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Folkestone Downs

Folkestone, East Kent

Folkestone Downs, from Kent Downs National LandscapeImage: Kent Downs National Landscape

Image: Kent Downs National Landscape

Folkestone Downs is 72 hectares of steep chalk hills above Folkestone, including Castle Hill, Sugarloaf Hill, Round Hill and Cheriton Hill. Climb for huge views over the town and Channel, trace the earthworks of a Norman motte-and-bailey fort and look for butterflies and orchids. It suits walkers with good footwear and a couple of hours.

Highlights

  • Panoramic views over Folkestone and the Channel
  • Norman earthworks on Castle Hill
  • The Folkestone White Horse chalk figure, best seen from below
  • Adonis blue butterflies and chalk grassland orchids
  • North Downs Way National Trail

Good to know

  • Access to the White Horse slope is restricted to protect the habitat
  • Watch for grazing livestock and steep muddy slopes

Getting there

Folkestone Downs, Folkestone Downs, Folkestone, Kent, CT18 7AB

Get directions

Checked on 15 October 2026 against kentdowns.org.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check

Nearby

Kent Battle of Britain Museum, from Kent Battle of Britain MuseumImage: Kent Battle of Britain Museum
MuseumsHawkinge · 2 km

Kent Battle of Britain Museum

The Kent Battle of Britain Museum on the former RAF Hawkinge airfield holds what it calls the world's largest Battle of Britain collection, with artefacts from over 700 crashed aircraft. Explore hangars, the armoury and original airfield buildings, then the aircraft displayed in the grounds. It suits families with older children and aviation fans, and deserves two to three hours.

£10 to £25Directions
The Folkestone Mermaid statue on Sunny Sands beach, with the harbour and white cliffs beyondPhoto of Folkestone: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0
OutdoorsFolkestone · 2 km

Creteway Down

Creteway Down is open chalk downland above Folkestone with sweeping views across the town and the Channel. Walk the North Downs Way along the crest, look for orchids on the protected grassland and find the Coccoliths sculpture on the Chalk and Channel Way. It suits walkers and cyclists with an hour or two to spare.

FreeDirections
The Folkestone Mermaid statue on Sunny Sands beach, with the harbour and white cliffs beyondPhoto of Folkestone: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0
OutdoorsFolkestone · 2 km

Radnor Park Folkestone

Radnor Park is a Victorian town park opposite Folkestone Central station, given to the town by the Earl of Radnor in 1886. The upper park has open lawns and two modern play areas, while the lower park is quieter with ponds and space for wildlife. It suits families with young children and dog walkers for an hour or two.

FreeDirections