Photo: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0Folkestone's harbour arm, creative quarter and clifftop walks make it one of the most rewarding stretches of the Kent coast, with Hythe and the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway nearby.
Photo of Folkestone: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0Kingsnorth Gardens is a formal town park close to Folkestone town centre, laid out in 1928 in a blend of Oriental, Italian and English styles. Wander past ornamental ponds, statues and seasonal bedding, then sit beneath the great weeping ash at its centre. It suits a quiet stroll or a picnic stop and needs about an hour.
Photo of Folkestone: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0Radnor 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.
Photo of Folkestone: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0Lower Leas Coastal Park is an award-winning linear park between Folkestone and Sandgate, created on land formed by a huge landslip in 1784. Children love the south east's largest free adventure playground, while the amphitheatre hosts free summer events and the formal gardens and wilder undercliff suit a gentle walk. Plan two to three hours.
Image: Leas Cliff HallLeas Cliff Hall is a live entertainment and events venue on Folkestone's Leas, open since 1927, with clifftop views over the English Channel. Its Grand Hall hosts tribute acts, comedy, concerts and an annual family pantomime, and the venue also runs weddings, parties and The Leas Shelter coffee shop. Come for an evening show or the Christmas panto.
Photo of Folkestone: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0Folkestone 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.
Image: Creative FolkestoneQuarterhouse 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.
Photo of Folkestone: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0Sunny 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.
Image: Folkestone Harbour ArmFolkestone'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.
Image: Kent Downs National LandscapeFolkestone 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.
Image: Folkestone Harbour ArmFolkestone Harbour Arm's festive market runs on weekends from mid November and every day in the final week before Christmas, with stalls along the harbour and its food and drink traders. It opens with the Christmas lights switch-on on Friday 13 November. After Christmas, Crimbo Limbo keeps things going from 26 December to 3 January.
Image: Leas Cliff HallLeas Cliff Hall is a live entertainment and events venue on Folkestone's Leas, open since 1927, with clifftop views over the English Channel. Its Grand Hall hosts tribute acts, comedy, concerts and an annual family pantomime, and the venue also runs weddings, parties and The Leas Shelter coffee shop. Come for an evening show or the Christmas panto.
Photo of Folkestone: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0Folkestone 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.
Image: Creative FolkestoneQuarterhouse 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.
Photo of Folkestone: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0Kingsnorth Gardens is a formal town park close to Folkestone town centre, laid out in 1928 in a blend of Oriental, Italian and English styles. Wander past ornamental ponds, statues and seasonal bedding, then sit beneath the great weeping ash at its centre. It suits a quiet stroll or a picnic stop and needs about an hour.
Photo of Folkestone: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0Radnor 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.
Photo of Folkestone: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0Lower Leas Coastal Park is an award-winning linear park between Folkestone and Sandgate, created on land formed by a huge landslip in 1784. Children love the south east's largest free adventure playground, while the amphitheatre hosts free summer events and the formal gardens and wilder undercliff suit a gentle walk. Plan two to three hours.