Whitstable – a coastal haven, a foodie’s paradise, a creative hub, and the ultimate inspiration behind nearby Shepherd Neame’s award-winning Whitstable Bay beer range. Crafted by creativity, this locally brewed tipple is delicious sipped anywhere, but trust us when we say it’s sensational when paired with the sound of the waves, the smell of sea air, and a freshly shucked Whitstable oyster. So, allow us to share some of our favourite spots and top tips to enjoy that taste of coastal creativity for yourself.
We told you our iconic coastal town was artistic, right? Anonymous local artist Catman has been using Whitstable as his canvas for years, creating overnight street art sensations throughout the town. From The Queen on a Hoverboard, to The Mona Lisa, Catman’s graffiti art already makes for a pretty Insta-worthy art trail, but now Shepherd Neame is taking it to a whole new level.
Visit some of their top coastal pubs and you’ll be in for an arty discovery, with five exclusive Catman artworks inspired by Whitstable Bay taking centre stage. Each piece shows a different character designed to depict different aspects of the popular town, and we think this is the perfect excuse to track all five down, sip on a pint of thirst-quenching Whitstable Bay and ponder the beauty of the Kent coast (or maybe Catman’s true identity…)
But enough chat, we know you want those locations and, while we could give a selection of elaborate clues and tease their reveal, we’ll let you in on the info now so you can get snapping and sipping.
First up is The Marine Hotel, Tankerton. Any casual follower of our social channels will know Tankerton, with its brightly coloured beach huts making it Insta-famous. Just along the coast from Whitstable, The Marine’s seaside setting is spot-on for sampling a taste of the Kent coast, with only the freshest seasonal and local ingredients making it to the table. So go on, grab a menu, order your glass of Whitstable Bay Pale Ale, and track down that Catman original! Oh, and for those tempted by a coastal escape, did we mention those sea view rooms – absolutely jaw-dropping.
Psst…for the sweet-toothed among you, we whole-heartedly recommend staying awhile for the Whitstable Bay High Tide Afternoon Tea, with a selection of tempting treats served in a special wooden boat and paired with a flight of Whitstable Bay beer or a beertail – seriously, your Insta grid can thank us later.
The Minnis Bay Bar & Brasserie is next on your snap and sip list. Honestly, those views just keep on coming and if you and your group happen to be here at sunset, it’s well worth it. Overlooking the Blue Flag Awarded Minnis Bay, this is THE place to take your drinks outside and appreciate Kent’s splendour, and with the High Tide Afternoon Tea on the menu here too, it just gets better and better.
Now we come to our third location, The Botany Bay Hotel, and we’re going to let you in on a secret. When visiting the pubs on the trail, you’ll hopefully have spotted the QR codes next to the unique Catman artwork. Not only will scanning these give you more information about each piece, but it will also give you a unique code. Once you’ve scanned three different plaques you’ll unlock a free beer AND a limited-edition Whitstable Bay x Catman glass.
But before you go racing off to scan the codes, we’ll tell you about The Botany Bay Hotel, resting at the very tip of the Kent coast in Broadstairs. This clifftop beauty’s location should shine some light on why our beaches and bays have been inspiring creatives for centuries, so DO NOT FORGET your camera. Light and refreshing, Whitstable Bay Pale Ale is the perfect pairing for locally caught seafood and those sea views before strolling down to the beach or, if you missed it at The Minnis Bay, settling in for a limited edition Whitstable Bay High Tide Afternoon Tea.
Resting in the heart of the fourth best region in the world, Kent’s Heritage Coast (Lonely Planet’s words, not ours), Deal is another creative gem around here, with independent shops and winding streets making it an absolute paradise for those visiting from London. You guessed it, our next spot is right on the seafront (would you expect any less?), regally positioned and aptly named The Royal Hotel. If like us, you love a street shot featuring some Georgian architecture, get a snap of this historic beauty, before heading in to stay the night, seek out that artwork and soak up the views of those surrounding shores.
Don’t worry, we’re still keeping things rather regal with our next location, The Royal Albion Hotel in Broadstairs. We can’t tell you which Catman original character features here, you’ll have to discover that for yourself, but we can tell you Charles Dickens was once a regular guest(!) and its sea-view restaurant overlooks the beautiful, picture-perfect Viking Bay. As the sun sets, we recommend complementing that warm glow with a glass of golden-hued Whitstable Bay Blonde Lager – absolute perfection.
There you have it, a selection of our best spots to sip, sample and be inspired. So go on and join us in raising a glass of Whitstable Bay to Kent’s sensational coast!
If you want to find out more, follow Whitstable Bay @whitstablebay on social media, or visit www.whitstable-bay.co.uk.
