With more and more famous faces flocking to Whitstable, reporter Lotte Brundle investigates just what it is about the town that is increasingly attracting celebrity holiday-makers...

“I’m going to give full marks to Whitstable - what a town”, said comedian Josh Widdicombe after a recent family holiday to the seaside haunt.

The panel show favourite also enjoyed playing with his children on the beach and a "date night" meal at Michelin-starred gastro pub The Sportsman in Seasalter - which Gary Lineker is a fan of too.

The funnyman talked about his visit on popular podcast Parenting Hell, which he hosts alongside Bromley-based fellow comic Rob Beckett - who also took his family to Whitstable this summer.

They are the latest in a long list of celebrities making the trip to the town.

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

Residents say they have become so used to seeing famous faces "we now take celebrity visits in our stride".

They believe the town draws in the stars thanks to its independent shops, stunning coastline, a "celeb magnet" pub - and the fact everything is within walking distance.

Mr Widdicombe, best-known for appearing in The Last Leg and Mock the Week, went to Whitstable with his wife, two young children and mother-in-law for some respite from London life.

His podcast co-host asked if he had visited Margate as well on his travels, but Mr Widdicombe said they just stayed in Whitstable “because it was so nice - absolutely lovely”.

“It was a very […] wholesome holiday”, he added, saying that they mainly just “played on the beach” as a family.

Mr Beckett has also relaxed on the pebbles this summer.

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 to take his family on holiday to Whitstable this summer is Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman in TV series Breaking Bad.

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

Posting a picture of her husband sitting on a window ledge looking out across the sea as the sun went down, she said: "For 15 nights, we sat in this exact spot to watch the sunset.

"Most of the time we talked, but sometimes we didn't.

"I'll think about this window for the rest of my life and the gentle pause it gave me during a time that constantly feels 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 on Whitstable's shingle beach with their four-year-old daughter Story Annabelle.

Another image shows him relaxing in a straw hat on the porch of their holiday stay, as crowds of tourists walk past in the sunshine.

Sharing a snap of colourful Harbour Street, Mrs Paul described Whitstable as "the cutest little town" and one of her "new favourite places".

She added: "Whitstable has some of the most gorgeous sunsets I've ever seen."

Mr Paul even dropped into liquor shop 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 at the time, shop manager Ross Bell, 50, described the unexpected visit as "utterly random".

Mr Ross said: "He was so lovely - a real, real sweetheart. He took photos with other people in the shop as well, and was really humble.

"It's great to have had a proper A-lister in your shop."

So what is it about Whitstable that is enticing so many stars to holiday here?

Labour councillor Chris Cornell, who owns a local Airbnb, says the town has always been popular with families - particularly those looking to escape hectic 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 town who are looking for the first beach out of London and enjoy our independent spirit and shops.”

Lee Murray, 52, the owner of Harbour Street Tapas, thinks that Whitstable has a unique appeal to famous faces.

He revealed that Genevieve O'Reilly, who plays Mon Mothma in the Star Wars franchise, visited earlier this year.

“She was lovely- not starry at all,” he said, going on to note that “the girls that work here were very excited about Aaron Paul” who also visited a couple of times to dine at the restaurant.

Mr Murray, who has been the owner of Harbour Street Tapas since 2016, said: “The attraction of Whitstable is that it’s small and you can walk to everywhere. Other towns in Kent are more spread out.

"On foot it’s five minutes from here to the harbour, five minutes to the station and five minutes to The Neptune [pub]."

Diccon Payn, 50, owner of Around the Clock, a popular drink and dining destination in Whitstable, says the town's main draw is “all the individual shops” instead of chains.

He says Whitstable is “the first place outside London, where you get that”.

It's not just celebrities with families heading to the town - other recent stars to visit include Dominic West and Jack Whitehall.

Mr West was spotted by Whitstable resident Janice Johnston walking along the town's beach earlier this summer.

"I was in the Native Oyster restaurant and I thought this guy looked like him," she told KentOnline.

"I told him how much I loved him in The Affair. He was so friendly and I even got a hug and kiss!"

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

He has also visited The Crescent Turner hotel on Wraik Hill and posted on Instagram, sharing the views as he ate lunch.

Another celebrity popped up in the town this week, with Paul Whitehouse stopping to chat to a fellow fishing enthusiast.

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

"I was returning home when I chanced across Paul and the film crew," the Whitstable resident said.

"He asked, 'catch anything?', and we then chatted fishing and footie for five minutes."

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

"When I first moved to Whitstable I was still writing EastEnders and at least two cast members were then regular visitors here - Laila Morse, otherwise known as Big Mo, and Jake Wood who played Max Branning," she said.

"At that time, I used to write my episodes while sitting in the Tudor Tea Rooms, where Peter Cushing used to go for his afternoon tea."

She says the "iconic" Old Neptune pub on Whitstable beach remains a "magnet for celebs".

"Sixteen years ago, while starring in the film, Venus, Peter O'Toole sat in the pub and bought a round for everyone," she recalls.

"Since then, lots of famous faces have been snapped in photos with landlord, Darren Wilton: Stacey Dooley, Micky Flanagan, Jane Horrocks, Harry Hill - and that other pub landlord, Al Murray.

"These days, the 'Neppy' is also a regular feature in the TV series of my crime novels, 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 is "not all surprised" the town attracts so many stars.

"We have a stunning coastline, sensational sunsets, we're close to beautiful countryside and only a short bus journey away from the city of Canterbury," she said.

"We also have a great sense of community.

"Whitstable is special and having got used to seeing famous faces we now take celebrity visits in our stride.

"After all, it isn't every small town where you can go out for a bite to eat and find yourself chatting to Bob Geldof or Suggs."