Whitstable

Whitstable
Whitstable Location within Kent
Population	32,100 (2011 Census)[1]
OS grid reference	TR107667
District	City of Canterbury
Shire county	Kent
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Whitstable
Postcode district	CT5
Dialling code	01227
Police	Kent
Fire	Kent
Ambulance	South East Coast
UK Parliament	Canterbury
List of places UK England Kent 51°21′40″N 1°01′34″E / 51.361°N 1.026°E / 51.361; 1.026

Whitstable (/ˈwɪtstəbəl/) is a town in the Canterbury district, on the north coast of Kent adjoining the convergence of the Swale Estuary and the Greater Thames Estuary in southeastern England,^[2] five miles (eight kilometres) north of Canterbury and two miles (three kilometres) west of Herne Bay. The 2011 Census reported a population of 32,100.

The town, formerly known as Whitstable-on-Sea,^[3] was famous for its 'Native Oysters' which were collected from beds beyond the low water mark from Roman times until the mid-20th century. The annual Whitstable Oyster Festival takes place during the summer.

In 1830, one of the earliest passenger railway services was opened^[4] by the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway Company. In 1832 the company built a harbour and extended the line to handle coal and other bulk cargos for the City of Canterbury. The railway has closed but the harbour still plays an important role in the town's economy. The railway route, known as The Crab and Winkle Line, is now a cycle path which leads to the neighbouring city of Canterbury.