It’s famed for being the oyster capital of England, but one Kent seaside town captured Sandi Toksvig for a multitude of other reasons too. ‘I was taken by a friend to lunch in Whitstable and I completely fell in love with it,’ she’s said. ‘I thought it was the most wonderful place.’
She’s not the only one. Broadcaster Janet Street-Porter, 79, comedian Harry Hill, 61, and celebrity ceramicist Keith Brymer Jones, 61, have all made a home here. So, what’s drawing the over-60s in their droves?
Community
‘Those of us who really love the Kent coast don’t just come in the summer,’ Sandi said. ‘We’re here all year round because it’s fantastic.’ It’s true that Whitstable has a particularly strong community spirit. The Horsebridge arts centre offers regular yoga classes, films and exhibitions. The volunteer-led Whitstable Carnival has been going for over 125 years and last year the annual non-profit Whitstable Harbour Day was resurrected after a Covid-induced-lull, the community gathering together for boat-building demonstrations, yacht regattas and historic vessel displays, including the iconic 1906 Oyster Yawl.
Navigability
There’s a lot going on in Whitstable, but it’s all pretty easy to access. The beautiful seafront promenade stretches for miles and is completely level. The high street runs parallel to the beach. Grocery shops, independent boutiques, cafes and healthcare pharmacies are tightly clustered together, so no long treks to get daily errands done.
Fitness
From the promenade, it’s easy to step on to the beach and from there, right into the sea. ‘I love swimming in the sea and eight months of the year I go in about once a week. I just think it makes you feel good. I’m not one to take my time – I plunge in, whereas my partner inches into the water. I’ve taken up sea kayaking, which I really enjoy as well,’ Sandi has said.
Whitstable Canoe Club, a small, friendly and family-friendly club, is based at the Whitstable Harbour and gathers on Sunday mornings, while Whitstable Yacht Club organises social paddles, too.
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Food
‘You can now get some of the finest seafood in the world here,’ Sandi has said. And she’s right. Wheelers Oyster Bar (you can’t miss it – look for the bright pink shopfront) has achieved legendary status for its seafood. The annual oyster festival takes place every September and people make pilgrimages from far afield to The Sportsman, a Michelin-starred gastropub.
Connections
Direct, high-speed trains get you into central London St Pancras in 1 hour and 16 minutes and run frequently. Driving? You’re 10 minutes from the M2, and Canterbury’s theatres, shops and more are only about 8 miles away.
But…
Whitstable’s beach itself is mostly shingle, not sandy. A little heavy-going on the ankles…
