insideKENT Magazine Issue 52 - July 2016 | Page 113

TOWNSPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT
ON

Whitstable

Think of Whitstable and the first thing that comes to mind is probably oysters.
Delicious, succulent, fresh oysters. But this pretty Kentish seaside town is
much more than the sum of its seafood. BY LISAMARIE LAMB

HISTORY IN BRIEF
It is impossible to visit Whitstable without feeling
immersed in history from the start. There is so
much of a story that the town has to tell that it
is all but bursting from the buildings and springing
from the streets and the sea itself. It’s everywhere.
But where did it all begin?
Although the area has – according to
archaeologists – been inhabited since as far back
as the Palaeolithic era, it wasn’t until the Roman
ages when the town really came into its own.
This is when the world famous oysters were
discovered, and the Romans began harvesting
them and making businesses out of them. Other
trades in the area included salt production since
its coastal position was so good.
Whitstable was known as Witenstaple when it
was recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086,
and the name simply referred to a landmark – a
white post – which was used to offer directions
to travellers who were passing through. As time
went on and the oyster industry grew, Whitstable

became more than a meeting place for travellers
and was in fact the administrative centre for the
area which reached as far as Blean near
Canterbury. It included Seasalter, Swalecliffe and
Northwood. A lot of farming and industry went
on in the area – pigs were kept in the forest at
Blean, Northwood was responsible for the salt
works and fishers were found at Seasalter. It was
a busy, bustling, thriving area with Whitstable (as
it became known in 1610) at its heart.
By the time the 18th century came about,
Whitstable and its exports were even more in
demand. So much so that a special toll road was
built between Whitstable and Canterbury in order
to assist with the traffic that was constantly
heading in or out of the town, to and from London.
Since it was such a popular trading town, people
began to visit a lot more to see what else it had
to offer, and soon enough it became a hotspot
for seaside fun. The first bathing adverts began
appearing in 1768, and they worked wonderfully
well, bringing visitors from across the South East
and beyond.

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THINGS TO DO
Whitstable Castle & Gardens
Whitstable Castle, also known as Tankerton
Towers, recently underwent a £3 million
refurbishment and is now managed by the
Whitstable Castle Trust, allowing for a full and
unique history of the castle to b e available to all.
The castle itself is impressive, but it is perhaps
the gardens that are the most famously enjoyed
part of the place. There is a play area for the little
ones and a well-stocked tearoom serving
homemade delicacies and a special afternoon
tea. The castle often has special events on, and
it is always worth a visit.
The Crab & Winkle Way
The Crab & Winkle Way is a cycle route that
stretches from Whitstable to Canterbury for a
good seven miles of traffic-free enjoyment.
Available to riders of all abilities, this is a great
chance to see East Kent from a different
perspective. And don’t forget to look out for the
handmade wooden sea creatures that are dotted
along the route!