Discovering Folkestone

Looking for a perfect day trip from London that combines stunning coastal views, rich history, and vibrant culture? Look no further than Folkestone! Just a quick train ride away, this charming seaside town offers a unique blend of artistic flair and natural beauty by the coast. Pack your bags, grab your partner, and hop on a train – Folkestone is waiting to surprise you!

Start your day trip to Folkestone

If you’re only staying for one day in Folkestone, we highly recommend following our itinerary: start your trip early in the morning.

• 8:04 am – Departure from London St Pancras

Take the Southeastern high-speed train from London St Pancras to Folkestone Central. The journey takes around 55 minutes. For us, travelling by train is not only convenient but also comfortable. It’s a smooth ride, and we can maximise our time by reading a book or simply relaxing.

Tip: We paid £54.30 for two adults (open return journey), while the normal price is £82.40. We purchased our tickets from the Trainline website, and since we have a Two Together Railcard, we got a great discount. The Railcard costs just £30 per year (that’s £15 each), and you’ll both enjoy 1/3 off rail fares when you travel together. Who doesn’t love discounts?

⭐Click here to book your tickets⭐

Exploring Folkestone: From cozy coffee shops to seafront walks and historic highlights

1. The best breakfast spot

• 9:01 am – You’ve just arrived at Folkestone Central

Although it was a short trip, it’s time for some food and coffee. If you read already our latest article about our favourite coffee shops, you’ll know how integral coffee culture is to our daily lives. In Folkestone, there’s no excuse to skip it!

We discovered an amazing coffee spot called Steep Street Coffee House. It’s about a 20 minute walk or an 8 minute taxi ride from the station.

If you’re a book lover, Steep Street Coffee House will be heaven for you! The walls are lined with books, creating a cozy and intellectually stimulating environment where you and your partner can enjoy a perfect cup of coffee, and maybe even grab a book for a quick read 🙂

Conveniently located in Folkestone’s Creative Quarter, this coffee shop is the perfect starting point for a day of exploration.

After breakfast, we strolled down the Old High Street, wandering around and admiring the colorful buildings, nearby galleries, and shops. Most of the shops were still closed when we left the coffee shop, as many places open after 10:00. You can always come back to this area later – we did that a few times throughout the day.

2. Folkestone Harbour Arm

Once you reach Harbour Street, you can easily walk to the Harbour Arm. Folkestone Harbour Arm has a rich and fascinating history that mirrors the evolution of the city itself.

A glimpse into the past: The Harbour Arm was built in the XIX century to provide a safe haven for ships and to facilitate trade and transport. It played a significant role during World War I, as thousands of troops passed through Folkestone on their way to the battlefields of France and Belgium. During World War II, the Harbour continued to be used for military operations and evacuations.

In recent years: The Folkestone Harbour Arm has undergone a remarkable transformation.

Nowadays: The Harbour Arm is a bustling destination for locals and tourists alike. It hosts a variety of food stalls, pop-up restaurants, bars, and cafes, offering diverse culinary delights. The space is also used for events, live music, and art installations, making it a cultural hotspot.

3. Walk along the seafront

After visiting Folkestone Harbour, we continued our walk along the promenade. The weather was perfect, and it wasn’t crowded at all – unlike places like Whitstable or Brighton, which tend to be much busier. We leisurely strolled along the beaches, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

We walked along Mermaid Beach and Folkestone Beach, nearly reaching Sandgate Beach. This walk took about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on your pace.

The beaches on this side are gravel, but on the other side of the Harbour, you’ll find Sunny Sands Beach. Just bear in the mind that it is more crowded.

Our tip: Take your time! Make the most of this opportunity to relax with your partner. We’re so used London’s fast pace and the demands of daily life that it can be difficult to disconnect. But we managed to do just that – disconnect from daily stress, have meaningful conversations, and spend quality time together.

4. The Lower Leas Coastal Park

After walking along the seafront, you can stroll through the Lower Leas Coastal Park. This park, situated between Folkestone and Sandgate, is home to the largest free adventure play area in the South East. It offers beautiful gardens and scenic walking trails along the coast.

5. The Zig Zag path

After exploring the park, you must take the scenic Zig Zag path up to The Leas Promenade. Head toward the eastern end of the park, near Leas Cliff Hall, where you’ll see signs for the Zig Zag Path.

Once you find the Zig Zag Path, start making your way up. The path isn’t long, and although it involves some uphill walking, we found it very accessible. As you stroll along the path, you’ll pass through beautifully landscaped gardens and rock formations, offering stunning views of the English Channel and the surrounding landscape.

6. Leas Cliff Hall

Leas Cliff Hall is located just a short distance from the top of the Zig Zag Path, approximately a 5 minute walk away. This historic hall serves as a premier venue for a variety of cultural and social events and, on top of that, offers stunning views of the English Channel.

We encourage you to do the same as we did – head up to Leas Cliff Hall and enjoy the view from there!

Fun fact: Leas Cliff Hall hosts a wide range of events, including concerts, theater productions, comedy shows, dance performances, and conferences. The venue is known for its versatile space, accommodating everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale events.

What’s on Folkestone

We explored most of the highlights mentioned above in the morning since we arrived early in Folkestone. However, don’t feel pressured to follow the same schedule. You can always explore some of these spots in the morning and leave the rest for the afternoon.

You might even want to return to Leas Cliff Hall later to check out what events are taking place.

⭐Click here to explore Folkestone events⭐

Lunch O’ clock in Folkestone

Folkestone offers a diverse range of dining options to suit various tastes and budgets. We were really in the mood for seafood, but there are different types of restaurants around if that’s not your preference.

After checking out a few places (some of which require reservations), we decided to go to “Shesells Seashells”– a fun name, right?

This family-run business is located at Platform 3 of Folkestone Harbour Arm, and they have an outdoor area. We found it to be a very relaxed environment, the perfect spot to enjoy delicious seafood and a glass of wine while taking in the views of the Folkestone coastline. The staff is also very friendly.

⭐Click here to explore Shesells Seashells website⭐

However if you are looking into seafood or oysters – we would say that Whistable is the best spot for it! Click here to have a look into our Whistable article.

Chilling in the afternoon

In the afternoon, we just wandered around and relaxed. We took a walk along the beach, read our books, and even took a quick nap! Especially after lunch, our bodies tend to enter “energy saving mode.” And, of course, you can also go for a swim.

There are also some great hikes in Folkestone. We didn’t get a chance to do any this time, but we’ll definitely explore them when we return to Folkestone.

⭐Click here to explore their website⭐

Embrace the coastal charm of Folkestone

Just a short and convenient train ride away, this charming town offers a unique blend of artistic flair and natural beauty that will captivate you from the moment you arrive 🙂

So why wait? Pack your bags, grab your partner, and hop on a train to Folkestone. This delightful seaside escape is ready to surprise and enchant you. Make unforgettable memories, reconnect with each other, and find yourself in this beautiful coastal gem. Folkestone is waiting for you!

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