🌊 Seaside Calm and Coastal Charm - A Trip to Folkestone

Our first visit to Folkestone turned out to be much more than a quiet seaside day. It's a town that mixes coastal views with a strong sense of history - from the old Harbour Arm, once a busy port, now lined with cafés and food stalls, to the Leas Promenade, where you can walk above the cliffs and (as I was told by a local!) can see France on a clear day.

The whole place feels scenic. Fishing boats, old railway arches turned into shops, pastel houses, and sea air. The historic side shows up everywhere too in the war memorials, the old harbor station, and narrow lanes that I like to imagine still look like they did decades ago.

People were along the pier fishing. It made the whole place feel relaxed and local, not overly touristy despite the crowds. It was really busy when we visited, but we still easily found a quiet spot. The whole town is practically bordered by beach, so there's plenty of space to wander or just sit by the water.

We walked about 25 mins to the White Cliffs and it was wonderful (took 40 mins on the way back because we were so tired!), and picked some fresh blackberries on the way there. We also wandered through the Creative Quarter and stopped for some fish and chips at a small restaurant overlooking the sea.

Some of my quick tips if you plan on visiting:

🗺 Walk the full Harbour Arm for sea views and great local food.
🎨 Visit the Creative Quarter for small galleries and independent shops.
🌅 The Leas Promenade offers the best panoramic views, especially at sunset.
🏫 If you're a history lover, definitely stop by the Harbour Station Memorial and Martello Tower.
🚉 Easy train trip from London St. Pancras, change at Ashford International, then direct to Folkestone Central. Pretty much everything is within walking distance from the train station.

It's not a town that's famous or large, but, my goodness, is it beautiful! It's got its own mix of art, history, and sea views that makes it well worth the trip.

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Post by EmeraldSkies | Oct 18, 2025