Formerly White Staple (white post). Of course, those of you who have bewen watching the TV detective series 'Whitstable Pearl' will already know this. If you haven't, I can heartily recommend it!
This was the meeting place of the Whitstable Hundred, the white post probably acting as a landmark
On the North Kent coast, lies the small town of Whitstable, known throughout the world as the home of the Whitstable Oyster, which have been 'grown' there since Roman times. The small tidal harbour has an equally small fishing fleet these days, and Canterbury Council have been developing the disused harbour buildings as a destination full of interesting eateries - not just seafood. Sadly, shortly after it opened, half of the building burnt to the ground, putting some of the places out of business.
In 1830, one of the earliest passenger railway services was opened by the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway Company. In 1832 the company built a harbour and extended the line to handle coal and other bulk cargos for the City of Canterbury. The railway has closed and the railway route, known as The Crab and Winkle Line, is now a cycle path which leads to the neighbouring city of Canterbury.
The town itself is cute and full of old buildings and unique shops.
(Bit of a *** to drive down the congested High Street though!)
Back to the harbour though, there is a small performance stage in the area where all the restaurants are, and this currently has a display in support of the people of Ukraine.
Pretty sculpture on the beach, celebrating Whitstable's maritime history, and the nearby yacht club.
This is an old Whitstable Oyster yawl, undergoing restoration. Oysters are what Whitstable is most famous for
This retired RNLI lifeboat, 'The Chieftain', can be hired for trips out to sea
The memorial below, celebrates Brett's long association with Whitstable harbour, and stands next to their aggregate plant on the harbour side. In 1884, Robert Brett worked for 3d an hour (1.25p in current currency), near Canterbury for a steam engine traction company. In time he was promoted to engine driver, and then moved on to set up his own sand and gravel quarry.
Robert Brett & Sons was incorporated in 1909 and went on to supplying flints and clinker to road construction firms.
Today, the Bretts are said to be worth over £72 million!
The unusual Harbour Buildings.
The oyster beds are only visible at low tide
On a clear day, you can see a couple of the Maunsell Forts out in the Thames Estuary, and the Vattenfalls Offshore Wind Farm, more commonly called the Kentish Flats Wind Array
The Maunsell Forts were built in the Thames Estuary in 1942. Four were operated by the Royal Navy, and three by the Army. They were built to report German air raids coming in, and to prevent attempts to lay mines in the important shipping channel.
Originally they were connected by walkways but were made redundant in the late 1950s. The one called Red Sands Fort can sometimes be safely visited. Shivering Sands Fort is only 9 miles off Herne Bay.
In 1964 Screaming Lord Sutch started a pirate radio station on one of what was then, one off the surviving five forts still connected. This was taken over by Reginald Calvert who renamed it Radio City.
After Calvert was shot and killed by a rival pirate radio owner, his wife ran it until new legislation forced its closure, and the forts were finally abandoned.
Above is the Old Neptune pub, standing almost on the beach. Theree is more to be learned on the Dover Kent Archive site here:
Below is shewn the Guinea Inn, built in 1860. The "Guinea Inn" was part of Dollar Row, built by a native of Whitstable, who became a deep-sea diver and discovered gold in the wreck of a Spanish Armada ship off the coast of Scotland. The inn was so called because its construction was paid for with spade guineas, which presumably had been received as payment for the Spanish gold.
Guess the name of this VERY narrow alley............................
Yep - you are right!
There must be a story behind the name of this building, but I've not come across it yet.
St. Alphage parish church
Seasalter Parish Hall (which is actually in Whitstable High Street)
Even Her Majesty likes Whitstable! One of the 'Catman' murals to be found locally
Probably the best known of the oyster houses. Note the prices in the window!
Below, the Duke of Cumberland Family & Commercial Hotel, formerly known as the Noah's Ark, and later, the Duke William.
This mosaic was created in August 2002 by Oliver Budd, and celebrates the starting point of the old Crab & Winkle railway line, which ran from here to Canterbury. Part of it is now a cycle route, the rest is long gone. A replica of 'Invicta'. the original steam locomotive for the line, used to stand alongside the ring road in Canterbury. It has now been restored and is housed in the Whitstable museum in the High Street
Please do - there's plenty of pubs in the town that would welcome your company! Another 'Catman' picture
A peaceful place. This little garden and seating area stands opposite Harbour Buildings, and is a memorial to all the Whitstable Merchant seamen who have given their lives in service at sea.
And a final picture of the pretty little harbour
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