Kent coast · seafood · art · car-free
Whitstable and Margate give you two very different Kent coast moods. Whitstable is for oysters, harbour walks, independent shops and slow sea air. Margate is for Turner Contemporary, vintage shops, Dreamland, sandy beach energy and a brighter creative edge.
Best for
sea air, oysters, art, vintage shops, photography and an easy car-free day
Time needed
one full day for one town; two towns work best with an early train
No car route
Southeastern trains from London St Pancras, Victoria or Charing Cross
Best plan
Whitstable for food and calm; Margate for art, beach and vintage energy
Which town to choose
Whitstable is compact, salty and food-led: a working harbour, shingle beach, seafood restaurants, narrow streets and a slower pace. Choose it if you want a gentle day by the water and a proper seafood stop.
Margate feels brighter and more urban: wide sandy beach, Turner Contemporary, Dreamland, vintage shops and a stronger creative scene. Choose it if you want art, shops and a bit more energy around your seaside walk.
First time? Pick one town if you are leaving London late. Doing both is possible, but the day is much nicer when it does not become a train timetable exercise.
How to get there from London
Whitstable and Margate are served by Southeastern. Trains usually run from London St Pancras International, Victoria, Charing Cross or London Bridge, depending on the route and day.
Check live routes on National Rail, and compare tickets on Trainline. Prices change often, especially by time, demand, ticket type and how early you book.
A Whitstable day plan
- Start at Whitstable station. Walk towards the High Street and harbour.
- Browse the centre. The independent shops are part of the charm, so do not rush straight to the beach.
- Walk the harbour and seafront. Boats, beach huts, shingle, seafood stalls and wide sea views.
- Plan a seafood stop. Book ahead if you have a specific restaurant in mind.
- Continue to Tankerton Slopes. It gives the day more space and a quieter finish.
A Margate day plan
Margate works best as an art-and-beach day. Start with Turner Contemporary, then wander through Old Town, check the vintage shops, look at Dreamland’s programme and leave time for the seafront.
- Turner Contemporary is the main cultural stop on the seafront.
- Dreamland is a retro amusement park and events space.
- Shell Grotto is strange, memorable and very Margate.
- Old Town is best for vintage shops, small galleries, coffee and bars.
Where to eat and drink
Whitstable
- The Whitstable Oyster Company for classic oysters and seafood.
- Wheelers Oyster Bar for a small, famous seafood stop on High Street.
- The Lobster Shack for casual seafood by the water.
- The Old Neptune for a beachside pub feel.
Practical tips
- Check the tide. The beach can feel completely different depending on the water level.
- Book food ahead. Popular seafood restaurants fill quickly on weekends.
- Bring a wind layer. The coast can be cooler than London, even in summer.
- Do not overpack the day. Whitstable and Margate can be combined, but one town often makes a better day.
- Check trains before leaving. Weekend engineering works can change routes and journey times.
