Whitstable Leisure Centre

The leisure centre sits right in Whitstable town, a proper working sports facility rather than a tourist trap. Inside you'll find a swimming pool, gym, sports halls and a climbing wall - the kind of place locals actually use rather than somewhere you'd queue for hours. It's genuinely useful if you're staying at Central Beach Holiday Park over in Latimer and the weather turns nasty or the kids need burning off on a rainy afternoon.

The pool is the main draw for families. It's got a shallow end that toddlers can splash about in without drama, and older kids can actually swim proper lengths. The climbing wall gets busy with school groups during term time, so weekends outside school holidays are your best bet for getting on without waiting ages.

Don't expect fancy facilities or anything Instagram-worthy. It's a functional community hub - clean, well-run, but basic. You won't make an afternoon of it unless you're genuinely into the gym or doing a proper swimming session. Most people staying nearby pop in for an hour or so when they want a break from the seafront.

Entry isn't free, though exact prices shift around. Best to ring ahead or check their website to confirm opening times and what's on. If you're camped at Central Beach and fancy something indoors, it beats driving miles into Canterbury or sitting in the caravan on a wet day. Whitstable itself has plenty else going on though - the harbour, fish and chip shops, the beach - so you won't need the leisure centre unless conditions are properly grim.