Whitstable

A characterful small town just an hour or so from London on the north Kent coast, Whitstable looks out towards Essex across the Thames Estuary and the Isle of Sheppey across The Swale. The big attraction is the unspoilt nature of the place – a traditional seaside resort with long pebble beaches and a working harbour that supports a lively fish market. But it’s also a town that's been 'discovered', and is now known for its good quality, occasionally even sophisticated restaurants, excellent pubs – including a legendary one right on Whitstable's pebbly beach – and a thriving artistic community, whose recent gentrification has led to it being dubbed ‘Islington-on-Sea’. Unsurprisingly, it's a terrific place for a weekend break, and although Whitstable doesn't have a whole load of accommodation to choose from, it hosts a number of offbeat and interesting places to stay, from quirky B&Bs and coastal apartments to offbeat self-catering options and the odd boutique hotel.