Once a Victorian holiday resort, Folkestone is a vibrant town and cultural hub on the Kent coast. Explore its art and food scene in the Creative Quarter and along the Harbour Arm. Or, revisit its military past with a trip to the Battle of Britain Memorial and Kent Battle of Britain Museum. There's also plenty of beautiful coastal walks that offer sweeping views across the English Channel.
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- Folkestone
Itinerary details
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Folkestone
Once a Victorian holiday resort, Folkestone is a vibrant town and cultural hub on the Kent coast. Explore its art and food scene in the Creative Quarter and along the Harbour Arm. Or, revisit its military past with a trip to the Battle of Britain Memorial and Kent Battle of Britain Museum. There's also plenty of beautiful coastal walks that offer sweeping views across the English Channel.
Folkestone Walking & Cycling Routes
North Downs Way: Head onto the Folkestone Downs from Folkestone Warren Nature Reserve and follow a section of the North Downs Way. Turning down Elvington Lane (before the Folkestone White Horse) takes you towards Hawkinge for the Kent Battle of Britain Museum and Terlingham Vineyard.
Folkestone to Dover Walk: Head along the clifftops (passing the Battle of Britain Memorial) towards Dover harbour on this 9-mile (14.4km) linear trail.
Alternatively, why not follow a section of the King Charles III England Coast Path and head towards Hythe on this 6-mile (9.65km) Hythe to Folkestone: Art & Nostalgia linear trail.
North Downs WayFolkestone to Dover Walk: Two Harbours WalkHythe to Folkestone: Art & Nostalgia
Folkestone Creative Quarter
Explore the Creative Quarter in the old high street and learn about the arty culture of this seaside town. You can also visit Folkestone Artworks, the UK’s largest urban contemporary art exhibition, its free and accessible 24 hours a day all year around. Sited outdoors around the town and harbour, the changing exhibition currently consisting of 91 artworks.
Folkestone Artworks
Folkestone Museum
Step back in time and discover Folkestone’s history, from a small coastal community to its heyday as a fashionable seaside resort. With exhibitions and interactive displays covering Folkestone’s Roman and prehistoric past, its maritime heritage and its role in WWII, it’s an ideal stop for exploring Folkestone’s history.
Entry to this museum is free.
Accessibility: Accessible for wheelchair users with a lift to get between floors | Dogs: Only assistance dogs are allowed
Folkestone Museum
Folkestone Harbour Arm
Originally a railway station and ferry terminal, Folkestone Harbour Arm is now a hub for eateries and entertainment. Admire the views from the promenade, grab something to eat from the kiosks along the Arm or play a game of mini golf on the beach.
Directions: Buses run to Marine Parade from Folkestone Central Train Station (Stagecoach 102 and 103 services between Folkestone and Lydd).
Accessibility: Mostly accessible for wheelchair users via ramps, the boardwalk is not accessible | Dogs: Dogs allowed but must be on leads
Folkestone Harbour Arm
The Goods Yard
Enjoy a range of global cuisines from a variety of independent street food and drinks vendors in this food plaza and events space. You can also sit back and watch a film or sports event on the Harbour Screen.
Directions: Buses run to Marine Parade from Folkestone Central Train Station (Stagecoach 102 and 103 services between Folkestone and Lydd).
Accessibility: Accessible for wheelchair users | Dogs: Dogs allowed but must be on leads
The Goods Yard
Docker Bakery
Known for its solely plant-based products, Docker Bakery is a local Kent business that specialises in sourdough breads and pastries. Now with two stores, one in Folkestone and one in Ashford, Docker Bakery makes freshly baked goods each morning for home deliveries and instore.
Docker Bakery
Battle of Britain Memorial
Visit the memorial site which honours the pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain during WWII. See the full-size replicas of the Hurricane and Spitfire planes, or experience what it was like for the pilots with The Scramble Experience in The Wing visitor centre.
Directions: Buses run to Capel from Folkestone (Stagecoach 104 and 105 service between Dover and Hythe).
Accessibility: Accessible for wheelchair users with access to the second floor of The Wing via lift | Dogs: Only assistance dogs are allowed in The Wing, the rest of the site is dog-friendly but they must be on leads
Battle of Britain Memorial
Folkestone White Horse
Pass the Folkestone White Horse, a large chalk hill figure cut into the hillside in the shape of a horse that overlooks the English terminal of the Channel Tunnel.
Directions: Follow a section of the Saxon Shore Way from Folkestone Warren Nature Reserve to Cheriton Hill where the Folkestone White Horse is carved into the hillside below.
Folkestone White Horse
Kent Battle of Britain Museum
Discover the largest Battle of Britain memorabilia, with recovered items from over 700 crashed aircraft. Explore the hangars which hold full-sized replicas of Hurricane and Spitfire planes, visit the armoury with its collection of original RAF and Luftwaffe uniforms, and view a replica of a V-1 bomb.
Directions: Buses run to Hawkinge Aerodrome Road (opposite the Kent Battle of Britain Museum) from Folkestone (Stagecoach 16 service en route to Canterbury).
Accessibility: Accessible for wheelchair users | Dogs: Only assistance dogs are allowed
Kent Battle of Britain Museum
The Folkestone Distillery
Take a tour of the distillery to see how the gins and rum are made, followed by a blind guided tasting of some of their gins. Alternatively, visit the taproom and sample some of their latest and classic spirits.
The Folkestone Distillery
Terlingham Vineyard
Try some sparkling and still wines from this family-run vineyard, located on the North Downs. Take a tour of the vineyard and enjoy a wine tasting with views over the English Channel.
Directions: Buses run to Hawkinge from Folkestone (Stagecoach 16 service en route to Canterbury).
Terlingham Vineyard
Kingsnorth Gardens
Stroll through these formal gardens, a mix of Italianate, Oriental and English styles, located in the centre of town. Pause on one of the many benches and enjoy the rose garden and formal ponds.
Accessibility: Accessible for wheelchair users with surfaced paths | Dogs: Dogs allowed but must be on leads
Kingsnorth Gardens
Lower Leas Coastal Park
Split into three zones: formal, fun and wild, Lower Leas Coastal Park offers something for everyone. From gardens and pine avenues to adventure play parks and the ever-popular Amphitheatre, there’s plenty to see and do.
Accessibility: Accessible for wheelchair users with wide hard-surfaced paths | Dogs: Dogs are welcome
Lower Leas Coastal Park
Folkestone Warren Nature Reserve
Formed by a series of landslips, Folkestone Warren is an area of cliff, coast, woodland and grassland that offers views of the White Cliffs. The beach is one of the best places in Britain to find fossils and the rockpools can be explored at low tide.
Accessibility: The ground is uneven with steep slopes | Dogs: Dogs allowed but must be on leads
Folkestone Warren Nature Reserve
Folkestone Downs
Part of the North Downs, the Folkestone Downs offer sweeping views over the town and the English Channel. The area is made up of a number of hills including Castle Hill, Sugarloaf Hill, Round Hill and Cheriton Hill.
The North Downs Way passes along the top making it ideal for walking or cycling.
Accessibility: The ground is unsurfaced with narrow paths | Dogs: Dogs allowed but must be on leads
Folkestone Downs
Folkestone Beaches
Head to the beach and enjoy watching the waves come in. Folkestone Beach is made up of pebbles and connects the Lower Leas Coastal Park and the Harbour Arm via a wooden boardwalk.
For a sandy beach, head to the other side of the marina to get to Sunny Sands.
Directions: Buses run to Marine Parade from Folkestone Central Train Station (Stagecoach 102 and 103 services between Folkestone and Lydd).
Dogs: Dog restrictions apply
Folkestone BeachSunny SandsTravel
Train – Folkestone Central and Folkestone West train stations are located in the centre of town and are within walking distance of many of the points of interest.
Bus – Stagecoach runs bus services between Folkestone and Dover.
Cycle Parking – There are cycle parking stands at Folkestone Central and Folkestone West train stations.
Remember you can take your bike on any Southeastern train unless the train arrives or departs London during peak hours – but you can take a fold up bike anytime.
Plan your journeys in Folkestone town centre using the Folkestone Active Travel Town Map.
Opening Times & Dates
Opening times of the various things to see and do mentioned in this itinerary vary throughout the year. Please check public transport times and individual attractions’ websites before you visit. Always check availability and book ahead for tours.