The Kent coastal towns of Whitstable and Herne Bay are 5 miles apart, but are very different in character. However, they are united in having a wealth of diverse and colourful pubs. Whitstable, over the past decade or so, has become one of the most fashionable destinations in the UK, attracting hundreds of thousands of well-heeled tourists every year, both from the UK and abroad. The town also hosts a highly regarded literary festival and also a biannual contemporary art festival. Whitstable's many pubs are central to both events and all year round play a major part in the town's culture. Herne Bay has lived in Whitstable's trendy shadow for some time now, but over the past two years has been developing a character all of its own. It now combines elements of a traditional English seaside town with a number of increasingly upmarket elements and a diverse range of pubs.