Shopping is terrific in the little town, and an afternoon spent looking about is an afternoon well spent. Harbour Street has fashionable boutiques – designer clothes for men and women, delicatessens and florists, craft shops… Carole Ridley sells Sarah Pacini, Oska and others and don’t miss the great knitwear shop, several casual but stylish shops, Mosaic crafts and presents, Woolley’s shoes (an old family business), the Clothes Horse selling end of line and much reduced Noa Noa garments in beautiful colours and fabrics.

Next door Tankerton’s annual regatta has taken place since the end of the 18th century, and people enjoy it today as much as they ever did. There is a seamless border between Tankerton and Whitstable, but each place has its own character. The colourful beach huts are each are enormously popular. For watersports fans, there is the sailing club on the beach from which the boats put out to sea for pleasure or competition.