This morning we went adventuring to Whitstable and took a walk along West beach, we had so much fun!!

"The beach itself has no restrictions, meaning it’s perfect year round for visits with your dog. The beach is very popular amongst the locals and even today was busy with people walking their dogs! But it wasn’t too crowded and we could be in our own little world walking Lady. This would be a hot spot in the summer! There are lots of amazing shops, pubs and cafes that are dog friendly, we were spoilt for choice! But we made a pit stop to “the smack inn” which is almost on the beach! They even have a doggy menu! Whitstable itself is extremely dog friendly and we had an amazing time. The car park is right on the beach and fairly priced, the pub is a 2 minute walk away from the car park. The car park itself is just off the main town centre so you really are spoilt for choice there, it was our first time going and we are blown away, we will definitely be back!"

You can follow Our Little Lady on Instagram at @our.littlelady - Ed

Boring admin but if you're going to drive somewhere with the dog(s) you need to park! We parked at Gorrell Tank opposite Whitstable Harbour which is very convenient but not cheap, £3.70 an hour information correct as at April 2024! Keam's Yard is another option which is where Lady and her pawrents parked and this is very handy for beach and town win win!

Another option would be to park on Marine Parade Tankerton which I believe to be free and walk to the harbour which is around 20 minutes. This would involve pavement walking as the harbour and East Quay cut off the direct access from Tankerton to Whitstable along the water's edge.

From Gorrell Tank car park we crossed the road and walked through the gap to the harbour.

Lots of permanent shops in the Whitstable Harbour Market huts but House of Dawg may be of paw-ticular interest!

Follow the water round past the boats ...

Take time out for a dunk, we were still on lead at this point as quite busy near town, people and dogs ...

Continued past Old Neptune pub which allows dogs on lead inside and has some outside tables sea-side.

We went off lead once we got to the grassy bits as it was quieter once you'd gone past Old Neptune.

We chose a section between the high groynes from some ball play and a proper swim. Love playing fetch in the sea, well the dog playing fetch! The slopey plank (technical term) supporting the groyne made for a great seat!

Made a big fluffy friend Paddington!

Carry on as far as you want to along the coast then if you want to do what we did which was have a mooch along the cafes and shops in the High Street then about turn. When you get to Neptune Gap just by the Old Neptune pub follow the Saxon Shore Way sign.

Turn left onto Island Wall then right onto Waterloo Road

Then through Evelings Ally onto the High Street where you'll find lots of dog-friendly shops and cafes and drinking bowls so your dog can wash away the taste of the sea! Apologies for the blurry ally pic!

We loved the Millie and Tiger pet shop a lovely drinking bowl outside and some great value doggy pick n mix inside and a warm welcome.

White Stuff got a big Dog Advisor thumbs up for human shopping with a dog, there was even a seat so we could have some doggy quiet time while our other human chose jeans! White Stuff is on the right fork in the road facing the Harbour.

Back at the car park there was a sign to Whitstable Castle and Gardens. According to the internet it is dog-friendly in the grounds so head up towards Tankerton if you fancy a mooch around the castle, you'll find it on the bend.

All in all we enjoyed Waggy Whitstable with the dog and would definitely go again! Next time we might park on Marine Parade Tankerton, have a play on dog-friendly Tankerton beach (Tankerton unrestricted until 30th April, note Whitstable unrestricted all year round), go and explore Whitstable Castle Gardens and perhaps pop into Hotel Continental which allows dogs I believe. Would love to try and walk on The Street with the dog, this is the bank of sand that stretches out to sea with water either side - just need to catch the tide at exactly the right time!

Thank you so much to 5* licensed home dog boarder The Pawfect Pad West Malling for test running our Waggy Whitstable walkabout with some cute additions, Whitstable Castle and Tankerton - we really appreciate it and we think the boarding doggies did too!

The Pawfect Pad walked from the harbour towards Tankerton along the main road and came across the Beach Cafe on Beach Walk which is dog-friendly and according to the internet has some terraced seating if your dog is more comfortable outside.

The doggies had a lovely time in the Whitstable Castle Gardens and so did their humans.

Parts of Tankerton beach are restricted to dogs between 1st May and 30th September but it is well signposted and there are areas you can go on. According to the internet there are restrictions from the first beach hut :-(

Sapphire Construction and Renovation Ltd, the most dog-friendly builder in town, inspired by Waggy Whitstable treated doggies George and Teddy to a lovely day at the harbour and the beach.

Thank you so much to Tim Levey who took the time to email us following Waggy Whitstable's publication to tell us about the Picnicbox Sandwich Shop in the quay at Whitstable Harbour. If a dog and owner pop in for a sandwich, the dog gets a separate little bag of ham and cheese how pawsome is that! We'll definitely be popping into the Picnic Box for a sandwich the next time we go to Whitstable thank you Tim!