Whitstable Bed and Breakfasts

Whitstable is a pretty harbour town perched on the north coast of Kent, just a few miles from Canterbury and Herne Bay. The mineral-rich seawater is ideal for the development of oyster beds, and the area is famed for its native oysters, which have been collected from as far back as Roman times. They're so important around these parts, they've been got an annual summer festival dedicated to the delicacy. Legions of locals shuck mountains of the shellfish, while flocks of visitors enjoy the live music and craft beer. Other than the festival, Whitstable can be appreciated for its long shingle beach, backed by multi-coloured wooden huts, its Victorian high street, packed with boutiques, and the fresh salty sea air – not to mention the long list of seafood eateries. Why not consider combining your seaside retreat with a few nights in London, which is easily reached by train?

Converted fishing sheds and luxury seaside-inspired B&Bs, Whitstable

The bed and breakfasts in Whitstable are a serious cut above the rest. Though you could opt for 1 of the hotels in town, nothing beats the intimate atmosphere and home-away-from-home feel of 1 of the B&Bs. In recent years, they've upped their game and there are now several luxury boutiques with understated seaside-inspired interiors that wouldn't look out of place in the pages of an interior decorating magazine. If you fancy a splurge, try to score 1 of the properties along the waterfront, whose guestrooms have views over the harbour and ocean beyond, or 1 of the converted fishing sheds, whose whitewashed wooden exteriors hold shiny modern glass balconies. There are, of course, plenty of traditional B&Bs that offer more than just a place to lay your head and more secluded seaside boltholes further along the coast. Whatever your taste or budget, you'll find what you're looking for on Expedia, which lists every bed and breakfast in Whitstable, along with detailed descriptions and photos.

The guestrooms differ greatly, depending on which bed and breakfast in Whitstable you've picked, though you can always expect a comfortable, stress-free stay. The more luxurious rooms have ensuites with roll-top baths, wooden flooring to match the antique furnishings and crisp white bed linen. A kettle for making your own hot drinks, flat screen TVs on the walls and free WiFi are common, but you'll also find personal little touches that you just wouldn't find in a hotel, like a mini-library of books and a bowl of fruit in the room when you arrive. If you pick right, you can wake up to the sounds of the waves gently lapping onto the beach each morning before heading downstairs for a home-cooked breakfast. You can get to know Whitstable like an insider if you chat with the owners, who can offer up advice on the best things to do and places to see.

Historic harbours, stately manor houses and long stretches of beach near your B&B, Whitstable

If you're a newbie to the seaside town, a good starting point is the historic harbour near your Whitstable bed and breakfast, where you can take some snaps of the colourful fishing boats that bob around their moorings, then dive into Whitstable Fish Market to see the morning's catch. The achingly beautiful Whitstable Castle, an 18th-century structure complete with battlements and turrets, is now used for private functions, but the grounds make for some idyllic walking. If you've got some time, you can duck and dive around the town's ancient alleyways and spend time rifling through the independent shops. Of course, if that all sounds like too much hard work, you could always find a secluded little spot on the beach and work on your tan.

• Stay in a luxury seaside retreat with the family, without breaking the bank
• Get to know the best seafood restaurants in town, using your host's tips
• Be within tiptoeing distance of Whitstable's beach
• Wake up to the sound of the ocean lapping onto the shores each morning