? Well, here’s a few reasons. Independent record store Gatefield Sounds specialises in freshly pressed vinyl, while Rock Bottom Records is a crate-digger’s dream full of pre-loved bargains. Clothes-wise, tiny Ruskin on Harbour Street is a kind of Arket-on-Sea. If you’ve had your fill of records and garms, then head to Harbour Books, an excellent indie with all the latest titles and a great kids section. 

Address: High Street, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1AY 

Opening hours: Various

What is it? A Michelin-starred gastropub which has been kicking about since 1999, just down the road in Seasalter. 

Why go? You might have to book months ahead, but it’s worth the faff to bag a table at The Sportsman. It jokingly calls itself a ‘grotty run-down pub’, but it’s a place of foodie pilgrimage. Think home-churned butter, local wines and fish caught that morning. The tasting menu comes in at £85 per person, and you can choose from four different options for each course. The ‘snacks’ are always a surprise (and might just be the highlight of your meal). 

Time Out tip: It’s well worth walking from central Whitstable up to this lovely restaurant – a very nice hour-long stroll along the beach.

Address: The Sportsman, Faversham Road, Seasalter, Whitstable, Kent CT5 4BP

Opening hours: Monday closed, Tuesday-Sunday lunch 12-3pm, dinner 6-11pm

Price: Three-course midweek menu £55, five-course tasting menu £85

What is it? Whitstable’s rather lovely big sister town, a quick 20-minute train ride away. 

Why go? Kent is crammed full of delightful seaside towns, but Margate has probably made the biggest name for itself of late – and it coudln’t be easier (or cheaper) to get to, costing £6-8 for a return ticket. Once you’re there, start your day with a free exhibition at Turner Contemporary, then have lunch at one of its achingly trendy fish restaurants Sargasso, Dory’s or Angela’s. 

Time Out tip: It is very, very expensive to sleep over in Margate, so you’re better off staying in Whitstable or indeed Ramsgate and treating it as a day trip. 

What is it? A lot of places do brunch, but no spot in Whitstable does it quite like Farm & Harper. 

Why go: You’ll find all the classics here (shakshuka, avo and eggs, and unreal Bloody Marys), and they’re all executed perfectly. But if you fancy something simple, grab a doorstop-sized bacon or sausage sarnie, in deliciously soft, fluffy bread from Grain & Hearth.

Time Out tip: We’d recommend sitting upstairs by the front window to look out over the high street, or heading to their back garden area if it's sunny. 

Address: Farm & Harper, 25 High Street, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1AP

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 9am-3pm, Saturday 8.30am-3pm, Sunday 9am-3pm

Price: Under £30 per person

What is it? Whistable is small, but there actually is another little suburb to discover: Tankerton.

Why go? It’s a lovely 30-minute seaside walk from Whitstable’s main beach up to Tankerton, which has its own (often less crowded) beach hut-lined pebbly beach. In town it’s also got the locally-loved microbrewery Tankerton Arms and Mediterranean restaurant JoJo’s. 

Time Out tip: There’s some good cycling paths round here if that’s your thing. 

Address: Tankerton, Whitstable, Kent CT5 2BD

What is it? Explore Whitstable’s arty side with a wander round its galleries.

Why go? The Fishslab Gallery (it used to be a fishmongers) supports emerging makers. Visit Chappell Contemporary for limited-edition prints that you can buy on interest-free credit through the Own Art scheme. Whistable Museum and Gallery is well worth a wander round. 

Address: Various spots in Whitstable

Price: Fishslab and Chappell are both free to visit. Whitstable Museum costs £3

What is it? A scenic restaurant with outdoor seating serving up lobster and oysters. 

Why go? When there’s an R in the month, it’s native oyster season (rock oysters are available all year). As well as doing a nice line in the crustacean it’s named after, The Lobster Shack serves stunning Whitstable ones. In fact, back in the eighteenth century it was an oyster-grading house. Now, you can grab lobster and chips and dine on the sea front. The food can be touch and go, but the view in summer is unmatched. 

Time Out tip: Whitstable Oyster Company is another very nice restaurant right on the beach, though it’s a lot more expensive. 

Address: The Lobster Shack, East Quay, Whitstable Harbour, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1AB

Opening hours: Every day 11am-9pm

Price: Average spend around £30 per person

What is it? Tides Cottage is a bright coastal cottage that looks out on to the shingle and surf, with beach access from the front door (from £160 a night).

Why go? To really fill your lungs with fresh sea air, you’ll want to find a bed right on the seashore. The tiny terrace is full of rustic antiques. Inside there’s a traditional stove and no telly. This is an ace base to explore Whitstable from, but equally lovely to stay put and sip tea in bed while watching the waves. 

📍 Discover our pick of the best Airbnbs in Whitstable