geocalia
The Crab and Winkle Way greenway between Canterbury and WhitstableDavid Anstiss  · CC BY-SA 2.0

What to do · Whitstable

Crab and Winkle Way, from Canterbury to Whitstable by bike or on foot

Greenway · 12.2 km · 1 h by bike · 74% traffic-free · through Blean Woods

InformationFrom £0
From
£0
Duration
1 h
Distance
12.2 km
Season
All year; muddy sections in winter
Who it's for
Families with bikes; sections with gentle slopes
With a dog
On a lead on the shared sections

A 12.2 km greenway between Canterbury and Whitstable harbour that largely follows the old 1830 railway line, one of the first passenger lines in the world. Three quarters of it is traffic-free, through Blean Woods, one of the largest ancient woodlands in southern England, with a picnic area at Winding Pond. It is undulating: an hour by bike, about three on foot. Go from Canterbury to Whitstable, which ends downhill and with oysters.

As a familyWith teenagersWith a dog

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

Whitstable Castle behind the lawn and rose bushes of its gardens© Whitstable CastleTea in the castle gardens

Whitstable Castle tea room and bistro

Café · Whitstable · €€€€

What to order: a tea with a scone after playing in the playground, or breakfast before heading down to The Street.

Seafood dishes at the Wheelers bar© Wheelers Oyster BarOyster bar since 1856

Wheelers Oyster Bar

Restaurant · Whitstable · €€€€

What to order: half a dozen native oysters in season and whatever the boat brought in that day, from lobster to Rye scallops.

No alcohol licence: bring your own wine, with corkage per table. Bookings by phone only, with a £10 per person deposit

To stay nearby

The fishermen's huts on Whitstable beach© Hotel ContinentalApartment

Whitstable Fisherman's Huts

150-year-old fishermen's huts · On the beach · 50 m from the harbour

Why we like it: Former 150-year-old fishermen's huts converted into accommodation, on the beach itself and 50 metres from the harbour, with bed linen included.

The bar and bistro at the Hotel Continental© Hotel ContinentalHotel

Hotel Continental

Seafront · Rooms with sea views · Bar and bistro

Why we like it: A family-run hotel opposite Whitstable beach, with double, family and sea-view rooms, and a bar and bistro serving the house's own oysters.