Press release
For immediate release

July 13, 2025

Holiday been credit-crunched? Try Whitstable for free family fun!

Fantastic food and drink, salsa dancing, samba music and a chance to try new things. Sound like an exotic holiday abroad? In fact, it’s just a taste of what’s on offer at this year’s Whitstable Oyster Festival, which starts on
Saturday, July 18.

As more and more people decide to forego trips abroad to save money, the Kent town is hoping to cash in on the rebirth of the Great British Holiday with its annual celebration of summer.

Last year’s event attracted an estimated 75,000 visitors and organisers are hoping to top that in 2009 with a programme mixing traditional ceremonies like the Landing of the Catch and Blessing of the Waters with new events including an intimate closing spectacle where the wishes of hundreds are floated out to sea.

An appearance on BBC 2’s Coast programme this week should swell visitor numbers further as fans flock to follow in presenter Neil Oliver’s footsteps by building a ‘grotter’ - a hollow structure made from oyster shells traditionally made by children to celebrate St James’ Day. The grotters are built on the beach and candle-lit as dusk falls, creating a
unique landmark for everyone to admire.

Other highlights include a two-day food fair showcasing the best local produce and the international Oyster Eating competition, which sees competitors race each other to devour oysters and beer in the shortest possible time.

Festival co-ordinator Mair Stratton said: “Last year was the most successful festival ever but this year is set to be even better.

“We’ve got more events than ever before and most family events are completely free, making Whitstable the ideal destination for a holiday or day out this summer.

“The events are spread right through the week so there is something for children to do every single day - avoiding that nightmare cry of ‘I’m bored!’

“There’s no need to feel like you are missing out by not going away this year when there is so much on offer right here in Whitstable.”

Other family events include live music, arts taster sessions, belly dancing and even a campaign to re-introduce pie-throwing as an Olympic sport. There is also a day dedicated to children’s sport, Friday, July 24, and the thrilling mud tug, on Sunday, July 19, is another a family favourite.

Whitstable is just 90 minutes from London and only a 20 minute drive from the beautiful Cathedral city of Canterbury.

For full details of the programme and the latest updates, visit
http://www.whitstableoysterfestival.com, follow @Oysterfest09 on Twitter or join the Whitstable Oyster Festival 2009 group on Facebook.

Ends

Notes to editors:

Footage of last year’s Oyster Festival was included in the opening episode of the new series of Coast, screened on BBC 2 on Tuesday, July 14 at 8pm.

For more information, please contact festival co-ordinator Mair Stratton on 07712 529882 or email mailto:[email protected]

Alternatively, feel free to contact Liz Crudgington, festival PR, on 07766 735940 or email mailto:[email protected]

Full details of the programme are available at http://www.whitstableoysterfestival.com and you are welcome to send a reporter and/or photographer to any of the festival events.