I have called this post as an ‘almost staycation’, because to me a staycation means having time off work to holiday from home. Having days out, exploring your local area, catching up with family and friends or reading a book in the garden is what a staycation is all about in my book.
Nowadays, when the media talks about a staycation they mean holidaying in the UK. I am all for this! I’m not a fan of busy airports or flying, although I will brave an overseas flight once in a while.
Our almost staycation was a long weekend in Whitstable on the Kent coast. We had never visited before, even though Kent isn’t far from where we live in north Essex.
The forecast the week before was for rain all weekend. When we arrived on Saturday morning, it was a little grey and cool. However, within a few hours, the sun was trying to push its way through. When it did arrive, it shone for two days. We were so lucky!
The harbour
We arrived early and parked at the harbour. There wasn’t much open, so we had a stroll up the beach, which is full of pebbles and sectioned up by groynes. We came across this pub, The Neptune, which had some very good casts of local people to draw attention to sea pollution.
Then we headed back to find many more people milling about and all of the little huts that form Harbour Market open. They are full of interesting small businesses, mostly food and art. My sister had said to me that I should look up her friend Irene, who makes and sells her glasswork.
We found her and she worked out whose sister I was. Me and my sister are getting more and more alike the older we get!
Our Air B&B
As you would imagine, we didn’t splash out on an expensive hotel, but opted for a small, basic chalet in someone’s garden. It was clean and comfortable. Perfect for a couple of days away and really amazing value. It was also dog friendly, so we could bring Archie. He loves the seaside!
It had tea-making facilities and a microwave, which was fine for a weekend. We couldn’t manage like that for longer as we save money by making our own food when we are away.
We visited Whitstable Castle in the afternoon and had a cream tea. The gardens there are small but very pretty and free to enter.
Mount Ephraim Gardens
The best thing we did whilst we were in the area was to head to Mount Ephraim Gardens. What a beautiful place! My favourite parts were the Japanese inspired water garden, which was so peaceful, and the cottage garden. Absolutely stunning!
I recommend this is you are ever in this part of Kent.
We had so many lovely walks along the coast whilst we were there. The beach houses near our accommodation were fabulous. We looked up one for sale and it was a cool £2.5 million – and that was one of the cheaper houses! Millionaires’ row.
It was a fabulous weekend. We spent more than we usually would on food, as we decided we had to try the famous Whitstable oysters on our staycation. They were ok, but I wouldn’t rush to eat them again!
Have you been to the Kent coast? What is your favourite place for an almost-staycation?
Sam says
My definition too if staycation is sleeping in my own bed at night but out and about like tourists during the day. We’re fortunate to have access to a family cabin about an hour away, so can use a couple starting places for exploring. I e of my best vacations was October 2020, just my husband and I on a cabin staycation.
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Sounds amazing!