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Kent Coast - Day Trip to Folkestone Harbour & Creative Quarter.



Folkestone is a seaside town on the Kent Coast which is currently having a resurgence in popularity following a massive regeneration program which is ongoing.

The word of this Cinderella of a town is now well and truly out as it has just been included in The Times Best places to live by the sea in 2023.


The Baumé historic houses in Folkestone Kent  Tudor style buildings  . Easthope Glass Company blue facade  , Est 1957  . Family run stained glass business
East Hope Glass Studios Folkestone

Folkestone is 63 miles from London and can be reached in less than an hour by train.

We visited recently to see what has changed since our last trip 20 years ago and found that

Folkestone it to be very different place to when we last went.

Boats in Harbour in front of Grand Burstin Hotel
Folkestone Harbour

First impression was that the harbour area has been smartened up and developed giving a handy

start point to begin to explore the town. Folkestone is still a working harbour but now also a tourist hub, with a conveniently large car park.

Seagull on post in middle of Folkestone Harbour Kent  surrounded by boats
Seagull at Folkestone Harbour

The harbour hosts a local market, mini golf course, open air concerts and large screen events with a vast number of bars and eateries to "feed and water" both visitors and locals.

The worlds first rail- sea link station, closed since 2014 , now refurbished and open for visitors   Man walking along platform of Victorian Style Railway Train Station
The Worlds First Rail- Sea Link - Folkestone Station

At the foot of the area is an old derelict station has been completely transformed, crumbling buildings were sympathetically restored and repurposed, including Customs House which is now an events and exhibition centre https://www.folkestoneseafront.com/folkestone-harbour-seafront-development/customs-house/history/

It's now possible to walk along tracks which previously transported Queen Victoria to her ship to depart on her last visit abroad. Instead of oil, you will now find weeds and wildflowers left intentionally growing to enhance the area.

Old Signal Box Hastings Station  people passing walking dog
Folkestone Harbour Old Station Signal Box

There is even a coffee shop in the old Signal Box, currently unoccupied - it's up for rental if you fncy a new venture take a look here :- https://folkestoneharbourarm.co.uk/the-signal-box/

Palm Trees to side of beach bar  area The Pilot Bar Folkestone
The Pilot Beach Bar Folkestone

The Beach area has two open bars and terraced areas next to the popular coastal path walks one of which can be found here https://explorekent.org/activities/hythe-to-folkestone-walk-art-nostalgia/

Wooden walkway along Folkestone Beach into distance of new apartments near Harbour Arm
Coastal Walkway Folkestone Beach

Next we headed across the road to the Creative Quarter, opposite the harbour.

Brightly coloured shops and cobbled street in Folkestone Creative Quarter
Shopping in Folkestone Creative Quarter

This area reminds us of Neals Yard in Covent Garden with its colourful facades and independent shops.

We cover the streets that surround the area finding more great shops and cafes for coffee stops.


We met the owners of a wonderfully eclectic gift emporium, Moda https://modafolkestone.com who have been in Folkestone for more than fifteen years and have now decided to stop counting the years !

Moda Gift shop basement packed with bric and Brac and Italian style statue
Moda Gift Shop

We purchased some unique cards for upcoming birthdays and a wedding. We then headed off to the Bayles residential area at the top of the hill overlooking the town where we discover the oldest Pub in Folkestone .

British Lion pub with Union Jack bunting and school sign
Bayle Village Folkestone

The British Lion which is at 8-10 The Bayle, Folkestone CT20 1SQ .

We then made our way back down the hill to the harbour passing RockSalt to get back to the car .

Unplanned, we stopped for a bar snack each on the terrace which was very nice and lived up to the restaurants reputation for great fresh seafood .

Crab Pate served on crab shell with bread and knife and fork at table of Rocksalt Restaurant Folkestone , Kent
Lunchtime Bar Food at Rocksalt Folkestone

It maybe worth noting that dogs are not permitted in the restaurant, bar or on the terrace.

Table at window with view of Harbour Rocksalt Restaurant Folkestone
Rocksalt upstairs bar window view

We stayed for a while to enjoy the view across the harbour of Richard Woods "Holiday Homes".

You find out out more about the artist and his link to the area here https://www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/artists/richard-woods/


Jimmy Hendrix Blue plaque at side of cafe in Folkestone
Jimmy Hendrix Blue Plaque in Folkestone

Maps to help guide you through Folkestone according to your interests

Four Walks from Creative Folkestone including

Hythe to Folkestone - Art and Nostalgia Walk

Bella Vita Italian Restaurant - Folkestone Creative Quarter
Bella Vita Restaurant

Find places to eat in Folkestone


Folkestone Foodies are local and have all the best places covered in their blog https://folkestonefoodies.co.uk



Cafe and Coffee shop in Folkestone Harbour area with dog and people outside sitting enjoyed drinks
People relaxing at the Captains Table

What's on In Folkestone

The Harbour Market is open at weekends https://folkestoneharbourarm.co.uk/outlets/

meet the traders link . All traders are local and Independents Businesses.

What's on this Summer in Folkestone https://folke.life/folkestone/events/

Creative Happenings in Folkestone https://www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/whats-on/

Live Cam link - 24/7 view of what's happening at the Harbour https://folke.life/folkestone/live/folkestone-harbour-seafront/webcam/

Vintage Dresses in window with mirror in Folkestone   Bright blue facade
Court Lily Vintage Clothing Folkestone

Best time to visit for shopping is towards the end of the week or at weekends. This is because most of the shops are Independents and they may not open everyday. Perhaps check before travelling if there is a specific shop you want to visit.

Window display of gifts in Moda Gift Shop Folkestone. Mona Lisa  wears aviayor glasses and pokes her tongue out on another . Touch an ornament and brass lamps
Moda Shop Window

Trains to Folkestone from London St Pancras - fast trains take less than an hour https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/journey/london-st-pancras-to-folkestone-central

Trains to Folkestone West from Charing Cross take around an hour and half

Menus in wooden boxes on bar in Rocksalt Restaurant Folkestone Kent
Rocksalt Restaurant Folkestone

I hope you have found this guide useful and if you have anywhere you think should be included please message me.

Thanks for reading .












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