VisitEngland would like to invite you to take part in a short survey about our website, it should take no more than a couple of minutes. July is the month of the Whitstable Oyster Festival She loves a glass of English sparkling wine, afternoon tea with friends and escaping London for gastronomic adventures. The Hotel Continental – a 3 star hotel directly facing the beach (ask for a sea view). Ready to plan a weekend break in Whitstable? The festival also plays host to live music and comedy from top performers. Due to its popularity, the festival has now spread from Whitstable harbour to Tankerton Slopes so you can walk along the promenade and enjoy all the festivities. Check out these recommendations for the Best Places to Stay in Whitstable. As you’d expect, there’s Kentish cider, music and a few well-placed benches from which to enjoy the great view looking out to sea. It’s a 10 minute walk into the centre of Whitstable, The Marine Hotel – lovely 3 star hotel located on Tankerton Cliffs, owned by Shepherd Neame Brewery. July events: Dive into the famous Whitstable Oyster Festival, Fish market signs in Whitstable © Paul Spree, 9 ways to escape the everyday in Yorkshire with AJ Odudu, 9 ways to escape the everyday in Suffolk with Fred Sirieix, 9 ways to escape the everyday in London with Clare Balding, 8 of the best things to do in Tees Valley, Find out more about Whitstable Oyster Festival, Walk along the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, Enjoy a taste of farmhouse luxury in Kent, Sleep in the treetops on an overnight safari in Kent. Don’t go home without buying an ice cream from Sundae Sundae. Oysters should smell of the sea and nothing else – ‘if in doubt, throw it out’. I love it. The succulent "Native" oysters are unlike any other and have been harvested here since medieval times. Whitstable Oyster Festival. Whitstable Railway Station, Old Bridge Road, Whitstable, Kent,CT5 1RB, Website: www.whitstableoysterfestival.com. Whitstable in England's Kent is an oyster-lover's paradise. This usually takes place on Tankerton Slopes. Whitstable Harbour: Whitstable Oyster Festival - See 972 traveller reviews, 433 candid photos, and great deals for Whitstable, UK, at Tripadvisor. The Whitstable Oyster Festival Association (WOFA) organises the festival. This echoes what took place in Norman times when local fishermen would celebrate every summer with a festival of thanksgiving for the plentiful fish in the sea. The vibrant, family-friendly festival - an homage to the shellfish for which Whitstable is famous - takes place in the town every summer. Whitstable Oyster Festival . The town's pride and joy, the Whitstable Native Oyster (left in the photo above) is small and bluish, firm and with a clean taste of the sea. Well this is too good for a Gills Gal to miss so we headed down to check it out (and see how many oysters we could eat in one sitting). The oysters shucked at the festival are the more common rock oyster first introduced from the Pacific specifically for farming but they are grown in Whitstable. Think all things oyster related but also picnics on the beach, crabbing, kite flying and brass bands. It’s a key date for foodies in Britain who come to enjoy the town’s party atmosphere all in homage to the world famous Whitstable oyster. You can’t beat the Whitstable Oyster Festival for a great family day out by the sea in Britain. A big big thank you to Whitstable Oyster Festival Association volunteers for their invaluable support over this weekend - WOF wouldn’t be possible without you!. © Whitstable Oyster Festival 2020 | Produced by FULL on behalf of Canterbury City CouncilFULL on behalf of Canterbury City Council The British native or ‘flat’ oyster for which Whitstable is known, spawns from May to August so it can’t be eaten at the festival itself. All you need is a cheap day return ticket by train and a glorious sunny day. by The Foodie Travel Guide | Jul 25, 2019, Whitstable Oyster Festival, Whitstable, Kent, (July). Whitstable Harbour: Whitstable Oyster Festival - See 971 traveler reviews, 433 candid photos, and great deals for Whitstable, UK, at Tripadvisor. Whitstable Oyster Festival Whitstable is well known for its seafood and no more so than during its annual Oyster Festival which takes place in July. Cyclists can visit Whitstable Oyster Festival as they pedal along the Oyster Bay Trail. Whitstable Oyster Festival kicks off each year with the ‘Landing of the Oysters’ on Long Beach. The Whitstable Oyster Festival is a wonderful summertime communtiy celebration. Whitstable Oyster Festival, Whitstable, Kent, (July) The seaside town of Whitstable really comes alive each summer for its annual Oyster Festival in July. In the small Kentish town of Whitstable, a large part of life revolves around oysters. The Whitstable Oyster Festival Association reports that 2,000 year old oyster shells excavated in modern Rome have been traced back to Whitstable. If you're happy for us to use cookies simply continue to use our website as normal. The festival, which roots can been traced back to Norman times, has been criticised in the past for overcrowding and the mess that’s left behind. Inspired designs on t-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. School is out, the sun shines brightly in the summer sky and all across this lovely town, there are oysters waiting to be gobbled up and bottles of fizz to be popped open. Head to bohemian Whistable in July for a two-day celebration of the area’s famous oyster trade, featuring food, music and revelry aplenty! They loved them so much that they exported great quantities from our shores to Rome. If you'd like to block cookies, please read our Privacy Policy. So it is only to be expected that - every once in a while - the inhabitants should get together to celebrate their livelihood. Best Oysters in Whitstable, Kent: Find 16,751 Tripadvisor traveller reviews of THE BEST Oysters and search by price, location, and more. Whitstable’s best places to eat Whitstable will be forever associated with oysters and rightfully so - it is a superb foodie destination. Whitstable has its own train station so it’s an easy day trip by train from London (trains leave from either Victoria or St. Pancras station), Bring your walking shoes – you can walk everywhere in Whitstable but there are also great walks along the coast, Head to the Whitstable Oyster Company for dinner. Head to this gorgeous seaside town in July for the ‘Landing of the Oysters’ at Long Beach, the colourful Oyster Parade and, of course, to eat as many tasty oysters as you can manage. It is the advisory group for the festival, and they welcome new members. Oyster Festival Fun. Whitstable Oyster Festival. This is celebrated at the annual Whitstable Oyster Festival, which takes place during the summer. One of the biggest events on Kents calendar, the annual Whitstable Oyster Festival in trendy Whitstable is far more than a foodies fiesta. Learn more about Whitstable Oyster Festival Stay in a boutique hotel, rent a fisherman’s hut for your break, or simply camp on Whitstable Hill and soak up those sea views. Whitstable Oyster Festival has become the latest major Kent event to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Whitstable Oyster Festival. Like wine and lavender, we have the greedy Romans to thank for the proliferation of this juicy bivalve which is known for its naughty by nice aphrodisiac qualities. An otherwise difficult taste to describe, a French poet named Léon-Paul Fargue perhaps said it best when he likened eating an oyster to “kissing the sea on the lips.” Luckily for us, there are thousands of festivals all over the world that celebrate the culinary delicacy. Whitstable was famous for its 'Native Oysters' which were collected from beds beyond the low water mark from Roman times until the mid-20th century. But oyster-eating in Whitstable dates back even further … Whitstable Harbour, Tankerton Slopes & Town Centre Join us as we celebrate the famous annual Whitstable Oyster Festival ! Every year, the beautiful seaside town hosts a series of colourful events, mixing traditional coastal celebrations with modern festivities including a huge parade, and the bustling Harbour Food Fair with dishes and drinks from around the globe. Pictures have emerged showing the state festival goers left Whitstable beach after a boozy day celebrating the annual event dedicated to oysters. Get in touch with your wild side in Kent this spring with a true African experience that the whole family will rave about. The wine is just as important at the Knysna Oyster Festival … WOFA is the organisation that keeps the Whitstable Oyster Festival community flame alive, with some members having been involved since the reintroduction of the festival in the 1980s! Whitstable Oyster Festival 2019 takes place on 27-29 July; get the dates in your diary and avoid missing this unique beach festival! The town’s famous oyster beds inspired local writers, from Charles Dickens, to Somerset Maugham. Do they have a dog show? Whitstable is famous for its oysters and every year this seafood is celebrated with a festival. Head to bohemian Whistable in July for a weeklong celebration of the areas famous oyster trade - with food, music and revellery aplenty! Luxury accommodation at Alkham Court with four individually styled bedrooms, each with their own charm. It’s a fabulous fun-filled festival not just for food lovers but for all the family. Whitstable Oyster Festival is on my top 10 list of foodie days out in Britain. The cycle path runs between Swalecliffe and Reculver past Tankerton Slopes and Herne Bay. One of the biggest events in Kent’s calendar, the annual oyster festival in trendy Whitstable is far more than a foodie’s fiesta. Whitstable may be a traditional seaside resort but it has an adorable quirky and colourful personality. Enter the password that accompanies your e-mail. You’ll reach the slopes if you go beyond the fishing harbour and continue walking along the promenade. It’s mostly on flat surfaced paths and is just under 7 miles long. It’s in an old warehouse right on the beach, It can get very busy so if you don’t fancy the crowds, weekends in the autumn can be a lovely time to visit when there’s still a buzz around the harbour. Head to bohemian Whistable in July for a two-day celebration of the area’s famous oyster trade, featuring food, music and revelry aplenty! This enchanting way runs between Whitstable … Once past the rows of candy-striped beach huts, the slopes come into sight. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. Sally is the founder and editor of The Foodie Travel Guide. Tourists can reach Whitstable to participate in the festival taking the famous cyclists’ way called ‘Crab & Winkle Way’. The Whitstable Oyster Festival has been running since 1985, but the cultivation of oysters in the area began during the Roman occupation and the festival can be … It’s a key date for foodies in Britain who come to enjoy the town’s party atmosphere all in homage to the world famous Whitstable oyster. Thousands of visitors make the annual pilgrimage to this traditional Kent seaside town which is characterised by its colourful beach huts and grotters, piles of oyster shells that glisten like jewels on the beach at twilight. This weekend, July 22—24th, Whitstable celebrates its famous oysters with the Whitstable Oyster Festival, this year held on Tankerton Slopes. It would almost be a crime not to try an oyster during a visit to this lovely seaside town in Kent, but if you don’t like seafood, don’t despair, eating marine bounty is not compulsory. Food Festivals Whitstable Oyster Festival Every July, a seaside town pays homage to its local mollusks with eating contests, a marine-themed parade, and plenty of fresh seafood. Held in July each year, the Whitstable Oyster Festival is the highlight of Kent’s calendar and an event that can be traced back to the 11th century, when locals blessed the waters and gave thanks for their bounty. Breath in England's timeless beauty with a walk along this world famous stretch of coastline. High quality Whitstable Oyster Festival gifts and merchandise. She travels around the UK and beyond in search of the best foodie days out, tasting experiences and delicious places to stay. When the sun’s out it’s hard to beat rolling your trousers up and picking your way … As you’d expect, there’s an oyster eating competition which is very popular, an oyster parade and oyster stalls all along the harbour and promenade. Knysna Oyster Festival, South Africa. Whitstable. The festival offers a delightful pick and mix of good old-fashioned family entertainment, traditional British seaside fun and a giant seafood party by the sea. Whitstable Oyster Festival; Latest information on COVID-19 and travel to the UK. Sample some of the best wine, cider and juices in the country in Kent. Whitstable is one of England’s most beautiful coastal towns, brimming with artists, boutiques, excellent dining, and gorgeous scenic walks. Whitstable Oyster Festival has become so popular that it now supports a food fair of its own. The dates of the Whitstable Oyster Festival for 2020 is Friday 24th July to Monday 27th July. Whitstable Oyster Festival Head to this gorgeous seaside town in July for the ‘Landing of the Oysters’ at Long Beach, the colourful Oyster Parade and, of course, to eat as many tasty oysters as you can manage. These bivalves are then carried along by a procession and serenaded with music. The popular seafood festival may have been running since 1985 but the cultivation of oysters in the area goes way back to the Roman occupation. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Other activities include the ‘Mud Tug’, a tug-o-war on the beach, morris dancing and live bands who perform on the Harbour stage. Soak up the vibes. Whitstable Oyster Festival is a fabulous doggy day out for me. The oysters are brought ashore for a formal blessing before being distributed to the town’s restaurants. The seaside town of Whitstable really comes alive each summer for its annual Oyster Festival in July. For the best places to eat and drink in Whitstable, check out Foodie Things To Do in Whitstable. The Whitstable Oyster Festival has its roots in Norman times when fishermen held a service of thanksgiving around the feast day of St James of Compostella, considered the patron saint of oystermen. One of the biggest events in Kent’s calendar, the annual oyster festival in trendy Whitstable is far more than a foodie’s fiesta. If you don’t mind crowds, you could try to coincide your trip with the annual Whitstable Oyster Festival, held every year (usually in July) to celebrate the town’s historic links with the oyster industry.