Steeped in maritime and wartime history, Folkestone’s appeal as a coastal sanctuary dates back to the Victorians. Celebrated figures ranging from King Edward VII to Agatha Christie frequently sought refuge here, while European travellers passed through its waters via the legendary Orient Express. Framed by the rolling Kent Downs and dramatic cliffs, the town anchored British shipping for two centuries and stood as a critical gateway to the Western Front in World War I.
Folkestone Museum (folkestonemuseum.co.uk) will take you on a journey through the history of Folkestone and can be found at the Town Hall, 1-2 Guildhall Street.
Having weathered a mid-century decline brought on by overseas commercial flights, Folkestone has successfully reclaimed its status as a premier destination and is very much back in demand not just for visitors, but those looking for a town they can call home. With average house prices sitting around £306,000, Folkestone offers better value than perhaps some of the county’s other towns. It not only offers a coastal vibe, but the countryside is also within reach.
Education-wise, parents of younger children will find Hawkinge Primary School and St Eanswythe’s Church of England Primary School are both Outstanding options. The Folkestone School for Girls is an 11-18 selective girls’ grammar school, while The Harvey Grammar School, is a selective school for boys aged 11-18.
You won’t need to leave town with so much going on. Quarterhouse is a performing arts venue which presents a regular programme of theatre, music, film, comedy and everything in between, check out creativefolkestone.org.uk/folkestone-quarterhouse for details. And from West End musicals and classic plays to live music, comedy, and touring productions, the programme at The Tower Theatre (towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk) is as varied as the audiences who fill it. Home of The Folkestone Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society (FHODS), one of the oldest dramatic societies in the UK, it was founded in 1902 and is still going strong and always welcoming support.
If you really do have to travel to the City, high-speed trains to St Pancras International Station take under an hour while Stagecoach South East provides bus services. Often seen as the gateway to Europe, it takes around 35 minutes to reach Calais via the LeShuttle.
With its yummy food, sea views, culture, shops and sunshine, Folkestone has it in bucket loads, what more could you ask for?
FOOD AND DRINK
It’s just over a decade since Folkestone Harbour Arm was transformed from a derelict ferry port to a buzzing hub of places to eat and drink. Hugo’s at The Board Room, is a new food and drink offer at the social gaming venue. The gastro-gaming menu features small plates, sharing platters, and big plates to suit all appetites… the Korean BBQ pork belly bites and gourmet burgers sound delicious. You can find out more about the couple behind Hugo’s and their other business, Hatch Rotisserie Chicken, in our case study overleaf. Other expansions include the popular Harbour Arm homeware store and cocktail bar GAIA Studios which recently expanded with the launch of GAIA & Grind, an all-day coffee and Asian-inspired brunch destination on Platform 4. As well as espresso and batch brew, there will also be nitro cold-brew coffees, infused with nitrogen which makes the coffee creamy and has a beautiful foam top. Get your day off to a fine start at Sailbox with its breakfasts and brunch dishes. Sixty additional covers and the new, larger kitchen has allowed the team to grow the menu. While it may be small, SIP at The Signal Box has always punched above its weight. It now has an additional indoor seated area with afternoon tea offering. We’re talking speciality coffee, sweet treats and harbour views. Find out what’s on at the Harbour Arm at folkestoneharbourarm.co.uk
EXPLORE
There’s not really much you can’t do in Folkestone, the only issue will be making time to fit everything in! Of course, there are the beaches, check out The Warren if you want to try some rockpooling, while Sunny Sands is perfect if you want to park nearby and be close to the town if the weather takes a bit of an autumn turn. The area is also ideal for those with a passion for water sports. From high-energy activities to slow, scenic paddles and refreshing sea swims, that’s those boxes ticked. Then there are the green spaces. Having recently been awarded Green Flag status, by Keep Britain Tidy, Kingsnorth Gardens, Lower Leas Coastal Park and Radnor Park have all been recognised with the prestigious award for 2026/27. Getting your art fix doesn’t mean you have to visit a gallery. From Banksy to Antony Gormley, Tracey Emin to Yoko Ono, Folkestone is home to the UK’s largest urban outdoor exhibition of contemporary art in the shape of Folkestone Artworks. And a final nudge to the Creative Quarter and Folkestone Harbour, they’re popular spots in the town and rightly so. Head to folkestoneandhythe.co.uk for a plethora of things to see and do all year round. Happy exploring!
SHOPPING
It’s good to know that when it comes to shopping in Folkestone, it’s bucking the trend with a first-rate mix of independent and artisan shops centred around the Creative Quarter and the old High Street.
Landau (landaustore.co.uk) has been in the heart of the town since 1982 and has grown into a destination for fashion, footwear, and lifestyle goods… get yourself kitted out this autumn in style. The Great British Shop (thegreatbritishshop.com) brings together a collection of individual and sometimes unique pieces which would inspire and delight shoppers. Ensuring many component parts of the business are sourced within the UK, packaging is all made locally too. That’s really celebrating shop local. For cards and gifts, take a look at Objectables (objectables.co.uk), they’re makers of funny greetings cards so belly laughs are guaranteed.
Another gem is Moda (modafolkestone.com) an award-winning hub of eclectic home décor, quirky gifts and jewellery. It will be music to your ears to know that Vintage and Vinyl (vintageandvinyl.co.uk) is a record shop that offers a variety of music-related items. For some retail therapy at some of the most popular high street names, then check out Bouverie Place: mybouverieplace.co.uk
STAY
There’s so much to see and celebrate in Folkestone, if you’re not living here, you’ll want to stay a little longer, right?
There’s numerous staycation options available. As well as its restaurant, Sotirio’s also offers boutique hotel accommodation with Stay 2a (sotiriosfolkestone.com). There are three designed-themed king-size en suite bedrooms and in the heart of the town, it’s a great base for exploring the area.
Also centrally located is The Relish (above) (hotelrelish.co.uk) which can be found in the fashionable West End and is Regency splendour at its best. Little touches make it special and there’s no charge for fresh coffee or tea 24 hours a day!
With a seafront terrace, Shoreline (shorelinefolkestone.co.uk) has two beach houses to rent for a weekend, a week or a month. The Beach House caters for eight guests with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, while The View is on the new ocean boardwalk with wraparound sea views. Four guests across two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and both can cater for two dogs.
LOCAL LIFE
Emily Davies and Rob Porter
Owners of Hugo’s at The Board Room and Hatch Rotisserie Chicken.
What you love most about Folkestone?
We love the calmness of Folkestone – how friendly everyone is, from dog walks to talking to all the independent traders throughout Folkestone – someone has always got another hidden gem to tell you about! Everyone seems to want the best for Folkestone.
You named Hugo after your son, what will he enjoy growing up here?
We’re excited that he can grow up next to the sea, and all the fantastic outdoors spaces. Folkestone is such a family-friendly place. Not to mention it’s creativeness – everybody has the freedom to express themselves.
With two businesses in the town, what’s been the reaction from locals/other traders?
The other traders have been super-helpful, especially those in the Goods Yard. It’s been great to be welcomed into such a supportive environment – where everyone wants to uplift each other.
The highlights so far?
No regrets so far! We’re excited to see where these new ventures take us!.
