Whitstable (/ˈwɪtstəbəl/, locally [ˈwɪʔstəbl]) is a seaside town on the north coast of Kent in south-east England, 8 kilometres (5 mi) north of Canterbury and 3 kilometres (2 mi) west of Herne Bay. It has a population of about 30,000.Whitstable is famous for oysters, which have been collected in the area since Roman times and are celebrated at the annual Whitstable Oyster Festival.