If you're looking for a truly independent shopping experience in a beautiful location, head straight to Whitstable & Tankerton.
With over 400 independent businesses and only a handful of chains, you can shop till you drop, discover unique items and meet wonderful proud business owners. On top of this the town is full of incredibly skilled artists and craftsmen so you can also take a little bit of Whitstable home with you.
Here are some top picks....
Starting in Whitstable High Street, visit Samson and Coles at 13 Oxford Street.
For 21 years Teresa Samson & Madeline Coles have been making jewellery on their premises and with a glass fronted workshop you can see the designs being created. Their work has an excellent reputation for quality and the personal service when you step into the shop is always warm and welcome. If you are coming to Whitstable for a celebration, get a unique gift when you arrive.
For unique Whitstable products, head to Lola Darcy at LRM Studios 29 Oxford Street.
Lauren Rogers Martin is the creator behind the incredible Whitstable Love candle & room sprays available from her shop, which also houses her art for sale. The candle combines notes of bergamot, bright orange, fresh coconut, hints of green jasmine, warming amber & buttery vanilla and is a star of the shop. A few people I love have received these as presents and I know you won’t be disappointed, there are many more to choose from but what better way to recall your stay!
Bounty Whitstable 48 Oxford Street recently relocated from Margate, and the owner Lydia Wood-Power is another jeweller working out of her studio shop. The shop also sells homewares and gifts so plenty to look at whilst you are there.
If you need a pitstop along the High Street, head to Whitstable Produce Store at 33 Harbour Street. The store is both a deli and cafe selling an incredible range of local produce both great for a stop for coffee, lunch or cake or picnic buying but also to get delights to take home too.
Stock up on local wines, gins, juices, jams, coffee, cheeses and so much more.
It's time time to take a stroll down to the harbour and discover the bounty of products and sights at the South Quay Shed.
This area is perfect for exploring as it is packed with great local producers. Make a beeling for Whitstable Harbour Gin, available in many of the local bars and restaurants but also to buy in Whitstable Harbour.
There are two varieties the London dry with seashore botanicals of sea buckthorn and samphire and the Pink gin flavoured with Kentish cherry juice & hibiscus, both very delicious and a great way to remember your holiday once home.
Whilst in the South Quay Shed visit Donna, Donna or Jo at Wit of Whitstable and you will soon see why their ‘Whitstable Way collection’ and their Octopus ranges are so popular from lampshades, cushions, jewellery, candles & more.
They say it best for themselves ‘Gifts and wares for a Happy home and a Happy planet’ there is an element of fun behind their designs and just being in their little shop (open 7 days a week) creates a smile.
Next door to Wit is the Art Shed featuring stunning work by local photographer Sue Carfrae from the iconic Forts and the Old Neptune to the working harbour and seascapes, there is a range of formats to take home with you or order for delivery.
Venturing back out in the Harbour and turning right will bring you to the Harbour Market Whitstable make sure you stop Hut no 22. Sarah Louise Dunn is a local artist who as well as some incredible portraits creates painting that will instantly transport you back to your stay here.
Along with Sarah there is a huge open air showcase of locally created goods and art, from ceramics, wrought iron work, textiles, furniture, pet goodies and the amazing glass works of Harbour Fused Glass & Stephen Harries Glass and also plenty of very delicious food stalls.
Travelling along to Tankerton and make sure your final stop is at Polka Dot at 93 Tankerton Road, and pick up some beautiful home-made Café 89 fudge including Lotus Biscoff, Salted Caramel & Mocha and sweets as well as some great little presents from their bespoke Whitstable range, water bottles, pen cases, mugs and more.
This is only a small selection of products made in & available to buy in Whitstable so plan your next trip and happy independent shopping.
