Why Whitstable is holiday hotspot for celebrities including Rob Beckett, Josh Widdicombe and Aaron Paul

As more and more famous faces flock to Whitstable, reporter Lotte Brundle investigates what’s up with the town, which is increasingly attracting celebrity holidaymakers…

“I’ll give Whitstable full marks – what a town,” said comedian Josh Widdicombe after a recent family vacation to their favorite seaside spot.

Podcast co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Rob Beckett have both been to Whitstable for a family holiday this summer. Image: Instagram / robbeckett

He also enjoyed playing with his kids on the beach and enjoying a “date night” meal at the Michelin-starred gastro-pub The Sporstman in Seasalter – of which Gary Lineker is also a fan.

The prankster opened up about his visit to the popular Parenting Hell podcast, which he co-hosts with fellow Bromley-based comic Rob Beckett – who also brought his family to Whitstable this summer.

They’re the latest in a long list of celebrities to make the trip to the city.

This year alone, Whitstable has welcomed Aaron Paul from Breaking Bad, Dominic West from The Wire, comedian Paul Whitehouse and Star Wars actress Genevieve O’Reilly.

Residents say they’ve become so used to seeing famous faces “that we’re now keeping up with celebrity visits.”

Michelin-starred gastropub The Sportsman Pub at Seasalter is popular with celebrities – including Gary Lineker, who had lunch there in 2017Gary Lineker at The Sportsman, Seasalter, 2017 with Sous Chef Joe McMahan

They believe the city attracts the stars thanks to its independent shops, stunning coastline, a ‘celebrity magnet’ pub and the fact that everything is within walking distance.

Best known for his appearances on The Last Leg and Mock the Week, Mr Widdicombe went to Whitstable with his wife, two young children and mother-in-law to recover from life in London.

His podcast co-host asked if he also visited Margate on his travels, but Mr Widdicombe said they only stayed in Whitstable “because it was so beautiful – absolutely beautiful”.

“It was a very […] healthy vacation,” he added, saying that as a family they mostly “played on the beach.”

Mr Beckett has also been relaxing on the pebbles this summer.

Rob Beckett took this selfie in Whitstable on August 30th. Image: Instagram / robbeckett

The former Canterbury Christ Church University student posted a selfie on Instagram next to one of the groynes along the seafront in August.

Another star taking his family on holiday to Whitstable this summer is Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman on the TV series Breaking Bad.

His wife Lauren shared snaps from their two-week visit to social media and spoke of their love for the city.

Posting a picture of her husband sitting on a windowsill looking out to sea at sunset, she said: “For 15 nights we sat in this exact spot watching the sunset.

“Most of the time we talked, but sometimes not.

Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul looks out over Whitstable seafront. Image: @laurenpaul8/InstagramLauren Paul took to Instagram to share photos from her trip to Whitstable with husband Aaron Paul. Image: @laurenpaul8/Instagram

“I will remember that window for the rest of my life and the gentle respite it gave me at a time when I feel constantly out of breath.”

The couple married in 2013 and have two children together.

Another photo from their holiday appears to show Mr Paul flying a kite with their four-year-old daughter, Story Annabelle, on Whitstable’s shingle beach.

Another picture shows him relaxing in a straw hat on the porch of their vacation retreat as throngs of tourists pass by in the sunshine.

Sharing a snap of colorful Harbor Street, Ms Paul described Whitstable as “the cutest little town” and one of her “new favourites”.

A-list actor Aaron Paul relaxes in the sun on Whitstable seafront. Image: @laurenpaul8/InstagramAaron Paul poses with The Offy manager Ross Bell and a bottle of his Mezcal Dos Hombres. Image: Ross Bell

She added: “Whitstable has some of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen.”

Mr Paul even went to liquor store The Offy, where he bought a bottle of Dos Hombres – his own Mexican-style mezcal created with his Breaking Bad co-star Bryan Cranston.

Speaking to KentOnline, shop manager Ross Bell, 50, described the unexpected visit as “absolutely coincidental”.

Mr Ross said: “He was so lovely – a real, real sweetheart. He also took photos with other people in the store and was really humble.

“It’s great to have a proper A-lister in your store.”

Councilor Chris Cornell owns an Airbnb in Whitstable

So what attracts so many stars to Whitstable to holiday here?

Labor Councilor Chris Cornell, who owns a local Airbnb, says the town has always been popular with families — especially those looking to get away from busy city life.

“I love the Parenting Hell podcast and Rob and Josh, but their interest is nothing new,” he said.

“We have long welcomed many young families to our city seeking the premier beach outside of London and enjoying our independent spirit and shops.”

Lee Murray, 52, owner of Harbor Street Tapas, believes Whitstable has a unique appeal to famous faces.

Lee Murray, owner of Harbor Street Tapas, pictured far right, with staff

He revealed Genevieve O’Reilly, who plays Mon Mothma in the Star Wars franchise, was visiting earlier this year.

“She was lovely — not starry at all,” he said, adding that “the girls who work here were very smitten with Aaron Paul,” who also came to dine at the restaurant a couple of times.

Mr Murray, who has owned Harbor Street Tapas since 2016, said: “The attraction of Whitstable is that it’s small and you can walk to everything. Other towns in Kent are more widely scattered.

“It’s a five minute walk to the harbour, five minutes to the train station and five minutes to The Neptune [pub].”

Diccon Payn, 50, owner of Around the Clock, a popular spot for drinks and restaurants in Whitstable, says the town’s main draw is “all the individual shops” rather than the chains.

Diccon Payn, owner of Around The Clock in Whitstable

He says Whitstable is “the first place outside of London to get that”.

It’s not just celebrities with families who come to town – other current stars to visit include Dominic West and Jack Whitehall.

Mr West was spotted earlier this summer by Whitstable resident Janice Johnston out walking on the town’s beach.

“I was at the Native Oyster restaurant and I thought this guy looks like him,” she told KentOnline.

“I told him on The Affair how much I love him. He was so friendly and even gave me a hug and a kiss!”

Dominic West stops for a selfie with Janice Johnston on Whitstable beachJack Whitehall enjoys the sun on Whitstable beach. Image: Instagram / jackwhitehall

Meanwhile, Mr Whitehall, who has also appeared on TV shows such as Fresh Meat and Bad Education, was seen walking his dog on Whitstable beach last summer.

He also visited The Crescent Turner Hotel on Wraik Hill and posted to Instagram to share the views while having lunch.

Another celebrity popped up in town this week, and Paul Whitehouse stopped to chat with another angler.

Fan John Wells spotted the comedian with film crews in Tankerton on Wednesday.

“I was on my way home when I bumped into Paul and the film crew,” said the Whitstable resident.

Gone Fishing star Paul Whitehouse was spotted filming in Tankerton. Image: John Wells

“He asked, ‘Are you catching something?’ and we chatted about fishing and soccer for five minutes.”

Author Julie Wassmer moved to Whitstable from London in 1999 and has seen dozens of famous faces visit over the years.

“When I moved to Whitstable I was still writing EastEnders and at least two cast members were regulars here at the time – Laila Morse, aka Big Mo, and Jake Wood, who played Max Branning,” she said.

“Back then I wrote my episodes while sitting in the Tudor Tea Rooms where Peter Cushing was having his afternoon tea.”

She says the “iconic” Old Neptune pub on Whitstable beach remains a “celebrity magnet”.

Whitstable author Julie WassmerThe ‘iconic’ Old Neptune Pub on West Beach, Whitstable

“Sixteen years ago when Peter O’Toole was in the movie ‘Venus,’ he was in the pub giving everyone a drink,” she recalls.

“Since then many famous faces have been photographed with proprietor Darren Wilton: Stacey Dooley, Micky Flanagan, Jane Horrocks, Harry Hill – and that other pub proprietor, Al Murray.

“Now, ‘Neppy’ is also a staple of my crime fiction TV series, ‘Whitstable Pearl’, which stars Kerry Godliman.

“Kerry has also become a fan of our town and has stayed here outside of filming.”

Ms Wassmer says she’s “not entirely surprised” that the city is attracting so many stars.

Kerry Godliman in Whitstable Pearl. Credit: Mark Bourdillon/AcornTV

“We have stunning coastline, sensational sunsets, we’re close to beautiful countryside and a short bus ride from the city of Canterbury,” she said.

“We also have a great sense of community.

“Whitstable is special and after getting used to seeing famous faces we now accept celebrity visits.

“After all, it’s not every small town where you can eat out and chat with Bob Geldof or Suggs.”