Article by Index Digital Team | 22nd May 2025

Folkestone Awaits: Where Diversity Meets Coastal Charm

Rich in history and brimming with culture, Folkestone is proving to be the up and coming Kent seaside resort to move to.

Here we take a look at its past, present and what makes it a great place to live moving forward…

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History

Starting as a small fishing town, Folkestone has grown through the centuries to become a fashionable seaside resort with an exciting future – as regeneration continues to see it evolve into a top Kent destination.

The town’s position as a Channel ferry port meant that it was an important military base during the Second World War. The now restored Harbour Arm was once a major gateway for soldiers fighting in Europe and this important legacy can been see in being remembered at both the Kent Battle of Britain Museum – the world’s largest Battle of Britain collection of memorabilia and artefacts from more than 700 crashed aircraft on display – and Capel-le-Ferne’s Battle of Britain Memorial, which is dedicated to Churchill’s famous “Few” who fought in the skies.

Remnants of Folkestone’s more distant past can be seen in the Martello Towers which were constructed along the seafront across Kent during the Napoleonic War to defend our coast. A visit to Dymchurch’s tower offers the chance to see one that has been fully-restored and re-equipped with its cannon.

The sacred heritage of the locality can be viewed at The Parish of St Leonard, Hythe – sitting on the hillside above the town it is home to a crypt with 1,000 human skulls. This impressive church was built around 1090 as has many Norman features. The skulls are displayed on shelves located in four arched bays where a stack of bones measuring seven-and-a-half metres in length are also housed. It is estimated this includes 2,000 individuals.

A Developing Town

A comprehensive project has been undertaken by the Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Co. to create Shoreline, a residential development forming a collection of 84 houses and apartments that feature spectacular views out to sea and along the coast. Shoreline offers private amenities and services for all residents including balconies and gardens, as well as flexible communal space and offers a great opportunity for those looking to move to the town.

The Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Co. has also seen the development of the former branch train station transformed into a landscaped walking route connecting the Harbour Arm, Boardwalk and Viaduct.

With some trains now taking less than an hour to and from London, Folkestone is ideally positioned to have the best of both worlds – offering the chance to live in a coastal community while still having easy access to the City for workers. It also makes it a great and easily accessible location for a day out for Londoners looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of the capital.

And with the Channel Tunnel located in Folkestone, a trip across to France could not be easier, arriving in Calais within 35 minutes of leaving the town.

Arts & Culture

Folkestone’s “cultural heart”, the Creative Quarter is an urban village of designers, filmmakers, musicians, web developers and artists. Home to hundreds of creatives, you can watch artists at work, sign up for some classes, head to a café where creativity blossoms, or see bars transform into micro-performance spaces. The quarter was developed by Creative Folkestone to help regenerate the town through creativity, offering something for both locals and visitors alike. However it has not forgotten the town’s past and has respected the area’s heritage by preserving the historical buildings’ shopfronts.

The Creative Quarter is also home to the performing arts venue Folkestone Quarterhouse which offers a regular programme of theatre, comedy, music and festivals.

Why not explore the town while seeking out its local artwork? Folkestone Artworks is the UK’s largest urban outdoor exhibition of contemporary art. Download the map and you can go and discover the work of 46 artists in scenic and surprising locations, including the work of Yoko Ono, Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley and Mark Wallinger.

Meanwhile at Folkestone Museum they say you can go on a journey through the history of the town “from its origins as a humble coastal community, through to its heyday as a fashionable seaside resort and beyond”. Natural History formed the core of the original museum collection and remains an important part today, while collections also include those themed on maritime, frontline and ancient, as well as one titled ‘fashionable’ looking at the Victorian period when Folkestone became a fashionable seaside destination for high society.

Local Attractions

A visit to Folkestone Harbour Arm should be at top of your list of things to do. This unique cultural attraction, which was originally the railway terminal for the Folkestone-Boulogne ferry, opened in 2015 and it reaches out into the English Channel offering not only views of the White Cliffs, but of France on a clear day.

There you will find a growing collection of independent businesses offering food, drink and entertainment, as well the chance to enjoy live music. The first of an exciting line-up of new traders joining for the 2025 season, Folkestone Harbour has seen new tenants SIP move into the recently restored Signal Box in the historic Harbour Station. The iconic building, restored and reopened in 2018, is part of the award-winning restoration which won best overall entry at the 2023 National Railway Heritage Awards. ‘SIP at the Signal Box’ is now open and serving up some of the best Kentish produce as part of a top-quality licensed café offer in a unique heritage setting.

While at Folkestone Harbour Arm you can also enjoy the fresh sea air while being entertained as The Harbour Screen offers the chance to watch sports and films outdoors on the big screen, and for those looking for a walk there are walkways in all directions from the Harbour Arm.

On a visit to Folkestone take the chance to have a stroll along The Leas, the town’s unique clifftop promenade where you can see magnificent buildings, squares and gardens, plus a bandstand where events are held in the summer. Or head below to the Lower Leas Coastal Path which has walking and cycling trails, as well as a children’s play area and amphitheatre.

Rising high above the town are the North Downs where you can stand in awe at spectacular views of the Channel and beyond, while enjoying the landscape and wondering at the wildlife, much of which there is to enjoy as it has been designated as a site of European importance for wildlife.

A photographer’s paradise, the large shingle beach of nearby Dungeness National Nature Reserve is home to diverse wildlife and draws many a visitor each year to take in its unique beauty.

For keen cyclists there is a multi-use path stretching four miles from Folkestone to Hythe offering off-road cycling along the seafront, where you can enjoy the views and see the sights while getting some fresh air and exercise.

The nearby Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway offers a great day out for all the family running from Hythe to Romney and on to Dungeness with seven stations to stop off at. The railway also offers special events throughout the year.

Port Lympne is also well worth a visit for a family adventure like no other. It is a chance to see more than 900 rare and endangered animals. Head on safari to see free-roaming giraffes, Kent’s only spectacled bears, the UK’s largest dinosaur collection and more. With regular animal births and new species coming in every year, there’s always something different to see.

What's On in Folkestone in 2025

The visionary arts charity Creative Folkestone aims to make the town a better place to live through creative activity. As such it offers a range of activities and organises a variety of events through its five projects – Quarterhouse, Creative Quarter, Folkestone Artworks, Book Festival and Folkestone Triennial. Upcoming events at the Quarterhouse include Robert Jon & The Wreck on 1st May, Music in May Festival Grand Opening Party 2025 on 4th May, Royal Ballet & Opera: Die Walkure on 14th May, Melting Vinyl: Rich(ard) Dawson + special guests on 24th May, Jonny & The Baptists: The Happiness Index on 30th May, Viggo Venn: British Comedian on 3rd June and Melting Vinyl: Eliza Carthy (Solo) + Jennifer Reid on 21st June.

Folkestone Coastal 10k this year takes place on 25th May. The award-winning race starts at the seafront, heading on a flat route towards Hythe and back, and offers beautiful coastal scenery along the way. The event supports charitable causes and this year has teamed up with The Sports Trust.

Every Saturday and Sunday from 7th June to 14th September you can enjoy music at the Folkestone Bandstand between 2.30pm and 4.30pm arranged by Folkestone Festivals. Enjoy traditional bandstand entertainment include brass, silver and concert bands and discover a range of different genres with live music, entertainment and dance from local groups including tribute bands.

Folkestone and Ashford Military Show this year takes place on 7th and 8th June at Sellinge Showground with displays to entertain all the family as well as exhibitors and trade stalls to explore. The two-day event includes a Collectors Fair, classic cars, military vehicles and re-enactments, cadet and military displays, as well as food stalls, fun fair and music, plus steam engines.

Elham Food & Craft Festival will be held on 8th June from 11am to 2pm in the village square. Stalls include bakery, cheese, cards, craft and pet food, amongst others.

Taking place from 18th June to 19th October is the sixth edition of Folkestone Triennial which is set to bring ambitious new commissions by leading artists from around the world to public spaces throughout the town. The themes for this year’s contemporary art festival take a look far back into Folkestone’s past aiming to offer new perspectives of the town. Alongside the Triennial will be Folkestone Fringe “presenting creative activity inspired by, in reaction, and in contrast to the exhibition”.

Folkestone’s annual summer carnival – Charivari Day – will take place on 12th July starting at 2pm from The Slade. The event will see more than 800 people parade to The Leas Bandstand via the Old High Street and town centre, and will include floats, dancers and bands.

Sunny Sands will host a Sandcastle Competition on 20th July. Head to this location next to Folkestone Harbour with your bucket and spade at the ready to take part in this fun and creative event for all the family.

Returning for its fifth year at Folkestone Harbour Arm, The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever will take place on 20th July from 12noon to 6pm and will once again see people don red clothing to recreate Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights music video.

The Hawkinge Music Festival will this year see headliners Marylebone Jelly take to the stage at Hawkinge Cricket & Social Club. The event takes place on 26th July from 12noon to 10pm and will also include children’s rides, five bars, stalls, food vendors and entertainment. Other bands include Gumboots, Top Guns, Unit 48, Shingle Steppaz and DJ Kev Goodwin.

Folkestone Pride will return on 26th July, with the organisation celebrating the diversity of the local queer community, promoting tolerance, inclusion and community. The town-wide festival also represents the entire district and encourages everyone in the Folkestone and Hythe area to get involved.

Folkestone Trawler Race will be celebrating its 50th birthday weekend in 2025 on 9th and 10th August. With a trawler race, paddleboard race, fish pie competition, raft race, stall and fun fair, plus live music and more, there will be lots for all the family to enjoy during the fun-packed weekend.

The We Love Hythe Food Festival will be taking place over the August bank holiday weekend (23rd-25th August) on Hythe Green from 11am-7pm on Saturday and Sunday and 11am to 6pm on the Monday. Offering more than 70 stalls for you to explore, the event is set to celebrate the best food and drink Kent has to offer, and what’s more it is free to attend. There will also be a music stage with a great line-up of musicians.

Returning from 13th to 23rd November, the Book Festival will “once again bring together an inspiring line-up of authors, thinkers, and creatives to spark conversation, challenge ideas, and celebrate the power of books”.