De-stress and Relaxation

Whitstable Harbour

Whitstable Harbour lies on the North Kent coast at the mouth of the River Swale. It is a visible link that Whitstable has with its interesting history, which includes diving , ship owning, fishing and world-wide trade. The connection with the Canterbury and Whitstable railway - the Crab & Winkle Line - was the reason for the harbour's construction in 1831: to bring heavy materials, such as coal, from Newcastle to Canterbury.

Whitstable Harbour remains a working harbour. On the East Quay, there are Brett's aggregate importation and asphalt production for the construction industry in Kent. On the West Quay, there is fishing as well as wind farm maintenance operations. Fishing and related activities, such as the retailing of the catch, continues on the South Quay.

In addition, leisure and sporting activities have flourished with the sea scouts, yacht, angling, kite and wind surf activities all based on harbour land, along with the Royal National Lifeboat Institute. Leisure has also developed, from a marine angle, with Greta barge tours and a gastronomic one with café, restaurant and market.

Tourists' attractions include The Oyster Festival, Harbour Open Day and the Harbour barge/boat race.

key