Whitstable Harbour
Whitstable Harbour
4.5
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4.5
1,026 reviews
Excellent
475
Very good
413
Average
100
Poor
20
Terrible
18
Lizzy Get Busy
London, UK123 contributions
July 2020 • Family
Had a wonderful day out here recently. Ample car parking space right near the harbour. Only £2 per hour, which I think is really reasonable in comparison with some seasides. The toilets are remarkably clean and they are dotted along the harbour/sea front. Lovely little traditional shops in the ‘town centre’. We found a great fish and chip shop there which was fantastic on price and quality (previously reviewed) Didn’t spot any arcades that you would usually find near beaches, which I thought was great as the children were only interested in digging, looking for crabs and paddling in the water. Love this place and would recommend for a day out for a family on a budget, or anyone for that matter!
Written 27 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maz326
Spain112 contributions
Oct 2020
Very busy area with people not social distancing,not good.
Lots of Londoners who didn’t give a dam when challenged on being too close and pushing past.
Probably better midweek,Sunday heaving with folk.
Small huts with overpriced local, goods apparently .
Fish market a bit tourist,but we did get a crab sandwich from there,didn’t bother with the oysters,silly prices.
Lots of Londoners who didn’t give a dam when challenged on being too close and pushing past.
Probably better midweek,Sunday heaving with folk.
Small huts with overpriced local, goods apparently .
Fish market a bit tourist,but we did get a crab sandwich from there,didn’t bother with the oysters,silly prices.
Written 31 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave C
Walton-On-Thames, UK24 contributions
July 2022
What an eclectic place, the modern with the history, it was amazing. Parking was easy if you go a little bit out of the area (still walking distance) lots of places to eat or to buy local art. The salt factory in the middle shows a working harbour even if it feels out of sorts, its an important part of the local economy. Not much of a beach but plenty to see and experience especially the oysters a beach town that is well worth a visit and I am sure there are lots of hidden gems here given the time to find them.
Written 17 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cherriesfan99
Cheltenham, UK2,212 contributions
Oct 2021
The Harbour at Whitstable is the soul of this little town, from the world famous oysters and fish, to the commercial port, and the increasingly important tourist trade.
It is certainly a pretty harbour, but with an edge to it, this no doubt a real working harbour, with a small fleet of (colourful) inshore fishing boats, berthed beside the black fishing net buildings, and shacks selling seafood direct from the boats. On the other side of the harbour is the commercial vessels many of which import aggregates for the building trades.
It was a very windy day when we visited, and outside the harbour walls the sea was a wash with "white horses". Inside the harbour the waters were only slightly less choppy - a strong reminder of the perils of this coastline.
The harbour also boasts a great restaurant and a number of exceptional cafes / bars.
It is certainly a pretty harbour, but with an edge to it, this no doubt a real working harbour, with a small fleet of (colourful) inshore fishing boats, berthed beside the black fishing net buildings, and shacks selling seafood direct from the boats. On the other side of the harbour is the commercial vessels many of which import aggregates for the building trades.
It was a very windy day when we visited, and outside the harbour walls the sea was a wash with "white horses". Inside the harbour the waters were only slightly less choppy - a strong reminder of the perils of this coastline.
The harbour also boasts a great restaurant and a number of exceptional cafes / bars.
Written 31 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa S
Coulsdon168 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
Had a very nice day at the beach enjoying some late summer sunshine. Busy for a Monday but car park spaces available. Big queues for food at the Old Neptune, and very little social distancing along the path or at the food outlets - didn’t feel very comfortable, but the beach was very empty so it was easy to find space.
Written 15 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anthony b
United Kingdom4 contributions
Nov 2021
Beware the parking machine Number 4774 , it takes your money , but fails to issue a ticket , this leads to a £ 25 fine . A F O I request about this machine got an answer about a different machine . Canterbury council are cheats / incompetent . I will not go there again !
Written 18 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank C
Bexleyheath, UK8 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Beware Rip off parking opposite the harbour. We are pensioners and parked up for 4.5 hours while looking around Whitstable. We were shocked to be charged £14.50 parking fee. We will not be coming back again, and will take our custom elsewhere! This is extortion fees for someone who can't afford rip off fees like this. The. Council should be ashamed!
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
theroline
Ruislip, UK257 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
A lovely little harbour. Great for a day out. A little walk around huts which surround the harbour selling artwork and nick nacks for everyone. Parking easy and not too full if you get there about 11am on a sunny weekday. ( can’t comment on a weekend but I heard it was busy) Small harbour parking for just two hours. So look for the long stays just 2 mins drive away and pay when you leave. Visit the harbour garden cafe for lunch opposite the harbour and a short walk opposite is the town. Full of little unique clothes shops as well as plenty of fish and chips on offer. We would defiantly return..
Written 4 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HolidaymakerfromHove
Brighton and Hove, UK2,553 contributions
Aug 2020
We enjoyed our stroll around Whitstable harbour and along the beach to the Old Neptune Pub. The harbour had a great atmosphere with a good mix of holiday makers, fishermen, oyster sellers, stall holders etc.We parked easily just behind the harbour in a pay and display car park.
Really liked the small selection of market stalls.
Recommended
Really liked the small selection of market stalls.
Recommended
Written 19 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dive_Boy
Clacton-on-Sea, UK310 contributions
Oct 2021
Whitstable harbour is a lovely place to go for a wander. It would only take a couple of hours to see everything. We parked in the Gorrell Tank car park, which is just behind the harbour. There are about twenty pop-up craft shops that are on the harbour front. These offer a nice mixture of food and crafts. We walked along the shore to the left of the harbour, and then came back to walk out to the restaurant at the end of the harbour wall. You can see Whitstable Castle and gardens from the harbour. You could stretch out your time at Whitstable with a few drinks and something to eat, but two hours should let you see everything. I certainly would go back to Whitstable.
Written 12 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are looking to hire a beach hut and we have been offered one on long beach, between the harbour and hotel continental. I can’t find much information on this. Is it a nice beach? Is it sandy? And family friendly? Many thanks in advance!
Written 14 August 2020
HIya, The beach is shingle based and drops nicely. There are patches of sand to be found if that’s what you wish to sit on. We walked by the shoreline several evenings and I’m sure you will love it. The sea is quite calm and you can walk out as it is shallow.
Written 15 August 2020
How do I get to the harbor from the Whitstable train station? We also like to see the tankerton slopes. What order should we see these places?
Written 6 June 2019
From the railway station (assuming coming from London), turn left, follow the road to the mini-roundabout, turn to the right, and you will end up at a T junction with the harbour ahead of you.
Written 15 June 2019
Are there any boat trips running from the harbour?
Written 6 May 2019
When are the huts on the harbour open?
Written 28 November 2016
so sorry for the late late reply
they vary according to each individual owner of the huts but some are open in the winter for Christmas
Written 9 August 2017
hi, is Whistable harbour and surrounding area dog friendly?
Written 13 July 2016
Yes it is, I have seen many people visiting with their dog. Although I do not know if you can allow your dog off the lead for a swim.
Written 16 August 2016
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