Folkestone: Coast, Art and History

Folkestone combines coastal landscapes, public art and a multifaceted history. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home for their stay can make their preferred type of trip the starting point: Should the day be spent outdoors in the park and on the Downs, should art and the town’s history be the focus, or should walks around the harbour be a fixed part of the itinerary? Folkestone offers specific points of interest for these different preferences.

Coastal landscapes and trails for active days

Lower Leas Coastal Park is a linear park between Folkestone and Sandgate. It was developed for recreation and experiencing the coast, giving a stay a distinctly scenic character. For travellers who would like to explore Folkestone by bicycle, National Cycle Route 2 is also of interest: it runs along Lower Sandgate Road. These two options help you choose accommodation according to your personal daily rhythm, without limiting the trip to sightseeing in the town alone.

Folkestone Downs also offer a different perspective on the town and provide spectacular views across it. You can walk anywhere on the Downs; at the same time, caution is required because of steep, muddy slopes. Care must also be taken around grazing livestock. The landscape is therefore particularly suitable for a carefully planned walk that takes sturdy footwear and the prevailing conditions into account. Anyone looking for a shorter, clearly described route will find the Folkestone Circular Walk: an inclusive circular route of 3.4 miles (5.5 km) tested by Wild With Wheels CIC.

Art, harbour and local atmosphere

Folkestone Artworks brings contemporary art into the urban environment. The exhibition is considered the largest urban exhibition of contemporary art in the United Kingdom, is free of charge and accessible around the clock on 365 days a year. Folkestone Artworks also offers recommended walking routes for exploring the exhibition. This makes it possible to combine a cultural programme with exercise without a single scheduled visit determining the day.

A walk along Folkestone Harbour Arm is possible every day. The area adds the harbour to the town’s scenic character. The Goods Yard is the outdoor street-food area and events space of Folkestone Harbour Arm. For trip planning, this creates a distinctive combination of art, walking and culinary interest. The colourful Creative Quarter centres on Old High Street, Tontine Street and Mill Bay, adding another urban accent.

History from the museum to the Roman villa

Folkestone Museum in Kent presents Folkestone’s history: from its beginnings as a modest coastal community, through its heyday as a fashionable seaside resort, to the period that followed. This makes the development of the town just as important as individual attractions. Anyone interested in older traces can also include Folkestone Roman Villa. It survives as an underground archaeological structure on a cliff-top at East Cliff in Folkestone and overlooks East Wear Bay.

The parish church of St Mary and St Eanswythe takes visitors even further back. Its chancel arch arcade dates from the 13th century. Christian worship has taken place in or near the church since the middle of the 7th century, when St Eanswythe founded her monastery. For visits, the church is usually open on Mondays and from Wednesdays to Saturdays from 11:00 to 13:00, provided volunteer church stewards are available. This condition is part of the day’s planning.

Another historic landmark is Folkestone Leas Lift, a Grade II* listed funicular railway that first opened in 1885. The lift is currently being restored. It should therefore be regarded as part of Folkestone’s history, not as a reliably usable means of transport during your stay.

Choose the right accommodation for your travel plans

When searching for a holiday apartment in Folkestone, it is worth deciding on your priorities first. A day plan focused on the coastal park, harbour and walks will differ from one centred on the museum, Creative Quarter, church and Roman villa. Anyone wishing to combine several interests can divide their days between landscapes, art and history. The verified opening hours and the current restoration status of individual places should be taken into account, as should the requirements of walking on the Downs.

For further orientation, you can also look at Wateringbury, Langley, Newington, Birchington, Yalding, Ramsgate, Sheerness and Penshurst.

For the overarching travel overview: Kent.