Natalie’s guidebook
Sightseeing
A popular sandy beach with lifeguards on duty during busy times. There are arches under the promenade which provide shade and shelter from the elements. You can hire kayaks and paddle boards here too and it is a great place to swim and sandcastle. Just watch out for the tides though. Most of the sand is covered by sea when the tide is at its highest. There is a tide timetable in The Dairy. High tide is a good time for crabbing though and kids can play in the water fountains by the walkway.
45 locals recommend
Sunny Sands Kiosk
The StadeA popular sandy beach with lifeguards on duty during busy times. There are arches under the promenade which provide shade and shelter from the elements. You can hire kayaks and paddle boards here too and it is a great place to swim and sandcastle. Just watch out for the tides though. Most of the sand is covered by sea when the tide is at its highest. There is a tide timetable in The Dairy. High tide is a good time for crabbing though and kids can play in the water fountains by the walkway.
Wild coastline, dramatic cliffs, rocks, trees and views of France and the White Cliffs of Dover. It’s the perfect place for rock-pooling, hill scrambling and clambering, fossil-hunting and seal-spotting (we had a few regulars last summer). There is a nice walk where you can ramble along the coast at sea level, then do the massive climb back up the cliff towards the Cliff Top Cafe at Capel le Ferne and back along the cliff top for super views all the way back into Folkestone. This is about 8 miles in total.
34 locals recommend
The Warren
Wild coastline, dramatic cliffs, rocks, trees and views of France and the White Cliffs of Dover. It’s the perfect place for rock-pooling, hill scrambling and clambering, fossil-hunting and seal-spotting (we had a few regulars last summer). There is a nice walk where you can ramble along the coast at sea level, then do the massive climb back up the cliff towards the Cliff Top Cafe at Capel le Ferne and back along the cliff top for super views all the way back into Folkestone. This is about 8 miles in total.
Beautifully landscaped park situated between the The Leas Promenade and the sea. You’ll find hidden artworks, an adventure playground, sandpits, an amphitheatre, trees, lawns, meandering paths, picnic tables and bbq facilities. All with stunning views of the sea. This is a great place to explore. Don’t miss the zig zag path! This picture is NOT the Lower Leas Coastal Park, it's part of the beach at the bottom.
75 locals recommend
Lower Leas Coastal Park
Lower Sandgate RoadBeautifully landscaped park situated between the The Leas Promenade and the sea. You’ll find hidden artworks, an adventure playground, sandpits, an amphitheatre, trees, lawns, meandering paths, picnic tables and bbq facilities. All with stunning views of the sea. This is a great place to explore. Don’t miss the zig zag path! This picture is NOT the Lower Leas Coastal Park, it's part of the beach at the bottom.
Known as the key to England it’s England’s largest castle. Climb the Great Tower, immerse yourself in vivid medieval interiors. Then delve deep within Dover’s White Cliffs to witness the drama in the Secret Wartime Tunnels.
Dover Castle station
Known as the key to England it’s England’s largest castle. Climb the Great Tower, immerse yourself in vivid medieval interiors. Then delve deep within Dover’s White Cliffs to witness the drama in the Secret Wartime Tunnels.
A boutique, family-run vineyard in Kent producing natural wines produced with care and no chemicals. Book a tour and tasting which run on Saturdays by appointment and explore the vineyard, take in its stunning views and sample some still and sparkling wines with a selection of cheeses and artisan breads then tea, coffee and cake! Price is £25 pp. It’s a nice 2 mile walk back down the hill into Folkestone. Or book a cab! https://terlinghamvineyard.co.uk/vineyardwalks
07540853626.
16 locals recommend
Terlingham Vineyard
Terlingham LaneA boutique, family-run vineyard in Kent producing natural wines produced with care and no chemicals. Book a tour and tasting which run on Saturdays by appointment and explore the vineyard, take in its stunning views and sample some still and sparkling wines with a selection of cheeses and artisan breads then tea, coffee and cake! Price is £25 pp. It’s a nice 2 mile walk back down the hill into Folkestone. Or book a cab! https://terlinghamvineyard.co.uk/vineyardwalks
07540853626.
Leeds Castle
Jump on and off this miniature steam train between Hythe and Dungeness. With a miniature railway museum, two light houses and a nuclear power station. Kids LOVE it.
96 locals recommend
Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Light Railway
2 Littlestone RdJump on and off this miniature steam train between Hythe and Dungeness. With a miniature railway museum, two light houses and a nuclear power station. Kids LOVE it.
Just outside Folkestone about 10 minutes by car it houses housing thousands of pieces of memorabilia, planes and personal items of the soldiers telling their personal heroic stories. There is a cafe on sight and knowledgeable, helpful volunteers. http://www.kbobm.org
17 locals recommend
Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust
Aerodrome RoadJust outside Folkestone about 10 minutes by car it houses housing thousands of pieces of memorabilia, planes and personal items of the soldiers telling their personal heroic stories. There is a cafe on sight and knowledgeable, helpful volunteers. http://www.kbobm.org
The National Memorial to the Few is open throughout the year and is accessible on foot at any time. It’s about a 30/40 minute walk (1.5 miles uphill) from The Dairy. The Wing, which includes The Scramble Experience and The Geoffrey Page Centre as well as the shop, Cockpit café and toilets, is open from 10 am daily. The site itself, which includes the Memorial, Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall and replica Spitfire and Hurricane, is free to visit, although there is a small charge for parking. There is an admission charge for The Scramble Experience (concessions apply) – https://www.battleofbritainmemorial.org/visit/visit-the-memorial/visitor-information/
Battle of Britain Memorial station
The National Memorial to the Few is open throughout the year and is accessible on foot at any time. It’s about a 30/40 minute walk (1.5 miles uphill) from The Dairy. The Wing, which includes The Scramble Experience and The Geoffrey Page Centre as well as the shop, Cockpit café and toilets, is open from 10 am daily. The site itself, which includes the Memorial, Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall and replica Spitfire and Hurricane, is free to visit, although there is a small charge for parking. There is an admission charge for The Scramble Experience (concessions apply) – https://www.battleofbritainmemorial.org/visit/visit-the-memorial/visitor-information/
Lower Leas Coastal Park
Beautifully landscaped park situated between the The Leas Promenade and the sea. You’ll find hidden artworks, an adventure playground, sandpits, an amphitheatre, trees, lawns, meandering paths, picnic tables and bbq facilities. All with stunning views of the sea. This is a great place to explore. Don’t miss the zig zag path!
From here you can drop down to the Mermaid Cafe on mermaid beach for ice cream, food or a drink with a view of the sea to or walk up to the Leas promenade and its grande hotels, amazing views and bandstand.
6 locals recommend
The Folkestone Leas Lift
Lower Sandgate RoadLower Leas Coastal Park
Beautifully landscaped park situated between the The Leas Promenade and the sea. You’ll find hidden artworks, an adventure playground, sandpits, an amphitheatre, trees, lawns, meandering paths, picnic tables and bbq facilities. All with stunning views of the sea. This is a great place to explore. Don’t miss the zig zag path!
From here you can drop down to the Mermaid Cafe on mermaid beach for ice cream, food or a drink with a view of the sea to or walk up to the Leas promenade and its grande hotels, amazing views and bandstand.
Betteshanger
Awesome off-road cycling for everyone.
Neighborhoods
Deal
Pretty seaside town, great cafes and shops and a castle.
One of Kent's top tourist attractions, with an iconic World Heritage Site, Cathedral (currently being renovated June 2019) and ancient walled city it’s one of the most beautiful historic cities in the UK.
There is also an exciting cultural scene and great shopping and dining. There are a number of museums and tours (award-winning Canterbury Historic River Tours, which operate in the warmer months and offer rowing boat trips up and down the city’s narrow River Stour, and Canterbury Ghost Tour) and one of the city’s best loved attractions, The Canterbury Tales is an interactive exhibition featuring waxwork models and a combination of live and recorded storytelling. Regaling visitors with some of the stories from Chaucer’s famous collection of tales, the attraction brings to life medieval pilgrims on their journey to Canterbury Cathedral - the scene of Thomas Becket’s martyrdom www.canterburytales.org.uk
369 locals recommend
Canterbury
One of Kent's top tourist attractions, with an iconic World Heritage Site, Cathedral (currently being renovated June 2019) and ancient walled city it’s one of the most beautiful historic cities in the UK.
There is also an exciting cultural scene and great shopping and dining. There are a number of museums and tours (award-winning Canterbury Historic River Tours, which operate in the warmer months and offer rowing boat trips up and down the city’s narrow River Stour, and Canterbury Ghost Tour) and one of the city’s best loved attractions, The Canterbury Tales is an interactive exhibition featuring waxwork models and a combination of live and recorded storytelling. Regaling visitors with some of the stories from Chaucer’s famous collection of tales, the attraction brings to life medieval pilgrims on their journey to Canterbury Cathedral - the scene of Thomas Becket’s martyrdom www.canterburytales.org.uk
Food scene
This is part of Folkestone’s Creative Quarter and is home to a number of local artist’s studios and crafts-people as well as lots of great places to eat. A great place to eat and shop!
Some highlights include:
Marleys serve seasonal, local food in a relaxed setting.
Big Boy Burgers. If you like burgers, you’ll like these guys!
Steep Street I love this cafe: Great coffee and cakes, lots of vegan options, surrounded by books. Lots of books!
El Cortador a popular Spanish spot serving tapas. Make sure you book.
The Old High Street
The Old High StreetThis is part of Folkestone’s Creative Quarter and is home to a number of local artist’s studios and crafts-people as well as lots of great places to eat. A great place to eat and shop!
Some highlights include:
Marleys serve seasonal, local food in a relaxed setting.
Big Boy Burgers. If you like burgers, you’ll like these guys!
Steep Street I love this cafe: Great coffee and cakes, lots of vegan options, surrounded by books. Lots of books!
El Cortador a popular Spanish spot serving tapas. Make sure you book.