Day Trip to Whitstable

I'd kind of given up hope that there was such a thing as a quaint seaside village in England other than the ones in Cornwall, till I went on a day trip to Whitstable. No sleazy arcades, stinky fish 'n chip chips and decrepit Victorian piers here. It's also very easy to get to from either London Victoria or London St Pancras as within an hour and a half you can dip your toes in the sea.

I overheard someone call it Angel (think trendy neighborhood in London) by the sea and walking around this quaint seaside town I can see why. The highstreet is lined with independent design shops, trendy boutiques and cool eateries.

There are more shops at the seaside in a collection of beach huts that have been turned into antiques and art shops and ethnic food stalls. There is even a Dutch merchant selling divine mini-pancakes and fried fish.

The beach consists of those uncomfy pebbles you find at oh so many English seaside resorts, but when we were there the weather was too cold anyways. We walked along the coast along the coastal path that leads all the way to Herne Bay, along colourful beach huts, till our stomachs told us it was time for food.

Luckily we were right by the Lobster Shack, which is a rustic looking seafood restaurant with great food and equally great sea views. The perfect way to end a day at the beach.