10 Best Places To Visit In Folkestone, Kent
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Folkestone is a seaside town situated where Kent's North Downs fall into the English Channel. Its popularity peaked just before the First World War, at the height of the Edwardian period.
This town has a great deal to offer, including Victorian architecture, waterfront parks, and a revitalised harbour. It also has a fascinating history. Folkestone has always been England's defensive front line since France can be seen through the Strait of Dover.
Here are some fun things to do in Folkestone:
1. Folkestone Harbour Arm
An extensive seawall protects Folkestone's harbour’s south side, which was dredged and screened during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Harbour Arm had a ferry service to Boulogne and was connected to the London to Dover line of the Southeastern Railway.
The harbour handled about ten million passengers during the First World War. Following the Channel Tunnel's completion in the 1990s, the number of cross-Channel ferries dropped dramatically. Therefore, the old terminal, which jutted out into the sea for several hundred metres, needed a new purpose.
It is now a popular promenade and summer dining destination, with a handful of enticing semi-permanent eateries in addition to street food stalls, live music and live music performances.
The Harbour Screen is a great place to watch movies and live sporting events, as well as enjoy mezze, barbecue ribs, cockles or stone-baked pizzas while taking in the view of the town and its cliffs.
2. The Leas
This beautifully landscaped promenade was built on the cliffs above the beach during the mid-19th century. It has a long lawn, ornamental flower beds, a theatre, a bandstand, and a memorial arch commemorating the First World War.
Decimus Burton, best known for his work at Kew Gardens and London Zoo, was responsible for much of what you see on the Leas. From the top of the cliff, you can take the cliff lift (if it is in operation) or take the Zig Zag Path down to the seafront, or pause to gaze out over the Channel and the French coast.
3. Lower Leas Coastal Park
In 1784, a landslip moved land from the cliff to the beach under the Leas, forever changing the Seafront of Folkestone. Originally landscaped in the 19th century, the 27-acre Coastal Park took shape from 2000 to 2006.
Only a few parks in the UK have earned the Green Flag. The scenic Zig Zag Path winds through caves, past the bandstand, and offers breathtaking views along with every hairpin turn as it meanders from the Leas Cliff Hall.
The park is divided into three main areas: a formal zone with new pine avenues and flowerbeds, an adventure playground, an amphitheatre; a fun zone; and a wild zone, which protects the unique habitat created by the landslide.
4. Sandgate Beach
Folkestone incorporated Sandgate as part of its urban area in 1934. A long shingle beach runs along the water here, parallel to the waterfront promenade that stretches from Folkestone to Hythe.
Off-season, visitors can enjoy skimming stones, breathing in the crisp sea air, and watching ferries and container ships pass by. Aside from soaking up the summer sun, you can also enjoy seaside treats such as ice cream or fish and chips, hire a beach hut, or go kayaking or sailing.
As a Seaside Award winner and a Marine Conservation Society commended beach, Sandgate Beach is a good place to swim if you are comfortable with the temperatures.
5. Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Folkestone has a hinterland equivalent to a national park. A chalk ridge that arcs from the Surrey Hills along the South East England coast to the White Cliffs of Dover, the Kent Downs are one half of the North Downs.
Among the most photogenic parts of the Downs are those with natural ecosystems, untouched by human influence. Located just north of the town, the Folkestone Downs offer such a space. Dover Hill, which reaches a height of 170 metres, is a popular rollercoaster hill on the coast. Wildflowers that abound in these meadows include the man orchid, the early spider orchid, and the late spider orchid.
6. Folkestone Museum
Folkestone's museum shares the former town hall with the visitor information centre, so it provides an opportunity to explore the town's rich history. The Folkestone Museum has recently reopened thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund grant. The exhibit is divided into five main categories: Fashion, Frontline, Maritime, Natural, and Ancient.
In "Fashion," Folkestone's evolution from a fishing village to an Edwardian seaside resort is described, while "Frontline" documents the town's role as a fortifying coastal station. The Ancient and Natural sections feature Roman artefacts and dinosaur fossils, while the Maritime section details Folkestone's close connection with the sea via fishing, smuggling, and shipwrecks.
7. Sunny Sands
Summertime is a great time to visit the sandy beach nestled between The Stade on the harbour and that Country Park. Should you feel like munching or need to go to the restroom in this area, there are plenty of facilities in place.
Sunny Sands is also a good place to walk at other times of the year. The west end of the park has a terrace offering a picturesque view of the cliffs. There is also a life-size bronze sculpture of the Folkestone Mermaid perched on the rocks like the Copenhagen Mermaid.
Taking inspiration from a local mother of two and climate change and rising sea levels, the Folkestone equivalent depicts a realistic portrait of a woman facing out to the horizon.
8. East Cliff and Warren Country Park
Located East of the harbour, East Cliff and Warren Country Park consists of 300 acres of cliffs, beaches, and terraced habitats formed from hundreds of years of landslides. In the Warren, a Special Scientific Interest Site, around 150 types of birds are spotted during different seasons of the year.
Kent is home to the only grayling butterfly colony in the state, along with 330 types of moths. There is a pitch & putt course and lush lawns on the side closest to the town, dominated by three Napoleonic-era Martello towers.
9. Brockhill Country Park
Brockhill Country Park lies on the north-eastern edge of the Kent Downs, just outside of Hythe on land that was once part of a sprawling Norman manor. Brockhill Stream forms a broad valley in which most of the park is open grassland and meadows.
A trail circles the park's tree-lined central lake, while another follows the valley's ravine. Those two link up with the 163-mile Saxon Shore Way.
Snowdrops bloom in the meadows early in the spring, and you can typically see white marbled butterflies in the summer. Picnic areas are available in the park, while Brockhill Cafe's patio offers a casual place for a cup of tea and conversation.
10. St Leonard's Church
You can investigate this 11th-century Norman church, which contains only one of two ossuaries in England, by driving 10 minutes west toward Hythe. It is located at the bottom of the ambulatory, just below the chancel. There are approximately 2,000 skulls and 8,000 thigh bones buried here, dating back to the 13th century. They were removed from the cemetery to create more burial space.
There are plenty of exciting details in the ossuary, including an inscribed pillar on the southern part of the nave with graffiti depicting ships from the Medieval period. You can see a Norman arch made of recycled stone from Roman structures through an unlocked door on the north side of the nave.
Conclusion
The above places are some of the best places to visit in Folkestone, Kent, UK. Hopefully, we (Fairview Folkestone Roofing) have helped you find your next favourite spot! If you know of any other places that should be included in our list please let us know.
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Is Folkestone A Good Area To Live?
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Folkestone is one of the coolest seaside towns in the UK. This is one of the coastal towns that has a more friendly, local feel than Whitstable or Margate. There is a flourishing creative scene and quaint harbourside pubs in this seaside town that is often missing when seaside resorts cater to tourists.
Folkestone is blessed with abundant green space, scenic cliffs and a great education system. It was also voted one of the best areas to buy a home in 2020. The average house price in 2020 was £257,670 in Folkestone, despite its growing popularity.
Transport Connectivity in Folkestone
Commuters who want more bang for their buck and a more laidback lifestyle can take advantage of the fantastic transport links offered by Folkestone. There are also many popular eateries in the area.
With its proximity to London and the benefits of living by the sea, Folkestone is hugely popular with commuters. An annual season ticket for the high-speed train from Folkestone Central to London St Pancras costs just under £5800. Folkestone West or Central both offer frequent services to London Cannon Street. Folkestone to London is served by 111 trains on an average weekday.
The Euro Tunnel is also available. Folkestone is only 35 minutes from Calais. With "Le Shuttle", the Eurotunnel transports all forms of freight and motor vehicles, from motorbikes to caravans. A route to the Port of Dover is also accessible from Folkestone via the M2, connecting Medway, Sittingbourne, and Faversham.
Education System in Folkestone
Several good schools are located in Folkestone, which is why so many families move here. Over 37 primary schools have been rated as "good" or "outstanding" by Ofsted. Folkestone has six secondary schools.
The Harvey Grammar School, The Folkestone School for girls and The Marsh Academy, are some of the notable schools here.
Just 30 minutes away is the scenic University of Kent. With more than a hundred undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered, as well as international study options, the university has been recognised for outstanding teaching in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
Leisure and Amenities in Folkestone
The art scene in Folkestone is thriving, and there are many local festivals and events.
As part of the regeneration plan for Folkestone, the Creative Quarter is home to an eclectic mix of creative businesses and art studios. You can find fabulous hand-crafted toys and eco-friendly children's clothes at Moo like a Monkey or go rummaging in Rennie's for some vintage finds. Cornelia Parker's Folkestone Mermaid, inspired by HG Wells' story The Sea Lady, is a must-see in Folkestone town.
With all your high street favourites and some local independent shops thrown in for good measure, Bouverie Place Shopping Centre is a must-go. In addition to the refurbished Folkestone Harbour Arm, which is the ideal place to eat and drink, there are many events and attractions available throughout the year.
Experience Michelin-starred cuisine at Rocksalt, where you'll dine al fresco overlooking the English Channel. If you prefer, you can also grab a coffee at Harbour Coffee Co. and enjoy the view.
While Folkestone doesn't offer much in the way of all-night clubs, there are certainly plenty of bars and pubs for you to enjoy. There's nothing better than good conversation and a good pint at The Inn Doors Micropub on Sandgate High Street.
Folkestone is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. There are several free play areas in Lower Leas Coastal Park, and Sunny Sands Beach can be found on the other side of the town. Located in Folkestone's East Cliffs, the Warren and East Cliffs is a more rugged and charming part of the town with a perfect sandy beach, grassy hills, and flower beds. The Warren and East Cliffs are home to numerous watersports and an annual sand making competition. The White Cliffs of Dover are visible from this location as well.
A free, year-round exhibition of artworks featuring the Creative Folkestone Triennial takes place throughout the town every year. Every year, the town hosts the 10 day Open Quarter Art Festival, which gives visitors a chance to meet the creative community's driving force. Normally held in November, the Folkestone Book Festival is a great event for book lovers.
A seaside journey of discovery takes the audience on a wonderful journey through Folkestone's coastline as part of the SALT Festival.
The Indoor Snow Sports Centre is great for active people or a rainy day out with the family. A 60-meter, most incredible long indoor slope is great for skiing, snowboarding, and tobogganing, making it a great place to let off steam. Also worth a visit are the Kent Battle of Britain Museum and the family-friendly Quarter House Theatre.
Safety and Crime in Folkestone
Folkestone has a real family-friendly vibe with a great sense of community. Although the town can be more crowded in the summer months, much like any seaside town, the crime rate is relatively low all year round and lower than the average for the Kent region.
Conclusion
If you're looking for a vibrant seaside town with a friendly atmosphere where you can enjoy the best of British culture and cuisine, then Folkestone is the perfect destination. Why not make Folkestone your new base if you're planning your next holiday? If you enjoyed our blog post, then leave us a comment. Our team at Fairview Folkestone Roofing will be happy to respond to each and every one!
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