We embarked on a day trop from London to Whitstable by train, where we indulged in some of the freshest oysters the town has to offer and embarked on a stunning coastal bike ride along the Viking Coastal Trail.
After our taste buds were satisfied, we hopped on bikes and cycled the picturesque trail along the coast, taking in the sea views as we made our way from Whitstable to Margate.
Our adventure began with sampling oysters at several local spots in Whitstable, each offering its own distinct flavors and atmosphere. Read more below about the best places for oysters in Whitstable.
Overview
Whitstable, a picturesque coastal town in Kent, is renowned for its rich maritime history, charming streets, and, most famously, its oysters. Located on the north coast of Kent, Whitstable has long been a favorite destination for food lovers and beachgoers alike.
The beach at Whitstable is a unique stretch of pebbly shoreline lined with colourful beach huts and fishing boats. It’s perfect for a leisurely stroll, enjoying fresh seafood from one of the local vendors, or simply relaxing by the sea on the tranquil beaches in Whitstable.
Of course, no visit to Whitstable is complete without trying the town’s famous oysters. Whitstable oysters have been harvested for centuries and are celebrated for their distinct flavour. You will even sea oyster shells by the beach.
Whether you’re enjoying them fresh from the harbour or in one of the town’s many seafood restaurants, the oysters are a must-try for anyone visiting this charming coastal town.
How to get to Whitstable from London
Getting from London to Whitstable is both convenient and scenic, making it an ideal choice for a day trip. For our recent adventure, we opted to take the train from London to Whitstable with our bikes in tow, allowing us to explore the town and its coastal surroundings with ease.
Depending on your choice of travel, there are different options to get from London to Whitstable:
- By Train: The journey from London to Whitstable by train typically takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Trains depart regularly from London Victoria or St Pancras International stations, traveling through Kent and offering beautiful views of the English countryside along the way. Check trains from London to Whitstable via the Trainline website.
- By Car: You can drive from London via the A2 road, heading southeast towards Whitstable. The drive typically takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on traffic. If you are considering renting a car, check Rentalcars.com to find the best deal.
- By Coach: Coaches run from London to Whitstable, though this option is less common and takes longer than the train. The journey can take 2 hours or more, depending on traffic and stops.
The most convenient and popular option for getting to Whitstable from London is by train. With direct services from London Victoria or London St Pancras International, you can enjoy a comfortable and efficient journey.
Where to Eat Oysters in Whitstable?
Whitstable, renowned for its fresh and flavourful Whitstable oysters, offers several excellent places to enjoy these delicacies. We went on a little tour around Whitstable with the idea to sample oysters at different locations.
Here are our top spots for Whitstable Oysters:
1. Try some Meaty Oysters at The Whitstable Oyster Company
The Whitstable Oyster Company is a must-visit for any oyster lover. Known for its rich history and high-quality seafood, this place offers a variety of oysters in a classic setting. The restaurant is on the beach and offers nice views and welcoming, historical atmosphere that highlights the town’s oyster heritage.
We went just before 12noon (when the restaurant opens) and there was already a queue! The restaurant was fully booked and they had only one table available which we were lucky to get. Unfortunately the table wasn’t in the main restaurant but by the bar.
We ordered half a dozen of freshly shucked oysters. We were able to observe the chef preparing our oysters. The oysters were large in size, fresh and crisp, and were prepared with care. We enjoyed the subtle, refined flavours that are not overpowering.
The presentation was classic over ice with lemon wedges and shallot vinaigrette (mignonette). Tabasco sauce was also offered.
As this place is a higher end restaurant, we felt it was charging London prices. We paid £18 for half a dozen which wasn’t cheap but the quality was superb so definitely money well spent.
From all the places, these oysters had the most expensive price tag but were also the best oysters we tried that day. We left this place satisfied and with a smile, ready to go to the next location.
2. Eat some Oysters with a View on the go at The Forge
The Forge was our next stop. This is another top choice for enjoying oysters in Whitstable, located near the harbour. The Forge is a mid-range restaurant offering a range of locally sourced oysters, including the famed Whitstable varieties.
This place was less formal offering no-frills waterside oyster shack serving local seafood, ice cream, donuts and beer. There is an outdoor seating area but as we were with the bikes, we ordered and ate our oysters just outside the place.
The oysters here were smaller than the ones we tried at The Whitstable Oyster Company but were equally fresh and tasty. In comparison to the previous place, the person shucking the oysters was less experienced and didn’t take much care.
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Presentation wise, these were served on a paper plate with wedges of lemon. The oysters here were much cheaper – £2.50 per oyster or £12.50 for half a dozen. We had another half a dozen before continuing to our next stop.
3. Budget Friendly Seafood at West Whelks
West Whelks was our final stop where we tried oysters and some seafood. This is a budget place and offers a good opportunity to taste Whitstable oysters in a casual environment.
I wanted to stop here for the seafood platter but of course we got a couple of oysters as well.
First let’s talk about the rock oysters. They were small but pleasantly salty. Unfortunately not much care was taken when shucking the oysters and one of them was damaged.
At least they were presented better than at The Forge. They were still in a paper plate but at least served over ice with a wedge of lemon. These were the cheapest rock oysters we tried that day – only £1.50 per oyster but the price did reflect the quality as well.
In addition to the oysters, we had a portion of chips and the seafood platter. The seafood was OK with fresh whelks, shrimp, mussels and seafood sticks.
4. Lunch with a character at Wheelers Oyster Bar
Wheelers Oyster Bar is a historic and highly regarded seafood spot in Whitstable, known for its exceptional oysters and classic seafood dishes. In fact, this was the first place we went to but the restaurant was fully booked.
This is one of Whitstable’s oldest and most respected seafood establishments, renowned for its long-standing tradition in serving high-quality oysters. Perhaps we will vist it again in the future and will make a reservation prior to our trip.
I managed to snap a photo of the food which looked fresh and appetising.
5. Seafood on the Beach at The Lobster Shack
The Lobster Shack is another popular seafood spot in Whitstable known for its fresh, high-quality seafood and rock oysters served in a casual setting by the beach.
We attempted to visit this place, but the queue was too long, so we decided to make a move and continue with our day cycling alongside the coast. Certainly a place to try again next time we visit Whitstable.
Best Time to Visit Whitstable
The best time to visit Whitstable for rock oysters (also known as Pacific oysters) is year-round, as they are not subject to the same seasonal restrictions as native oysters. However, here are some key points to consider for your visit:
- Year-Round Availability: Unlike native oysters, rock oysters are farmed and available throughout the year. So, no matter when you visit, you can enjoy fresh rock oysters.
- Summer (June to August): Summer is a great time to visit for rock oysters if you want to enjoy them in warm, sunny weather. Whitstable has a lively seaside vibe during the summer, and you can pair your oyster experience with beach outings and local festivals. We visited in late August and combined our visit with a lovely bike ride alongside the coast.
- Off-Peak Months (Spring and Autumn): Visiting in spring or autumn (outside of peak tourist season) offers milder weather and fewer crowds, making it a relaxed time to enjoy rock oysters in a quieter setting.
You can enjoy rock oysters in Whitstable all year, but for a lively, summery experience, visit during June to August. For a quieter, more relaxed trip, consider spring or autumn.
Visiting during the Whitstable Rocks Oyster Festival is another way to experience Whitstable. The festival welcomes locals and tourists to celebrate the humble oyster. In 2024, the Whitstable Rocks Oyster Festival takes place from 13th to 15th September.
Where to stay on Whitstable
Should you choose to stay overnight, Whitstable offers a range of accommodation options from charming boutique hotels to cozy seaside cottages and stylish bed and breakfasts.
If you prefer to stay in a hotel in Whitstable, we would recommend booking your accommodation through an aggregator such as Booking.com or Agoda to get the best rates. Use the widget below to find the best accommodation in Whitstable for your specific dates.
Final Thoughts
Whitstable is charming town worth visiting and we will certainly explore more of it in the future. Our recent trip was centered around sampling oysters at some of the town’s top spots.
The Whitstable Oyster Company stood out as the best experience. Renowned for its exceptional Whitstable oysters, the place impressed us with its great oysters and beautiful presentation, though it was also the priciest option.
West Whelks was less impressive in comparison. While it offered oysters, they were relatively small and not shucked with the care we had hoped for, making it our least favorite stop.
For the best value for money, The Forge struck a perfect balance between price and quality. The oysters were both enjoyable and reasonably priced, offering a satisfying experience without the premium cost.
Ready to book? Below are some recommendations to get your trip started:
- Flights – we use flight aggregators such as Skyscanner and Google flights to find the best options. You can find more information about finding cheap flights here.
- Accommodation – would recommend booking your accommodation through an aggregator such as Booking.com or Agoda to get the best rates. We also use TripAdvisor to read reviews.
- Transport – consider Rentalcars.com for car renting or if you rely on public transport, you can use Omio for trains, coaches, ferries, airport transfers and even flights.
- Activities – a great option is GetYourGuide, Klook or Viator for tours, excursions, experiences and tickets to many tourist attractions.
- Travel money – we have Starling Bank accounts (UK residents only) with 0% fees on FX and a good Mastercard exchange rate. Revolut is another good option.
- Internet abroad – with Airalo or Nomad you can access a wide range of eSIMs (digital SIM cards) available for different countries and regions.
- Luggage storage – if you need to store your bags whilst exploring the destination, you can use Radical Storage to find your closest luggage storage and enjoy your journey until the very end.
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