WHY? 

We love Whitstable for its coastal setting, foodie reputation and cool community spirit but have you heard of Tankerton, the town’s stunning seaside suburb? Move here and you’ll have all the benefits of this popular destination, but you can escape the crowds.

EAT

A regular smorgasbord of restaurants to enjoy – with different price points and appeal. Here is a snapshot to whet your appetite. We love restaurant Land + Sea from brunch to lunch and tapas-sharing dishes at night, you can try some of the freshest made food and deli delights as the menu is ever-changing and hugely creative – we have never had the same dish twice. A firm Muddy favourite. For a slice of Italy, head to family-run restaurant Basil & Co. Their menu’s focuses on a mix of local delicious seafood and the finest quality meats and ingredients imported from Italy.

Closeby in Whitstable find Muddy fave, Samphire an independent family-run bistro with a rustic, casual vibe and Art Deco Exterior. It’s gained a (rightly deserved) reputation for its’ outstanding seasonal menu comprising local fish, seafood and locally sourced ingredients.

There’s also Porto Wine Bar who’s best known for their impressive extensive wine list, delicious apertifis and cocktails, Portuguese draft beer and range of ‘petiscos’ aka Portuguese snacks. We also love family-friendly pub, East Kent Pub with its fab, outdoor dining area and much-loved, wood-fired pizzas. Perfectly situated near the buzzy seafront in Whitstable – a great spot for a relaxed bite to eat with friends or family.

Sitting pretty on Wraik Hill above Whitstable, at The Crescent Turner Hotel you can escape the crowds for one of the best sundowner spots in Kent and if the mood takes you, stay for dinner or stay the night in one of the 18 bedrooms – many with sea views. Hugely successful and highly acclaimed, The Sportsman in Seasalter but boasts incredibly laid-back, relaxed atmosphere. For the true Oyster experience, you can’t go wrong at the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company where fresh fish is (surprise, surprise) their specialty.

SHOP

There’s plenty to explore on Tankerton High St with delicious eateries and independent shops plus lots of free parking and a picturesque seafront with quirky beach huts and open green spaces. But a visit isn’t complete without a trip to ice cream parlour Scoops open Saturday and Sundays stocking plant-based, soya-free and gluten-free options too.

For shopping; we’d highly recommend popping into vibrant little plant shop by the sea, Thrive. This is a very cute family-run plant and gift shop. Dogs are welcome too! Next you’ll want to visit Micro Pub and Decorative Antique Shop, Ales & Antiques, it’s certainly unique! It’s the place their eclectic gems and ponder over a pint of glass of wine. For all your beauty treatments needs, you’ll want to head to Beauty Lounge in Tankerton, specialising in advanced skin treatments expect first-class treatments at affordable prices.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

With the sea just steps away, you can take advantage of the natural environment to stay active and unwind. The long, pebbled beach is perfect for seaside runs, brisk morning walks, or gentle swims in the warmer months.

Tankerton’s famous “street,” a natural walkway that appears at low tide, provides a unique way to explore the coastline and enjoy some fresh air.

If you prefer more structured fitness activities, Tankerton has you covered. The local leisure centers offer a range of exercise classes, from yoga and pilates to high-intensity interval training. There are also plenty of outdoor fitness groups that take full advantage of the coastal setting, offering beach boot camps and group runs along the shore.

COMMUNITY

The heart of Tankerton’s community spirit can be found at Tankerton Slopes, where locals gather for picnics, kite flying, and scenic walks along the grassy hills that overlook the sea.

Throughout the year, Tankerton hosts community events like seaside fairs, charity walks, and food festivals that bring people together. The residents take pride in maintaining their beautiful surroundings so you’ll often find community-led beach clean-ups and conservation efforts.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Well you can’t go wrong with the beach to while away many an hour or day, regardless of the weather. But it’s also a great place to explore the surrounding areas. The old railway line, nicknamed the Crab and Winkle Way, is now a public cycle route named and connects Whitstable to Canterbury for those wanting to take in the great Kent countryside. It’s a must-do for any cyclist fans out there or of course you can choose to walk it too! 

For culture there’s Whitstable Castle & Gardens, or Tankerton Towers as it was first known with a programme of events on throughout the year and a children’s play area. If you’re here for the camping, glamping and summer fun, you’ll want to check out Whitstable Dreams. Hire a gorgeous Beach Hut located on the much sought-after front row in Tankerton. Just a few minutes walk from Whitstable Harbour, the hut’s elevated position, with large decking area, makes it a perfect place to relax and watch the world go by. As well as beach hut hire, Whitstable Dreams also specialise in bell tent and campervan hire.

CULTURE

Tankerton’s close proximity to Whitstable you can enjoy Whitstable’s renowned cultural festivals, like the Whitstable Oyster Festival and WhitLit Literary Festival. These events bring music, food, and performances to the area and offer a chance to celebrate the rich maritime and literary traditions of the region.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES

The average sold price for a property in Tankerton in the last 12 months is £526,029.

HOT PROPERTY

NURSERIES

On Church Street in Whitstable you’ve got All Saints Nursery School, rated Ofsted Outstanding and overall there is a good amount of ‘Good’ schools within Whitstable for Nursery and Primary options. Garden Cottage Nursery, set in the idyllic surroundings of Kent College Junior School in Harbledown, just 5mins from the centre of Canterbury is an Outstanding provider. Or Woodland Nursery at St. Edmund’s in Canterbury has an excellent reputation, as does Junior King’s Canterbury Nursery – and all are pretty much less than five miles away.

SCHOOLS

Here, you are near all the Canterbury schools and if you are looking at the private route, you have established and respected schools such as Kent College, King’s School Canterbury and St Edmund’s within the city. If you going down the state and grammar route, Blean Primary School is rated Outstanding (and loved by many local parents) plus you have the likes of Simon Langton Grammar School with a separate school for girls and boys which have a very good reputation for academia alongside sport and music. 

BEST KEPT SECRET

We heard that Tankerton has been named one of the UK’s best beaches to find love – yup! Using geolocation data, dating app happn found beaches is one of the places where singles have the greatest change of meeting a potential partner and Tankerton made the cut.

COMMUTE

For all its glories, Tankerton does not score as highly as other towns in this department but you can still reach Victoria station from its station in one hour and 20 mins so by no means, in the middle of nowhere! 

View the full Top 300 Best Places to Live.