Whitstable, Kent (officially England’s least-cloned town!)
Whitstable is a small seaside town on the Kent coast, which was the location of one of England’s first passenger railways. Today it’s more known for its historic harbour and artistic community.
If visiting the beach, read our post on keeping dogs safe by the seaside.
Unlike Cambridge and Exeter (the most cloned cities in England packed with chain stores), Whitstable proudly tops the board for the most independent shops in England. This pretty town with weathered boats and cheery beach huts, give it a character all its own.
Boats bob on the waves, while local artists sell painting and pottery, and greengrocers still exist, selling locally grown fruit and veg. This does have a fishing history, but times are changing. The local Oyster Bed pub sells vegan burgers and homemade apple and cherry crumble. Yum!
Independent shops also thrive in nearby Canterbury’s medieval streets. One well-known store is the Crooked House Bookshop, a wonky building known for its leaning walls (it’s like England’s version of the Tower of Pisa!) It dates from the 1600s, and somehow is still standing up, despite gravity pulling it sideways.
