With no end in sight to our extraordinary heat-wave, you may be getting a little bored of lolling around in London’s parks.  If the frisbees are fraying your nerves and you can’t quite recall what a horizon looks like, it may be time to break out the city and re-discover England’s coastline – (melting train tracks permitting).  Resist following your colleagues to London-by-Sea  and venture instead to upmarket Whitstable where the world really is your oyster.

The landing of the oyster

As the surprising birthplace of scuba gear, it’s fair to say that the Whitstable coastline is not quite on a par with the Red Sea or Great Barrier Reef.  Plunge below the surface  though and a whole new world of gastronomic riches is revealed.  Exported in their thousands by the Romans, the humble native Whitstable oyster is still judged to be one of the best in the world.  Once the bread and butter of the local economy, the town continues to honour the oyster in a thanksgiving festival re-enacted from Norman times.

The day’s action kicks off at Long Beach with the “landing of the oysters” where the first catch of the season is ceremoniously brought in from the sea.  The crustaceans are then formally blessed by the Mayor of Canterbury before making their way to local restaurants via an “It’s a knockout” style parade, packed with tottering giants and monster fish.

Blessing of the Oysters

After the parade, out-of-towners settle down to the festival’s main attraction, the Harbour Food Fair.  Showcasing the very best of the region’s seafood, toppling stacks of Pacific Rock Oysters line up along an endless row of identikit stalls. (Sadly, native oysters are not available in the summer months.)

Oyster sellers

Champagne corks pop as shucks crack open the liquid gold in a distinctly St Tropez vibe. A squirt of lemon and a splash of tabasco later, I brace myself for the salty delicacy to slither its way down. Not entirely convinced, I politely decline an invitation to take part in the following day’s infamous Whitstable Oyster challenge where feverish contestants race to slurp down six of the slippery devils in the fastest time.

The packed week’s events culminate in a spectacular firework display on a beach romantically lit-up by “grotters” – oyster-shell lanterns crafted by local school children.

Grotters

On the packed train back to the metropolis, a startling party atmosphere prevails as briny, lobster-red Londoners reflect on a smashing day at the great British sea-side.  That is until the Oyster card is summoned and the all-too-familiar commute home beckons.

In 2015 the Whitstable Oyster Festival will be held from Saturday 25th July to Friday 31st July with the Oyster Parade on Saturday 25th and Sea Sunday on the 26th. For more information visit: www.whitstableoysterfestival.com

Have you visited the Whitstable Oyster Festival?  Please share your experiences.