Whitstable, lying on the shore of the Thames Estuary on the North Kent coast, has long been famous for its oysters. The world’s first passenger steam railway connected Whitstable to Canterbury in 1830, serviced by a harbour that opened two years later in 1832. These events were the catalysts for growth and prosperity during the ensuing Victorian era, turning a small fishing community into a busy seaside town with maritime-based industries at its heart. Much about the town has changed over the years but its long, winding High Street, the maze of alleyways, an unpretentious seafront and its still-thriving harbour ensure that Whitstable’s charm and special character survives to this day. In Whitstable: The Postcard Collection, Philip Johnson has drawn on a remarkable collection of postcards of Whitstable and Tankerton and the surrounding villages of Swalecliffe, Chestfield and Seasalter, providing a window into the town’s past through the world of old picture postcards. This absorbing selection of images will be of interest to those who live in Whitstable, those who know it well or those who are just intrigued to find out more about this fascinating town.
