Whitstable is sparkling with festive joy as the town's beautiful boutiques, cafes and restaurants dress their windows for the season - and it's going to be even easier to enjoy the season with selected free parking in December!
Take a look at our guide on where to park - and where to shop - this Christmas in Whitstable. And remember that The Whitsparkle Christmas lantern parade and lights switch on is on November 29th from midday at the Harbour to get into the spirit!
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Free Festive Parking Thursdays
Santa is coming early! Canterbury City Council has gifted free parking for three Thursdays in December in Whitstable Centre and by the Harbour at Gorrell Tank so you can plan a whole day of shopping and eating and feeling festive and park for free all day and evening.
Let's start at Whitstable Harbour: park at Gorrell Tank opposite the Harbour and head for your first shopping stop at the South Quay Shed, the newly opened www.Chakahindi.co.uk has to be one of the brightest, colourful displays of clothing, scarves, bags and hats that will draw you in and deliver the perfect gift or of course that cheeky little purchase just for you!
Adjoining is the www.artshedwhitstable.com for beautiful local photography and curated gifts from further afield, definitely something for even the person that is hard to buy for!
Whilst in the Shed take a look at the food options and grab a coffee from Hat Hats upstairs or venture outside turn right and follow the market stall to the end where you will find Harbour Grind. Then make your way around the artisan & food market, these incredible (hardy) talented artists, crafters and foodies will engage you with their goods and their stories behind them.
Find out more about what's on at Whitstable Harbour.
You can then walk up to Harbour Street and have a lovely meander through the High Street, Oxford Street and right up to Canterbury Road. For a shorter walk you can move the car to Middle Row Car Park and leave the car there, handy for heading home after dinner.
Late Night Shopping
On the first Thursday December 4th, the independent businesses are all planning a wonderful late night shopping night where the town will be lit up with fabulous Christmas window displays and twinkling lights.
A market is planned by the library (subject to permissions) with mulled wine and artisan stalls and Christmas music, this will be a wonderful evening to really enter the spirit of the season. We are blessed to have so many independent shops, mainly with the owners helping in person in the store so please do share the joy of Christmas with them. Even just buying a small gift from several businesses will bring a huge smile and of course they won’t say no to a bigger purchase!
If it’s kitchen & homewares you are after then don’t miss www.Copperfieldsofwhitstable.com 95 High Street. For toys, games, books for children visit www.Buttercupwhitstable.co.uk and www.HarbourBooks.org on Harbour Street and www.ToysnTrends.com 79 High Street.
Everyone loves a little greenery and www.FuchsiaGreenshop.com106 High Street which has you covered for terrariums, pots, hangers and the most beautiful plant collection. For vintage and those famous cushions go to www.facebook.com/Whitstabubblehome 106B High Street
www.georgeswhitstable.com has everything you need for the season Christmas, cards, decorations, gifts, and homewares. The windows are always worth a slow walk to the door!
For some very special chocolate visit www.KakawaArtisan.com 75 Oxford Street, it will definitely tempt you to treat yourself as well as those on the gift list!
Good news it that www.theLRMStudio.com are reopening for Christmas selling table ceramics, Lauren’s beautiful candles and her art. Find her at 29 Oxford street
Good Cheer!
There are so many pubs, bars and restaurants to try such as Amedea, Samphire, Woodfire Kitchen, Ship Centurion, A la Turka, The Lazy Lobster, Pearson's Arms, Whitstable Oyster Company and the Harbour Street Fish Bar, for an extensive guide for shopping and eating follow the Shop & Eat link on this website.
If you are too tired to stay and eat, grab a pizza from www.Nomadpizzawhitstable.co.uk and on all three Thursdays get free garlic bread or dough balls but do try and pop into one of the bars or cafes first!
Many of the shops will be open late on all three Thursdays - 4th, 11th & 18th - until 7pm so if its an after-work trip you can still do your Christmas shopping and enjoy dinner or a drink after and make the most of the free parking.
May we take this opportunity to wish you all a peaceful, joyful Christmas and thank you for your support of our wonderful small business owners.
