Tankerton Slopes

The shingle bank that rises from Whitstable's seafront is one of those uncommon coastal features that stops you in your tracks. Tankerton Slopes isn't just a gentle slope - it's a proper ridge of pebbles and flint that juts out into the sea, creating what locals call a tidal island at low water. You can walk right out along it, crunching underfoot on the shingle, until the water cuts you off as the tide turns.

It's free to access and there's no admission hassle. The walk takes about 20 minutes to reach the end if you're taking it leisurely, though that depends entirely on how the tide's running and whether you're stopping to hunt for sea glass. Families with younger children might find the shingle tiring after a bit - it's not the easiest surface for small legs - but teenagers and proper walkers will enjoy the adventure of it. The views back towards Whitstable are genuine, not overdone, and the whole spot has that working-coast feel rather than a polished tourist attraction vibe.

Time your visit for low tide if you want the full experience of walking out to the tip. High tide rather ruins the point of it. If you're staying at Seaview Holiday Park just 1.4 miles away, or any of the other parks dotted around Seasalter and beyond, this is absolutely worth a morning or afternoon outing. It's the kind of place that takes 90 minutes tops but leaves you with a real sense of having done something different on your holiday.