Fisherman's Cottage

You couldn't be better placed for the seaside than at Fisherman's Cottage in Whitstable, Kent. Head out the back and you’re on the beach in a jiffy; leave by the front door and you’re among the independent shops of this buzzy town's main street in less than a minute. The harbour, the fishing boats and of course the oysters that Whitstable is famous for are also just moments away – you can see why the fishermen of yesteryear chose to live here. But this cottage has come a long way since its beginnings in the 1850s, offering clean and contemporary self-catering accommodation in the heart of a thriving seaside town. All that and it’s just an hour or so from London by road or rail.

It’s the ideal place for a week or a weekend away and with three bedrooms it works as well for two couples as it does for a family or a small group of friends. The whole place is whitewashed, with furniture, fittings and artwork all stylishly evoking the seaside – the door knocker is shaped like a starfish, there’s a mermaid on the wall and you’re helped up the stairs by a rope. It’s nautical but tasteful and much of it is sourced from the lovely boutiques you can browse a few steps away on Harbour Street in the centre of town.

You’ll find a family bathroom, a double and a single bedroom on the first floor with another double room up on the second floor. This one has a roll top bath in the room and its own toilet that’s partially hidden by a low level partition wall. The facilities and the sea view across nearby rooftops make this room the cream of the crop, but it’s worth noting that the stairs to get here are steep – not ideal for those with mobility issues and a little tricky for tots.

Downstairs there’s an open plan living and dining room with a galley kitchen and handy downstairs loo. Outside, there’s an enclosed, decked courtyard with seating, a barbecue and an outside shower for when you come back from the beach. It’s sheltered yet bathed in sun, from morning coffee until it’s time for a pre-dinner drink. And while it naturally makes for an idyllic summer getaway destination, the cottage is equally lovely in the winter with the woodburner transforming the space into a cosy cocoon that’s just the ticket after a bracing walk along the seafront.

Catering at home is easy thanks to the well-equipped kitchen but frankly it’s even easier to head out – you're temptingly close to lots of good options, from the seafood of Wheeler’s Oyster Bar and the Royal Native Oyster Stores to the pub grub of The Old Neptune on the beach, with plenty more in between. Seaside Heaven to be sure.