Today I want to bring you my guide to the Whitstable Oyster Festival. This celebration of all things shellfish on the coast in Kent, England is a great place to indulge your inner oyster lover.
Whitstable Oyster Festival
There’s nothing I love more than a sunny day on the seaside near London. If that sea happens to have an abundance of delicious food in it, all the better. That’s why I spent yesterday at the Whitstable Oyster Festival in Kent.
Festival Origins
The festival is an annual celebration of Whitstable’s famous oysters, and a modern revival of an ancient Norman religious festival.
Back then, the local fishermen would hold a yearly ceremony to give thanks for both the oyster harvest and their survival at sea.
Whitstable Oyster Festival Highlights
Today that tradition continues. For a few days each year, Whitstable comes alive with oyster eating contests, food markets, tug o’ war, live music, and entertainment. There’s even a Landing and Blessing of the Oysters ceremony.
At the end of the event, the Whitstable Oyster Festival concludes with a fireworks display on the beach.
Attending the Festival
Yesterday was the second day of the festival, and I took the train from London to Whitstable with friends to explore all things oyster. There are direct trains from the UK capital, so it’s easy to get to.
The Whitstable Oyster Festival centers around the beach and harbor, where stalls selling everything from seafood to souvenirs line the waterfront.
We picked up some oysters from a stand run by the Whitstable Oyster Company, a renowned seafood restaurant where I had a great lunch on my first trip to Kent.
Afterwards we wandered around the food market, tasting sparkling wine, cheese, and oyster-shaped ice cream cones.
Then we perused the wares at the craft and antiques stalls before heading to the (very crowded) beach to soak up the (intermittent) sun.
In the afternoon there was an oyster eating contest, and one of our group entered to win.
He lined up with his fellow contestants on a stage where a band had been playing throughout the morning and tried to consume six oysters and a half pint of beer faster than anyone else. He came in second, but it was still a valiant effort.
Whitstable
Later we walked through Whitstable itself, which had a pretty high street with lots of sweet little boutiques, restaurants, and ice cream shops.
Every window display begged us to come in for a range of garden supplies, home decorations, and pretty gifts. I wanted to take it all home with me.
Whitstable Oyster Festival Guide
Eventually the high street led back to the train station, and we finished our day at the Whitstable Oyster Festival exactly where we started it.
It was a great day out and an easy summer day trip from London. Given the festival doesn’t end until Friday, I’m temped to go back for more.
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6 Comments on Lady’s Whitstable Oyster Festival Guide
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I’d love to see the oyster-shaped ice cream cones. How does it even hold the ice cream?
It’s a biscuit on either side with ice cream in the middle. It’s a bit like an ice cream sandwich.
That’s a brilliant idea that they have the festival when the actual fisherman can participate. I would enjoy talking to them. And a dog show too boot? Definitely count me in! Lady in London, I was so hoping for a picture of Oysters Rockefeller! 🙂 Great post! 🙂
Thanks Mike! I didn’t see any Oysters Rockefeller, but if I had, I would send you a picture. I think Phoenix would have won the dog show!
very nice!
Thanks!