Folkestone Between the Sea and History

Folkestone brings together a clearly defined marine reserve and stories that reach far beyond today’s place names. Exploring the area, you will encounter both distinctive connections to the sea and historical and cultural themes in the wider destination of St James. This variety offers different points of interest to consider when planning your trip.

Marine Conservation and Coastal Connections

The Folkestone Marine Reserve extends for 2.1 kilometres. It runs from a point north of the Coral Reef Club Hotel to the southern boundary of the Sandy Lane Hotel property. Its width from the shore ranges from 650 to 950 metres. These measurements and boundary points give the reserve a clearly defined geographical scope and make it a prominent subject for anyone interested in the marine landscape.

The Folkestone Marine Reserve was established in 1981 in the wider destination of St James. According to the National Conservation Commission, it is Barbados’ first and, to date, only legally designated marine reserve. Offshore there is also a reef formed after the Greek ship Stavronikita sank in 1976. The reserve and the reef tell different stories about this stretch of coast: one is a designated protected area, while the other has its origins in a historic shipwreck.

Snorkelling and Getting Your Bearings in St James

Folkestone Marine Park has a protected area for snorkelling. In the wider destination of St James, the park also offers a protected snorkelling area in the calm waters of the west coast, equipment hire, a marine life information centre and a museum. These facilities have different focuses: the snorkelling area is all about experiencing the sea, while the information centre and museum turn your attention to marine life. Check the facilities before your visit.

Folkstone Park, operated by the National Conservation Commission, has a visitor centre, snorkelling equipment hire, a gift shop, picnic tables, a children’s playground, tennis and basketball courts, toilets, changing facilities and parking in St James. A gift shop is also listed among the park’s facilities. The range of facilities offers practical pointers for planning your day; check them before your visit.

History and Culture

The area’s history extends beyond its present-day appearance: the land now occupied by Folkestone originally formed part of the Porter’s Plantation estate. The plantation was owned by the Alleyne family for several generations. This historical connection places Folkestone within the land history of St James without overshadowing the present-day marine landscape.

In Holetown, St. James Parish Church commemorates the first English settlers to arrive in Barbados. The church’s sanctuary and north porch were added in the 20th century. The building thus brings together a reminder of early settlement and later architectural additions. Those interested in history and architecture will find it a distinct cultural point of interest in the wider destination of St James.

The Holetown Festival is also part of St James’s cultural calendar. It takes place in Holetown every year for a week in mid-February and commemorates the arrival of the first settlers on 17 February 1627. There is another practical detail to help you find your way around: in Holetown, 1st and 2nd Streets run parallel, with restaurants and bars between them. The festival, church and streetscape offer different perspectives on Holetown, from historical remembrance to everyday local life.

Which aspects suit your trip?

When choosing a holiday rental in Folkestone, you can start by considering which themes you would most like your trip to focus on. The marine reserve and snorkelling bring the area’s connections to the sea to the fore; the church, its architectural history and the festival lead to cultural and historical themes in St James. Using these interests as a guide helps you form a clearer picture of Folkestone as a destination and begin your search for a holiday rental with a specific idea of your stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Lancaster, Holetown, Durants, Westmoreland, Oxnards, Weston, Porters, Lascelles.

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