Oyster farm tours available in Whitstable
As well as following the oysters' journey from sea to plate, the tours also cover the WOFC's history. In 1574 the right to fish in Whitstable was granted by Royal Patent and in 1793 the Company of Free Fishers and Dredgers of Whitstable was incorporated as the WOFC by a Private Act of Parliament.At the company's peak in the 1850s it was sending about 80 million oysters to Billingsgate Fish Market in London every year.Around 10.5 million oysters are grown at the farm each year now and supplied all over the country to private customers, fishmongers and restaurants.
Pacific rock oysters thrive in intertidal waters, where they spend a significant part of the day out of the water. To adapt to this environment, they have developed thick, strong shells that protect them from natural predators and extreme weather conditions. Whitstable Bay is an ideal location for oyster farming due to its nutrient-rich waters, which promote healthy growth and development.The WOFC also produces Whitstable native oysters which are grown further out to sea and only accessible by dredger."We hope this adds to our town's tourism offer," added Mr Hall. "We run the tours all year round and it's a lovely way to see how we make the product we are famous for."
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