'Whitstable is a stirring little town, with strong business proclivities, and a history stretching far back into the remote past.' So wrote a Kentish Gazette correspondent in 1873, although he could have been describing the north Kent seaside town today. Over the years, the lives of townspeople have been sustained by sea salt production, diving, smuggling, shipbuilding and fishing, along with copperas mining and tourism. In this pocket-sized guide, author Kerry Mayo takes readers on a fascinating tour around Whitstable's streets and buildings, showing how its famous landmarks used to look and how they have changed over the years, as well as exploring some of its lesser-known sights and hidden corners. With the help of a handy location map, readers are invited to discover for themselves the history and the changing face of the town.

'Whitstable is a stirring little town, with strong business proclivities, and a history stretching far back into the remote past.' So wrote a Kentish Gazette correspondent in 1873, although he could have been writing of Whitstable today. Roman soldiers are thought to have dined on its oysters, and the area was certainly settled at the time of the Domesday Book. Over the years, the lives of Whitstable's people have been inextricably linked with the sea. Sea salt production, diving, smuggling, shipbuilding and fishing have all sustained the lives of the townspeople, along with copperas mining and tourism. Today, Whitstable is a vibrant and creative town with boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, cafes, and pubs, but it retains its working harbour and its people have a strong sense of pride in this 'stirring little town', and the bright, prosperous future before it.