Whitstable Weekends: Where to go and what to see in Whitstable Autumn 2025
From Contemporary Art to Plunge Barrels and Aerial Yoga to Miso Banana Butterscotch Ice Creams, experience a different side to Whitstable
There is a reason Whitstable, the first place to spearhead the coastal revival, remains a must-visit for Kent folk and further-afield tourists alike.
Its reputation as an idyllic seaside spot doesn’t just come down to the oysters and beach huts - it has long had an independent-first attitude to its restaurants and shops, while its distinction as a foodie haven has increased beyond the many and famous seafood restaurants like The Sportsman and Wheelers. There’s more. We picked out a few of our favourites.
DISCOVER
Perhaps one of Whistable’s least well-known attractions is its range of sports and wellness options.
On the iconic harbour is Sea Scrub Sauna (@seascrubsauna), a Kentish brand that is the brainchild of local co-founders (and cousins) Luke and Robin, who grew up on classic British seaside vibes - think ice creams, sandy beaches and, of course, unpredictable weather. During their years travelling, a trip to the Norwegian fjords, braving icy swims and embracing the warmth of the home-made floating saunas, Sea Scrub Sauna took shape: blending the best of Scandinavian sauna culture with a quintessentially British twist.
Guests can meet hot with cold as they sit in a bespoke wood-fired sauna with uninterrupted sea views before plunging into the chill of the cold-water barrels.
Tucked away between the High Street and the sea is Soul Space - a sanctuary for connection, authenticity and empowerment where you can meet Tara Flynn and Finding Flow Yoga (@tarafindingflow).
“At its heart, Finding Flow Yoga blends movement, breath, mindfulness and empowerment practices to guide you toward a state of flow - where your mind and body work in harmony,” says Tara.
The Soul Space is designed for people to focus on themselves and let go of any narratives that act as barriers in their lives - there are no mirrors and no pressure to ‘get it right’, with sessions tailored to support your unique needs and intentions.
Finding Flow Yoga offers weekly group classes for shared energy and connection, 1:1 sessions personalised to your goals and preferences as well as family-and-friends sessions for shared joy and bonding.
On the outskirts of the town is Smash Padel, which opened last year and has been hugely successful in bringing new people to the fastest-growing sport in the UK with its social sessions and coaching lessons.
The newly-refurbished Whitstable Yoga & Wellbeing Centre (@yogawellbeingwhitstable) comprises a purpose-built and fully-equipped Yoga Studio with heated bamboo flooring and a living wall. Above the studio, four therapy rooms provide beautiful spaces for individuals to nurture their own wellness businesses and provide much-needed services to the community. From Talking Therapies to Sports Massage, Energy Healing to Nutritional Therapy, there really is something for everyone - a hub for wellbeing! It is also incredibly proud to offer Aerial Yoga - something that is quite hard to find locally!
Open seven days a week from early mornings to late evenings, there are also monthly workshops including Sound Baths, Cacao Ceremonies, Breath Work and Gong Baths, plus so much more.
STAY
With its spectacular sea views from Tankerton’s slopes, The Marine Hotel (@marinetankerton) is a special setting for dinner and drinks or a luxurious weekend break.
The hotel, which has 30 boutique bedrooms - 20 with sea views and many with private balconies - also provides dog-friendly rooms, offering guests a classic seaside break in a stunning location.
The restaurant serves delicious fresh food, using the finest seasonal and local produce as well as local seafood whenever possible, for its modern British menu.
Guests can unwind in style in the bar and lounge - gazing out to sea while sampling traditional Kentish beers from Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame. Distinctive cask ales alongside a selection of international lagers, and a good choice of wines, means you’re sure to find something to whet your appetite.
Plus, if you’re driving, there is a car park at the back of the hotel, with three electric-car-charging points.
In the centre of the town, The Duke of Cumberland (@dukeswhitstable) is a unique place to dine, drink and stay. The historic pub with rooms, which dates back to 1867, boasts a prominent position at the top of the High Street. It has recently had an extensive transformation, retaining its unique character while introducing a new look and feel.
Each of the guest rooms has its own style and character, named after historic oyster-fishing vessels that were built in Whitstable yards about 1900 and including the iconic Gamecock, which was built at Island Wall in 1907.
To celebrate this heritage, all guests will be welcomed with complimentary bottles of Whitstable Bay beer in their room on arrival.
The Duke restaurant offers a delicious seasonal menu, and seafood fans won’t want to miss out on a delicious new addition - the Midweek Mussels Menu, available Monday to Thursday - which offers a serving of fresh steamed mussels in seven tantalising sauce varieties, including Orchard View cider, leek and shallot cream; Spitfire Ale and bacon; and Steamed Bombay-Curried Mussels with shallots, brandy and garam masala - served with freshly-baked sourdough bread and skin-on fries.
When the weather is fine, enjoy al fresco dining and drinking in the spacious courtyard garden, including an outside kitchen.
THE ARTS
Where the High Street meets the beach front, The Horsebridge (@thehorsebridge) has the mantra of being “a place where everybody can experience creativity. Everyone is welcome, everyone can take part”.
Open six days a week, the arts centre welcomes more than 90k locals and visitors through its doors every year and focuses on offering engaging creative spaces for artists to be discovered while also encouraging the community to get involved. Every week there are more than 40 different classes and every month there are films, artist talks, groups and clubs, along with 35 exhibitions a year.
One of those groups is Contemporary Kent Artists (@contemporary_kent_artists), who will be bringing their new exhibition The Love That Lasts Longest to three locations in the town this October.
The above artworks from L-R, (Bruce Willliams Peach and Pear, Jaz Bushell Just Imagine, Kim O'Neill 51.2040894 - 0.7170145, Liz Atkin These Waves Never Reach The Shore, Grief Drawing Series).
W Somerset Maugham, one of many illustrious one-time residents of Whitstable, wrote in his notebook about “the love that lasts longest”. This concept inspired Whitstable art enthusiast and events organiser Maxine Russo and her partner James Gilgunn, a Margate artist, to devise the concept for their inaugural Contemporary Kent Artists exhibition series. These take place throughout October at three locations: The Horsebridge Arts Centre, Bruce Williams Gallery and The Boatyard.
Some 21 artists, ranging in experience from emerging to established, coming from a wide diversity of backgrounds from across Whitstable and Kent, have been selected to produce exciting and original art examining the theme of The Love That Lasts Longest and what this means to them, be it love of art, people, places, items or experiences. Sponsor Shepherd Neame will award the first prize, The Shepherd Neame Kent Artist Award; The Contemporary Art Academy is sponsoring second prize; and there will be a People’s Choice vote for third prize.
SEE THE CKA LIST OF EVENTS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ARTICLE.
Later this autumn, the first-ever Whitstable Ceramics Fair (@whitstableceramicsfair) is coming to The Horsebridge for three days from Friday to Sunday, November 21st-23rd. Some 25 ceramicists will be exhibiting across the weekend, including both well-known makers and those selling for the first time. There will be an amazing range of work for sale, from the functional to the sculptural and whimsical, demonstrating the incredible variety of contemporary work being made with clay.
In Oxford Street, Chappell Contemporary (@chappell_contemporary) is about as far away from your quaint little seaside gallery as you can get - you won’t find any pictures of sunsets or beach huts, but you might find giant sachets of Heinz Tomato Ketchup and ironic neons.
The gallery was established in 2015 by Paula Chappell, who handpicks each artwork from her favourite modern artists from around the UK.
“I wanted to bring stuff that’s more fresh, more vibrant, and I try to bring a new level of art to the town,” she says. “It’s the colour that I’m attracted to and I will only sell art that I love myself.”
Paula’s experience in the art world has seen her go from artist to curator. Having studied sculpture at Wimbledon School of Art, Paula took on a studio in Hoxton to try to bring her own work to the public.
“You come out of art school thinking that you’re going to be the next Tracey Emin, but you don’t have a clue of how to sell art because art schools just don’t tell you,” she says. “I started figuring out I needed to put shows on… so I got into the curation side of things - putting on shows.”
Having moved from east London to the Kent coast 15 years ago, a period managing the Lilford Gallery in Canterbury led to Paula opening Chappell Contemporary a decade ago.
“Opening my own space allowed me the freedom to explore new work and build relationships with artists that I had long admired,” she says, while the gallery also focuses on helping customers find the perfect piece to suit their home.
“The gallery has an exciting, fun vibe. We understand that galleries can be intimidating environments, but we hope Chappell Contemporary isn’t one of those galleries.”
In fact, Chapell goes the extra mile to help customers, even offering ‘Own Art Loans’, which offer 0% finance for people to buy their favourite pieces - making top-level art affordable.
“We offer art as investments,” says Paula, “but our mantra is ‘Only buy art you love’.”
RETAIL THERAPY
At 34 Harbour Street, brand-new store Fern (@fern_whitstable) has arrived, bringing classic women’s clothing and accessories as well as shabby-chic furniture and funky finds.
Already legendary for its Sip & Shop nights where customers are welcomed with a free glass of Pimm’s while they peruse the range of clothing and boutique silver jewellery from in-house pop-up Mapelles, Fern is a little oasis in the bustling street of indie retailers.
Further down the High Street, We Sell by the Sea (@we_sell_by_the_sea) is a fun and vibrant marketplace with weekly-changing businesses popping up in-store. After setting up her business in preloved and reloved clothes and accessories, founder Octavia couldn’t find a suitable outlet to sell in person and so with a friend they started She Sells by the Sea, a pop-up market for similar businesses.
Taking on an old betting shop, she pulled together friends and family and a little help from nearby businesses Duma and Chappell Contemporary Gallery to transform the space. It now has nine pods ready for people to create their own mini shops, while you can also expect workshops in such things as learning how to lino-print, craft- and cookie-decorating for kids, making bouquets and wreaths, learning how to make jewellery and more.
You will know Fuchsia Green (@fuchsiagreenshop) as soon as you pass it on the High Street - the brilliant aromas of beautiful plants and eye-catching exotic species are a treat for the senses. Having had their plant shop in the town for more than two years, Fuschia Green is a twofold business with one mission - to green up your life.
The team have been designing gardens in Kent for more than a decade, helping some 200 customers a year to create a green oasis in their homes. Specialising in blurring the lines between inside and outside with design-led green styling, Fuschia Green works with customers to create a garden of their dreams… and, what’s more, the inspiration can start in its shop on the High Street. With a huge selection of house plants and pots to choose from, the shop even offers interactive opportunities to help customers learn and work with their plants at monthly Terrarium workshops.
FOOD & DRINK
At the harbour itself, there are numerous options for shopping and dining, with pop-ups setting up and rotating in the Harbour Market huts as well as harbourside restaurants. At the centre is the South Quay Shed, with its retail stores upstairs overlooking the central dining area, which is served by a main bar as well as burger, pizza and various other outlets.
With its beachside location and sea views, The Pearson’s Arms (@pearsonsarms) is an unbelievable spot for crafted cocktails, great food and the buzz of live music.
Owned by Jake Alder, wife Chloe and their family, The Pearson’s is known as a music hotspot and welcoming pub as well as an inviting restaurant that elevates pub classics, focusing on locally-sourced produce for its homemade honest cooking.
Jake, a passionate cocktail-maker, has a wealth of knowledge, having worked in bars across Europe before taking over the Grove Ferry pub on the outskirts of Canterbury in the early 2000s aged just 21.
While it is renowned for its Sunday roasts, the weekly food and entertainment nights have already got tongues wagging. There is live music on Friday 8pm, Saturday 4pm and 8pm, and again on Sunday 5pm. Look out for Curry Night, the bi-weekly Pie Night and Steak Night every Thursday, which is £50 for two people, including a carafe of wine - it’s sensational!
Fancy a little Spanish cuisine, well, Harbour Street Tapas (@harbourstreettapas) has been bringing timeless classics to Whitstable since 2016, pairing authentic Spanish produce with the best local and seasonal fare. The always sociable atmosphere is one of the big draws - guests can either sit on benches and watch the world go by or turn and see the flaming flavours pouring out of the nearby kitchen. You simply cannot go wrong with the classic tortilla with potato, onion and aioli, as well as the chorizo in Rioja and honey. And make sure you try the Basque Cheesecake!
To cool down, a must-visit is the multi-award-winning Bears Ice Cream Imaginarium (@bearsicecream). There’s a reason this place has a queue out the door - not just its use of natural ingredients but its wild flavour combinations that you just don’t find anywhere else.
Founded by couple Phil Harrison and Vera Thordardottir in London in 2016, the pair moved their family to Whitstable in 2022 to make use of the incredible produce that Kent has - in fact, they do their bit against food waste, even partnering with local grocers to use over-ripened bananas in their ice cream for a sweeter natural flavour.
Innovation is at the heart of the store, which serves unique ice cream recipes designed by award-winning chef Phil - the Lavender and Blueberry Jam, Meringue Swirl took home Gold from the Taste of Kent Awards in 2024, while it has also made the national press for its ice cream combos. The Miso Banana Butterscotch Ice Cream secured third place at the Gelato Festival World Masters 2024 London Heat.
On our trip, we went for the Chocolate & Peanut Popcorn Crunch - and it was everything we thought it would be.
For an all-day dining experience, Thirty Nine is run by a father-daughter duo with a passion for creating a warm, welcoming space for all. From its substantial breakfast menu, through to lunch burritos and Asian-fusion evening menu, there really is something for everyone.
For a caffeine hit, Revival offers an inclusive and community feel space that is as quirky as it is friendly - with indoor water features and vinyl constantly playing. Alternatively, the local expertise of Garage Coffee is one for the aficionados and always shines through with its home-roasted beans and high-level international knowledge.
Neat little wine bar Vinko (@vinkowine) is co-owned by Brad and Ewa. Brad is the former manager of Read’s Restaurant in Faversham, while both are sommeliers and started Vinko after retiring from the restaurant industry. They took the leap to open their wine shop and tasting room in Whitstable - look out for their ‘wine and art’ events as well as regular pop-ups from guest winemakers.
At the Coach & Horses (@coachandhorseswhitstable), Maddie O’Shea and Sarah Jones-O’Shea have re-energised the historic 17th-century hostelry since taking it over back in 2023.
With polaroids of regulars on fun nights - both two- and four-legged ones - filling up the walls, a Guinness drinking game and a colourful mural by a local artist in the refreshed suntrap beer garden, if you want fun this is the place to find it.
The pair, who have been married for six years and now proudly fly the LGBTQ+ flag from the garden, have brought a series of live-music events back to the pub.
The CoHo Collective DJs play every Saturday, while there is live music every Friday.
Check out the Open Mic nights on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, while a weekly pub quiz is held on Tuesdays.
With the kitchen open daily, serving seasonal produce as well as some naughty treats, Sundays are a unique-to-the-area offering with the Irish Sunday Lunch - think Beef & Stout Irish Stew and Bacon & Cabbage or Guinness Braised Beef Shortrib. Nice.
With its friendly vibe, generous portions and vibrant menu, Junior’s Deli (@juniors_whitstable) has quickly become a much-loved favourite in Whitstable.
Serving up classic bagels, hearty breakfasts and a variety of deli favourites, Junior’s is all about fresh, quality ingredients sourced from trusted local suppliers.
Whether you’re popping in for a quick bite on the go or settling down with a coffee to watch the world go by, you’ll find a warm welcome and plenty of flavour. Our tip would be to go for the Full English (obviously) or the Salmon with Dill Crème Fraiche, Lemon and Poached Egg on Sourdough - yum!
The most picturesque pub in Whitstable is The Old Neptune (@the_old_neptune. Literally on the beach, the character of the iconic boozer is unrivalled. From its undulating floors to the warm welcome, its vibe is entirely unique.
‘The Neppy’ as it is known locally was built some time before 1850 on the site of a boatyard but been destroyed twice by storms - before being restored.
Image by Frankie Julian
The windows, the floor and the bar are all warped and slope, aged by the weather, shaped by the waves and as resilient as old Neptune himself. Look out for its amazing cod and chips and enjoy a pint of Shepherd Neame beer with the best backdrop in the town.
How about taking away a memento of your visit? Well, the Neppy has its own Whitstable Harbour Gin (@whitstableharbourgin). A ‘cene favourite, the award-winning brand, founded by Justine Setterfield and Darren Wilton, is delicately crafted by expert distillers in traditional copper stills; the small-batch London Dry is both inspired by and infused with sea plants native to the ancient shoreline and saltmarshes of Whitstable.
Sea Buckthorn & Samphire (which has won a Great Taste Award) delivers a fruitiness that gently complements the hint of citrus, subtly blended with the crisp saltiness of the samphire and the 10 carefully-selected botanicals to give a perfectly clean, refreshing gin. Meanwhile, the Kent Cherry & Hibiscus includes hibiscus flower blended with cherry juice from Perry Court Farm to flavour and naturally sweeten.
This year, they opened their own bar attached to Marina in Harbour Street, while they were also Highly Commended in the Gin Guide Awards, Coastal category. Grab a bottle to take home a taste of Whitstable.
Complete line-up of CKA all events:
1 October to 26 October 2025
Exhibition at Thirty Nine Whitstable for EKOH participating artists
(Organised by EKOH)
Thursday 2 October 2025 Private View for the exhibition for East Kent Artists’ Open Houses at Thirty Nine, Whitstable (Organised by EKOH)
Wednesday 8 October 2025
Private View of CKA artists at Bruce Williams Gallery, Whitstable
Thursday 9 October 2025
Private View for CKA exhibition ‘The love that lasts longest’ at The Horsebridge Arts Centre, Whitstable
(Organised by CKA)
Thursday 9 October 2025
CKA exhibition at Bruce Williams’ gallery opens
(Organised by CKA)
Friday 10th October 2025
CKA exhibition ‘The love that lasts longest’ opens to the public at The Horsebridge Arts Centre
Saturday 11 October 2025
Pretending People play at the Boatyard, Duke of Cumberland
(Organised by CKA)
11 / 12 October 2025
EKOH first weekend
Monday 13 October 2025
Meet Up at Thirty Nine Whitstable at 10am
(Organised by EKOH & WAF) Three artists will talk about an exhibited work and will show the sketchbooks or documentations for the work
Wednesday 15 October 2025 Artists Talk Back at Thirty Nine Whitstable at 6.30pm
(Organised by EKOH)
Two artists who want to talk about their work in the exhibition
Thursday 16 October 2025 CKA Poetry Event at 6pm hosted by Jane O’Brien
CKA Artist’s Talk at 7.15pm: Tracie Peisley (tbc) & Shringi Kumari led by Dr June Balshaw and James Gilgunn
at The Horsebridge
(Organised by CKA)
Friday 17 October 2025
GUM! with art group Assembly (an art pop band and artist led event)
at the Boatyard, Duke of Cumberland
(Organised by CKA)
18 / 19 October 2025 EKOH second weekend
Sunday 19 October 2025
Kent Art Award announcement and presentation evening at the Boatyard, Duke of Cumberland
Music by The Wallis Collection
(Organised by CKA)
Sunday 19 October – Monday 3 November 2025
CKA artists exhibit at the Boatyard, Duke of Cumberland
(organised by CKA)
Wednesday 22 October 2025 Meet Up at Thirty Nine Whitstable at 10am (Organised by EKOH)
Thursday 23 October 2025 Artists Talk Back at the Boatyard, Duke of Cumberland Whitstable’s Artistic Legacy: A visual history of local artists and venues that have prepared the way for Whitstable’s current artists and creatives
A panel talk (and slide show) led by established artists
(Organised by CKA & WAF collaborative event)
Friday 24 October 2025
Secret Gig Band play at the Boatyard, Duke of Cumberland
(Organised by CKA)
25 / 26 October 2025 EKOH Third weekend
Saturday 25 October 2025
The Dead Pelicans play at the Boatyard, Duke of Cumberland
(Organised by CKA)
Sunday 26 October 2025
CKA - Tim Barton, Bella Barton and Friends play at the Boatyard, Duke of Cumberland
(Organised by CKA)
Thursday 30 October 2025
Artists Talk Back / WAF at the Boatyard, Duke of Cumberland Liz Atkin and Kim O’Neil
(CKA & WAF collaborative event Organised by WAF / Liz May & Lucy Boutwood)
Friday 31 October 2025
CKA – Open mic poetry night hosted by Jane O'Brien at the Boatyard, Duke of Cumberland
(Organised by CKA)
Saturday 1 November 2025
CKA - Big Orange Head play at the Boatyard, Duke of Cumberland
(Organised by CKA)
Sunday 2 November 2025
CKA - Jazz afternoon 4pm to 6pm at the Boatyard, Duke of Cumberland
Jazz with Lynne Wallis accompanied by Steve Hennings
