While London is such an exciting place with a seeming endless supply of activities to enjoy every weekend, sometimes it is nice to escape the city for a breath of fresh air.
A lovely place to visit if you are craving sea breezes is the coastal town of Whitstable in Kent.
Whitstable, Kent
Just an hour and a half drive from central London and similar train travel time from Victoria and St Pancras, Whitstable is a fun day trip from London. The seaside town has a lot to offer families with young children.
The beach is pebbly which I have to admit seems a little strange for an Aussie used to wide sandy beaches. It looks lovely for paddling and swimming though but it was too cold for dipping when we visited.
The town also has a working harbour where you can watch the fishing boats return with their catch. For those with older children there are many water sports to try including sailing and kayaking.
Perched high above the town you will find Whitstable Castle, an 18th century manor house built in the style of a medieval castle. The property is now a reception venue.
Prefer a cosy couples escape instead? Check out this guide to coastal breaks for couples in the UK
The castle has lovely gardens and we particularly enjoyed the wonderful castle themed playground that could keep children amused for hours. The car park there is free and there is a cafe on site also.
If you enjoy shopping, Whitstable has a lovely collection of independent shops and boutiques where you can buy locally produced goods, food and drink.
You should not miss tasting the famous Whitstable rock oysters deliciously fresh, naturally salty and shucked to order. Yum. The best time to try the native oysters is between October and March otherwise farmed oysters are available on the offseason. In case your tribe isn’t too keen on oysters you can also be sure of tasty fish and chips that always taste better with a side of sea air.
Tips for a great family day out in Whitstable
✪ Visit the castle for views of the town and a fantastic pirate ship themed playground great for under 10s
✪ Fly a kite on the pebbly beach
✪ Scoot or amble along the foreshore past the colourful beach boxes towards Tankerton
✪ Tuck into delicious fish and chips and the freshly shucked oysters for which Whitstable is famous
Looking for more day trips from London?
Day trip from London – Steam training in Jane Austen country
23 brilliant reasons to visit buzzing Brighton
Stepping back in time at Sutton Hoo
Day trips from London – Hampton Court Palace
Pin for later
The creator, writer and photographer behind Untold Morsels, Katy has been travelling and tasting the world since she was a teenager.
Now the proud mum of twins, she hopes they grow up to share her passions of great food, wine and travel. Favourite destination: Italy