seaside resort

Whitstable portrait

/ mikeosbornphoto / 14 Comments

I spent a memorable day in the Kent coastal town of Whitstable recently. It was a cold but wonderfully bright, sunny day while the sea was tempestuous and invigorating.

This seaside resort basks in glory compared to many around Britain’s coast. It has many regular London visitors who enjoy the rustic pebbled beaches, a pretty town studded with independent shops, not to mention its oysters and seafood.

It feels alive but with an old charm, and no air of neglect and sadness like its rival to the east, Margate.

It was a beautiful day for photography, with the powerful sea, details of seaside architecture and the beachside providing rich food for the camera.

Visit the Photo Shop bannerClick first image for the full gallery experience

Seaside signs

/ mikeosbornphoto / 7 Comments

The Kent seaside town of Whitstable bristles with signs. Signs that glint in the bright sunshine of a November day.

One grandly pronounces the resort’s long and proud connection with oysters, while a lifeguard hut pulses its dazzling red and yellow presence.

Elsewhere, the faded elegance of a hotel and the name of an old house near the shore are announced to all. Little pieces of history, just a few fragments of a British coastal beacon.

Visit the Photo Shop banner

Click first image to launch the gallery

Old Town charm

/ mikeosbornphoto / Leave a comment

English seaside resort Margate fared poorly in yesterday’s post – a neglected town of graffiti and misery.

But go past the tawdry amusement arcades and you come to the Old Town, which is small in area but bristling with handsome, sturdy old buildings. There are places to eat, little shops to browse in, and even galleries. It has a feeling of regeneration and life. And a place that has a bustling cupcake shop has really come of age.

It’s a place to explore and led to another discovery. Margate’s most famous daughter is artist Tracey Emin, and a wall is adorned with a piece of street art in homage to her. This leads neatly into the next part of this town’s story, to be published here in the coming days.

Walking by the sea

/ mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

A man takes a walk by the sea. It’s a warm day, hot when the sun shows itself. I didn’t really notice him – at the time I was more absorbed in taking shots of the barrier between the walkway and the shore. But he veered into the frame and I made use of his presence. He was unaware of this.

I took the photograph on a trip to Margate, a seaside resort in Kent, south-east England. It’s a town of contrasts and many interests for the photographer. There will be more from Margate in the upcoming days.