Whitstable (pronounced /ˈʍɪtstəbəl/) is a seaside town in northeast Kent, southeast England. It is 8 kilometres (5 mi) north of the city of Canterbury and 3 kilometres (2 mi) west of the seaside town of Herne Bay. It is part of the Canterbury Local Authority district and has a population of about 30,000. Known as the "Pearl of Kent", Whitstable is famous for its oysters, which have been collected in the area since at least Roman times. The town itself dates back to before the writing of the Domesday Book. Whitstable's distinctive character and ambience is popular with tourists, and its maritime heritage is celebrated with the annual Oyster Festival in July. After a period of decline, the oyster fishery industry is now thriving again, and freshly caught shellfish are available throughout the year at several seafood restaurants and pubs in the town. In 1830, one of the earliest passenger railway services was opened by the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway Company and, in 1832, the company opened Whitstable harbour and extended the line to enable passage to London from the port. The railway has since closed but the harbour still plays an important role in the town's economy.