For the love of Folkestone

20 years ago when I first started coming to Folkestone for college I would never have thought that I would end up living locally, or that Folkestone would have come on so far. 

I can honestly say that whether you're a family, a couple or a single person, there's plenty to keep you amused in this seaside town.

Today we started out parking at the Leas Cliff Hall as it's only £1 for 4 hours.  From there you're in easy reach of pretty much everything.  We walked over to the Leas and down the zig zag path starting by the band stand, to the Lower Leas Coastal Park.  The path ends at the amphitheatre. Turning right from here you walk into the children's play area which boasts brilliant slides, sand pits, zip wire and lots more.  There is also a café and toilets.

However, today we turned left at the amphitheatre and walked through the other half of the Coastal Park, there are lots of paths, bridges, bbq spots, and direct access to the beach.  We joined the path onto the beach and then proceeded along the new Board Walk, a wooden path made from railway sleepers across the pebble beach.  Eventually it will link to the Harbour Arm but is unfinished at present.   

From along the sea front at this point, or from the top of the Leas, you can also see the recently retired Leas Lifts.  Originally installed in 1885 it was a fully working funicular railway up and down the cliff.  Unfortunately it closed permanently earlier this year.

After cutting back across the pebbles to the main path we ventured onto the Harbour Arm, like a pier but runs alongside the old harbour railway station.  They are working on it at the moment but it will be possible to walk along the old platform eventually, as well as walk across the old railway bridge to the other end of the harbour.  Walking along the Arm there are various eateries and a champagne bar at the end in the lighthouse.  There is live music most weekends throughout the summer.

If eating on the Arm is not to your requirements, then you can, as we have done many a time, walk back round the main harbour where there are a couple of pubs and a couple of little wooden cafes (usually only open in summer time) where you can sit and eat/drink looking over the water.

There is regularly art work to be spotted all over Folkestone.  At present there is a pink house floating amongst the boats in the harbour!  It is part of an art installation from the Folkestone Triennial which launches officially on 2nd September 2017.  The Triennial commissions acclaimed artists to create pieces for the town.  This years theme is 'double edge' and will look into ideas around a sense of place.  It runs until 5th November 2017.

The harbour also has a fountain which the children love playing in during most weathers it would seem!

Past the fountain and through the arches there are various stalls selling seafood, a gift shop, and the restaurant Rocksalt.  We walked along past all this to the sands.  A massive stretch of golden sand and when the tide is out, you can go rock pooling at the far end. 

Following a brief bit of rock pooling we made our way back along the harbour, past the fountain, and across the road where you can walk up the Old High Street to the main town centre.  Take in the quirky independent shops and cafes.  Just before you reach the top of this street, take a right into the car park, sounds strange but if you have kids, there is a brilliant slide at the side of the car park!

Moving on to the main town centre.  It has high street shops and various cafes, bars etc.  Although there is a Tesco Express and a small Sainsburys, the main supermarkets are outside the town. 

Folkestone has various bigger shops such as Home Bargains, Pets at Home, Sainsburys, The Range etc a short drive from the town centre. 

Moving along to Sandgate, we can now boast that we have 'Mudpie' pottery painting in the Golden Valley.  Just walk in, or book a table, kids parties are also popular, and paint some pottery, or make a teddy bear.  This studio also does some evenings where adults can go and learn to use a potters wheel.

Down the hill from the Golden Valley, there's easy access to the beach, and walk along to the left and you'll reach the Lower Leas Coastal Park from the opposite direction.  Sandgate High Street has a few shops such as antiques, and a few lovely little cafes.  On the beach there's 'The Boat House' which serves lunches, ice creams, coffees etc in the summer.  Sandgate also has a great fish and chip shop 'The Little Fish Shop' which has a small restaurant as well.

Well I hope I've done my best to sell Folkestone to you!

Happy exploring!

xx