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Folkestone Museum

Folkestone, East Kent

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

Photo of Folkestone: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0

Folkestone Museum, in the town's neo-classical Town Hall at the bottom of Sandgate Road, traces Folkestone from the dinosaurs to the Second World War. Displays cover its days as a coastal community and fashionable seaside resort, with interactive areas for children. It is free and works well as a one or two hour visit in the town centre.

Highlights

  • Local history from the dinosaurs to the Second World War
  • Folkestone's heyday as a fashionable seaside resort
  • Interactive areas designed for children
  • Military history of the area
  • Free entry in the heart of the town

Good to know

  • Baby changing is available in the visitor toilets
  • There is no coach parking; the nearest coach park is at Folkestone Harbour

Getting there

Folkestone Museum, Town Hall, Sandgate Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 1DY

Get directions

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

Nearby

Folkestone Quarterhouse, from Creative FolkestoneImage: Creative Folkestone
Arts and cultureFolkestone · under 1 km

Folkestone Quarterhouse

Quarterhouse is a performing arts venue at the cultural heart of Folkestone, run by Creative Folkestone. Its programme mixes theatre, music, film and comedy with classes and workshops, and The Clearing café bar on the first floor is a striking spot for a drink before a show. It suits an evening out or a creative daytime session.

Ticket prices vary by event.Directions
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
BeachesFolkestone · under 1 km

Sunny Sands Beach

Sunny Sands is a sandy beach in Folkestone, and the sand here is good enough to host the town's annual sandcastle competition. Bring a bucket and spade, look out for the Folkestone Mermaid statue on the shore and pick up ice cream or fish and chips nearby. It suits families with young children and is perfect for a relaxed afternoon.

FreeDirections
Folkestone Harbour Arm, from Folkestone Harbour ArmImage: Folkestone Harbour Arm
Food and drinkFolkestone · under 1 km

Folkestone Harbour Arm

Folkestone's restored Harbour Arm is a promenade out to sea lined with independent food stalls, bars and small shops, including a champagne bar in the lighthouse. It hosts live music, film screenings and markets through the year, including a festive market before Christmas. It is free to stroll and a good base for exploring the harbour and beaches.

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