Mums do travel

Travel with and without teens

  • Home
  • Destination
    • UK
      • London
      • Kent
      • Northern Ireland
      • Wales
      • Elsewhere
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Croatia
      • France
      • Gibraltar
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • USA
      • Canada
      • Carribean
      • Costa Rica
    • Africa
      • South Africa
      • Tunisia
    • Asia
      • Thailand
      • Bali
      • Singapore
    • Australia
  • Inspiration
    • Things to do in…
    • Things to do in London…
    • Where to stay
    • Language learning
    • Family travel interviews
    • The journey
    • Recipes
  • Published in
  • About
  • Contact
  • Travel shop
Home / Destination / Europe / UK / Kent / Kent cycling holiday: staying in a Fisherman’s Hut in Whitstable

Kent cycling holiday: staying in a Fisherman’s Hut in Whitstable

May 16, 2016 by Gretta Schifano 16 Comments

picmonkey Kent cycling holiday

In April I went on a brilliant cycling trip with three friends.

It was a birthday trip for my illustrator friend – she loves cycling, as long as there are no hills. When I came across a tour called Kent For Art Lovers on the Carter Company website, I thought that it would be ideal.

Kent for Art Lovers

The tour includes two nights in a Fisherman’s Hut in fashionable Whitstable, Kent, breakfast at Hotel Continental (about five minutes’ walk from the hut), cycle hire and detailed maps and directions.

Fisherman's Huts, Whitstable. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Fisherman’s Huts, Whitstable. Copyright Gretta Schifano

We arrived at Hotel Continental to check in at 10.30 am, as we’d been asked to collect our bikes at 11am. We couldn’t actually access the Fisherman’s Hut until that afternoon, so we left our stuff in our cars in the hotel car park and strolled up to the bike hire shop, a few minutes’ walk away.

Whitstable

Whitstable is a vibrant, bohemian seaside town on the coast of Kent, in the south of England. Whitstable is famous for its oysters, and is full of quirky, independent shops and eateries. An hour and 45 minutes from London by train (and around the same time by car), it’s a popular weekend destination for visitors from the capital.

Kent Cycle Hire

We were met at Kent Cycle Hire by the owner, Bernard, who was extremely helpful. Bernard sorted us out with bikes, helmets, panniers, lights, locks, maps and directions, as well as recommending a place for lunch (Elliotts café on Harbour Street – thank you Bernard). He also kindly lent us a key so that we could store the bikes at the hire shop.

Shell Grotto

After lunch we drove to Margate, 18 miles away, to visit the mysterious Shell Grotto. Discovered in 1835, nobody knows for sure why the grotto is there, or who created it, or when. It’s an astonishing sight – 4.6 million shells laid out in intricate designs through 21 metres of underground passages.

Fisherman’s Hut

Back in Whitstable, we moved in to our two-storey Fisherman’s Hut (number 4) on the beach. The hut was cosy, modern, welcoming, spotlessly clean and had marvellous views of the sea. Downstairs was a double bedroom, kitchen and bathroom and upstairs an open-plan double bedroom and living area. The hut was well-equipped with wifi, heating, fridge, dishwasher, microwave, kettle, toaster and TV.

Upstairs bedroom, Fisherman's Hut, Whitstable. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Upstairs bedroom, Fisherman’s Hut, Whitstable. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Bathroom, Fisherman's Hut, Whitstable. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Bathroom, Fisherman’s Hut, Whitstable. Copyright Gretta Schifano

View from the window, Fisherman's Hut, Whitstable. Copyright Gretta Schifano

View from the window, Fisherman’s Hut, Whitstable. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Cycling – Day One

The next day we cycled along the coast and cross-country to the historic town of Faversham and back. We cycled for 17 miles in total, but it felt further because it was a cold, sunny day. We used the Ordnance Survey map and detailed directions provided by The Carter Company. We were a bit lost a couple of times, but we ended up in the right place.

Cycling from Whitstable to Faversham, Copyright Gretta Schifano

Cycling from Whitstable to Faversham, Copyright Gretta Schifano

Faversham

In Faversham, the plan was to do some cultural stuff (the tour was Kent For Art Lovers, after all). However, the information about where to go and what to do in Faversham wasn’t in our Route Directions – it was on a separate document. Which we’d left behind at the hut. We were pretty cold, so we decided to have lunch and warm up at a café instead of going to any galleries. Havishams Coffee Shop did the job, and then we explored the pretty town centre on foot before setting off back to Whitstable.

Cycling through Faversham. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Cycling through Faversham. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Cycling – Day Two

Our second day of cycling was much harder than the previous day had been. Maybe because we were tired from cycling to Faversham, maybe because one of my friends had persuaded us to try her favourite whisky the night before, maybe because the sun had disappeared and we were cycling into the wind, we just didn’t make much progress. According to our itinerary, we were meant to cycle to Margate and back – a round trip of 34 miles. We cycled along the coast to Herne Bay, five miles away, and stopped there for a hot drink at Makcari’s café in the central bandstand on the seafront. Makcari’s is a cheerful, welcoming place – the friendly owner brought some tiny scoops of his homemade ice-cream to our table for us to taste. We cycled on a little further after that, before deciding to turn back and find somewhere for lunch in Whitstable instead. This was an excellent decision – we ended up having a superb late lunch at the delightful Whitstable Oyster Fishery Co Restaurant, before checking out and setting off home.

Lunch, Whitstable Oyster Fishery Co Restaurant. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Lunch, Whitstable Oyster Fishery Co Restaurant. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Where to eat in Whitstable

Whitstable offers a great choice of high quality places to eat. We had a good breakfast at Hotel Continental on both mornings of our trip, lunch at Elliotts café, and dinners at Samphire Bistro and Birdies Restaurant. I’d recommend all of those, but my favourite meal was lunch at Whitstable Oyster Fishery Co Restaurant just before we left. The others had oysters (I’m allergic to shellfish) and said that they were delicious – apparently oysters have been farmed in Whitstable since Roman times.

Breakfast, Hotel Continental, Whitstable. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Breakfast, Hotel Continental, Whitstable. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Verdict

I really enjoyed this trip and would definitely recommend it. The accommodation was great, cycling was fun (despite the cold weather) and everywhere that we ate was very good. Whitstable is a vibrant place to visit and it’s in a beautiful area of Kent. The accommodation would also work for families with children, with or without the cycling element.

Beach, Whitstable. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Beach, Whitstable. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Find out more

For more about Whitstable Fishermans Huts click here.

For more about Kent Cycle Hire click here.

Over to you

Does this kind of trip appeal to you, with or without kids? Is there anything else about the trip which you’d like to know?

All words, images, opinions and lack of endurance cycling are my own. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you clicked through and booked I may receive a small commission. All opinions, images and words are my own, as ever.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related

Categories: Active, Kent, Trips without kids
Tags: cycling, Fisherman's Huts, Whitstable

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

Facebook - Twitter - Google+

Subscribe to posts by email?

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Comments

  1. the Pigeon Pair and Me says

    May 27, 2016 at 10:18 am

    This sounds like the sort of trip our family would love. We’re huge fans of Whitstable, and I’m yet to visit Margate. I don’t think our kids’ little legs could cope with all that cycling yet, but they’d be excited about staying in beach huts. Who wouldn’t?
    the Pigeon Pair and Me recently posted…48 Ideas for unmissable summertime family fun in LondonMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 28, 2016 at 10:05 am

      They’re great places to stay, and Whitstable is a lovely place to visit. Maybe the bikes can wait until your kids are bigger!

      Reply
  2. kirstie says

    May 25, 2016 at 2:49 pm

    I’ve heard about the shell grotto and would really like to see it. Also- art and bicycles, what a great combination??? Hut looks a good base too.

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 25, 2016 at 4:08 pm

      We didn’t seem to get to much art though – we were too busy eating and drinking whisky!

      Reply
  3. Nichola - Globalmouse says

    May 19, 2016 at 9:54 am

    Your photos are beautiful Gretta, it’s like a breath of fresh air just looking at them. Love the idea of taking a trip like this with friends, very inspiring!
    Nichola – Globalmouse recently posted…Exploring Cannaregio and the back streets of Venice, Italy with childrenMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 23, 2016 at 7:37 am

      Thanks Nichola! It was a great trip, definitely recommended.

      Reply
  4. Sarah Ebner says

    May 17, 2016 at 5:03 pm

    This trip sounds gorgeous – how lovely to go and do something like this with your friends.
    Sarah Ebner recently posted…The Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky (By Brian)My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 23, 2016 at 7:40 am

      We did have a lovely time – as our kids get older it’s easier to go on trips like this.

      Reply
  5. Cathy (MummyTravels) says

    May 17, 2016 at 4:03 pm

    This sounds lovely – Whitstable is gorgeous, and I do love that stretch of the Kent coast, although I’ve done more day trips than longer breaks. The fisherman’s huts are straight onto my bucket list though, how much fun does that look…
    Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…City Tripping #27My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 17, 2016 at 4:11 pm

      They are great, I think you’d all love them.

      Reply
  6. Ting at My Travel Monkey says

    May 17, 2016 at 3:46 pm

    This would be my type of trip, exploring the coast on bicycles. My friend lives in Herne Bay and is always telling us to come and visit. Think I may have to now! And I’ve also wanted to go to The Sportsman in Whitstable. I love the idea of the Fisherman’s Hut what a great find. Did you celebrate the end with more whisky? 🙂
    Ting at My Travel Monkey recently posted…Planning Our Family Road Trip to Burgundy, FranceMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 17, 2016 at 4:12 pm

      The Sportsman was closed when we cycled past it, unfortunately. Yes, definitely take up your friend’s offer, it’s a beautiful part of the world.
      No more whisky, sadly, as I was driving home!

      Reply
  7. Christine @afamilyday says

    May 16, 2016 at 8:43 pm

    We stayed on a farm near Faversham last year and visited similar places to you. I remember walking past the Fisherman’s Huts in Whitstable and remarking how they looked a great place to stay!

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 17, 2016 at 4:13 pm

      They are – the whole area is great!

      Reply
  8. FrogMom says

    May 16, 2016 at 7:10 am

    Thanks for this trip report, Gretta! Sounds fun and relatively easy to navigate with the maps & logistics taken care of. Great pics and inspiring story.

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 16, 2016 at 1:52 pm

      You’re welcome – thanks for commenting 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Search site

Follow me!

Email: gretta at mumsdotravel dot com
Follow me on FacebookFollow me on Google+Follow me on TwitterFollow me on InstagramFollow me on YouTubeFollow me on PinterestFollow me on Bloglovin

You'd like posts by email?

Booking.com

Most popular posts:

  • Where to find Mary Poppins film locations in London
    Where to find Mary Poppins film locations in London
  • How to pack for an 8 kg luggage allowance
    How to pack for an 8 kg luggage allowance
  • Thailand with teenagers: a two-week summer itinerary
    Thailand with teenagers: a two-week summer itinerary
  • What to do when your teenager doesn't want to go on your family holiday
    What to do when your teenager doesn't want to go on your family holiday
  • Itinerary for a three-night Berlin sightseeing trip with a teenager
    Itinerary for a three-night Berlin sightseeing trip with a teenager
  • 5-night itinerary for Northern Tunisia
    5-night itinerary for Northern Tunisia
  • 8 great family holidays for football fans
    8 great family holidays for football fans
  • Hotel review: Amari Watergate, Bangkok, Thailand
    Hotel review: Amari Watergate, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Jane Austen tour: the places where she lived and wrote
    Jane Austen tour: the places where she lived and wrote
  • Hotel review: The Tongsai Bay, Koh Samui, Thailand
    Hotel review: The Tongsai Bay, Koh Samui, Thailand

Recent Posts

  • How to apply for Italian citizenship: everything we’ve done so far
  • How to explore London’s top attractions from home
  • Amsterdam virtual museum & gallery tours
  • Introducing Armchair Travels
  • How to explore Florence, Italy, from home

About

  • About
  • Published in
  • Contact

Disclosure

This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

Copyright © Mums do travel 2019
Header by Suzanne Barton
Website by
Callia Web

Sign up for my free newsletter:
Subscribe to the Mums do travel mailing list... it's FREE!
You'll receive family travel news, offers and competitions. Once you sign up you can download my tips for saving money on family travel.
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
Sign up for my free newsletter: