The best things to do in Whitstable in 2025

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) – it’s right by the water’s edge. 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 beers they do have have stayed at genuinely reasonable prices. Make sure you go for the sunset, and grab some oysters (there's table service outside).

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

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

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

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 on the high street serves up oysters (obviously), as well as 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 go or book a table in advance for the restaurant out back. 

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

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. 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. 

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

Since our ol’ faithful V.C. Jones closed down in 2024 (after 62 years, mind you), the best spots in town for fish and chips are now Ossie’s Fish Bar on Whitstable high street, or if you’re further along, Ossie’s Best Fish and Chips in Tankerton. 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. 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.

Address: Ossies Fish Bar, 11 High Street, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1AP / Ossie’s Best Fish and Chips, 205 Tankerton Road, Tankerton, Whitstable, Kent CT5 2AT

Next, walk to Whitstable's Beach (you're pretty much five minutes from it at all times). 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. Just 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

A magical pub on the high street, the Twelve Taps is the place for craft beer and gin cocktails in Whitstable. The best part is 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 cocktails are fantastic too – try a Whitstable spritz or their spicy cucumber margarita. 

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

Kent is crammed full of delightful seaside towns, but Margate has probably made the biggest name for itself of late – and it’s just a 20-minute train (or a 35-minute drive) from Whitstable. 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. 

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 

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

If you’re on Whitstable Beach, head right to find Harbour Market Whitstable. This has expanded massively over the years, and now features some really excellent, trendy eateries and arts and craft stalls to pick up some gems. 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. 

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

You might have to book months ahead, but it’s worth the faff to bag a table at Michelin-starred The Sportsman, just down the road in Seasalter. 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

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

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

Whistable is small, but there actually is another little suburb to discover. 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. 

Address: Tankerton, Whitstable, Kent CT5 2BD

There are oysters all over Whitstable, but beachfront shack The Forge is the perfect pitstop for half a dozen oysters while you’re walking, to be devoured sitting on the wall overlooking the sea. They’ve also got local beer, coffee and scampi and chips, and it’s the only spot that does those deliciously sugary hot donuts. 

Time Out tip: The Forge gets incredibly busy in the summer months. If it’s oysters you’re after, walk five minutes to Harbour Market instead – they should be cheaper there too.  

Address: The Forge, 1 Sea Wall, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1BX

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

Explore Whitstable’s arty side with a wander round its galleries. 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

Blueprint, on Oxford Street, is the place for a coffee 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. 

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

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. 

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

To really fill your lungs with fresh sea air, you’ll want to find a bed right on the seashore. 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). 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