FEATURE | WHITSTABLE
Will Travel for
OYSTERS
Malu Lambert takes a pre-covid trip to one of Britain’s famous seaside towns
A
burnt orange, candy-cane sky above, a whorl of slate blues and bobbing boats below. You’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped into a Turner seascape when visiting the town of Whitstable, along the north coast of Kent in England. In fact, the artist loved to paint the town’s spectacular sunsets. Whitstable is approximately two hours travel by train from London, and the close proximity to the capital is attracting visitors to its long pebble beaches, bustling harbour and quirky shops. The town is most famous for its native oyster (Britain’s only one), the origins of which can be traced back to Roman times; complete with gold coins being found in the ancient oyster beds. Interestingly, the saying ‘only eat
1 6
SOUTH AFRICAN CONNOISSEUR
Whitstable.indd 16
oysters in the months that contain the letter R’ originated here as those are the months of the native oyster season. It’s also famous for the world’s first-ever rail passenger service, which opened in 1830, locals called it the Crab and Winkle Line. In modernday Whitstable, the shellfish industry is still its main engine of commerce, generations pass cockling and winkling skills down to the next. But these days Whitstable has a renewed energy, with restaurants aplenty and a thriving art scene. Proving that Britain’s seaside towns are becoming popular once again with its citizens. On a pre-covid trip to London, it was an easy decision to hop on a train for a weekend of Britain’s freshest seafood, and to pay my respects to the 2000-year-old Whitstable oyster; it was just a pity the Crab and Winkle wasn’t running anymore.
WHERE TO STAY There isn’t a huge amount of accommodation to choose from, with only two formal hotels on offer, along with a number of B&Bs and self-catering options. Devotees to crustacea should stay at the Hotel Continental. It’s owned by The Whitstable Oyster Company, so be prepared for ample oyster-feasting in the hotel’s bistro. Situated on the seafront overlooking the Thames Estuary, this classic British seaside hotel offers contemporary beach-styled rooms. It’s also conveniently situated to walk to all Whitstable has to offer. And… an extension of the hotel are the nearby ‘Fisherman’s Huts’—dating back 150-years, the historic huts were formally fisherman stores, which have been converted to light and bright accommodation on the seafront. www.hotelcontinental.co.uk
2021/08/30 22:56
