Folkestone, in Kent, has grown to become a surprisingly sturdy and exciting base for me. I would even dare to say it feels like home now. But it’s funny to think that barely a year ago I hadn't even heard of it, as perhaps neither have you.
But since moving here I've fallen in love with the up-and-coming coastal town. In this blog post, I'll go into detail about how and why I moved to Kent and 5 reasons Folkestone is the best place to live.
The Creative Quarter. Photo credit: Creative Folkestone
Why Folkestone?
I get this question, why did I choose to move to Folkestone the answer is rather strange because I didn't. I didn't really plan to move here, it sort of just happened (perhaps by fate).
The backstory. I was a Londoner living in Barcelona, Spain, with plans to move back to London. My parents (who now live in Kingsdown, Kent - near Deal) had heard Folkestone had a growing art scene and was becoming a trendy spot. They recommended I check it out when I was struggling to find a place to rent in competitive and overpriced London.
I decided to follow my parent’s advice - a rare occasion! - and alas, I was able to find a fairly nice shared flat, easily. I packed my bags, booked my flight, and moved over. More so with the idea of it being a stepping stone, a temporary stay while I found a flat in London. But as I got to know Folkestone and built a community of friends, the thought of moving back to London became more and more distant and unattractive.
Sunny Sands beach, Folkestone
What and where is Folkestone?
Just under an hour away from London on the convenient high-speed train lies Folkestone. It's a seaside town with a population of around 50,000 people.
This corner of the world is famous for its natural wonders, like the iconic White Cliffs of Dover - only 20 minutes drive away from Folkestone.
Folkestone is a popular choice for day-trippers to fellow DFLs - this stands for Down From London and is the token term given to someone who's moved out of the city to live in southern England - moving down in hopes of a better quality of life. Can you blame them?
Folkestone’s up-and-coming-ness is not going unnoticed by the media either, magazines like Harpers Bazaar have named it one of Kent's most underestimated seaside towns. And I even read an article about Folkestone in National Geographic the other day, emphasising that the momentum behind Folkestone as a destination seems as sure as the tide.
It’s reassuring to see it’s not just me who is impressed with its cobbled roads, colourful buildings, coastal grace and buzzing atmosphere. But I suppose it's a bit different to visit Folkestone for a day than it is to live here.
So without further fuss, and after much thought, here are my top five favourite things about living in Folkestone:
- The stunning coastline, surrounding nature & the sun
- The booming art scene
- The generous range of cafes, bars & restaurants
- Location, location, location
- Folkie & its people keep it real
Views to Mermaid Beach from The Leas
1. The stunning coastline, surrounding nature & the sun
Folkestone itself has its fair share of impressive local landscapes and beaches. For instance, you can find both sandy and pebble beaches which look over and across to France. Check out my blog on 10 Beaches to visit on the Kent Riviera for more beach info in the area.
And in addition to that, Folkestone is one of the sunniest spots in England. Living under a bright blue sunny sky most days of the year is a life-changer. You really can't get this weather anywhere else in England.
Sunny Sands Beach is a local favourite. And it's just that, a sunny and sandy beach. It's only a few minutes walk down from the creative quarter and the town centre, at the eastern end of the Folkestone Harbour.
The beach gets very popular in summer, especially at the weekends, due to being one of the closest sandy beaches to London. However, year-round it's an impressive beach and very much worth a visit. Dogs are not allowed on the beach between 1st May to 30th September, but out of season it's an ideal dog-walking beach.
If you follow the coastline along Sunny Sands you will arrive at the East Cliff and its three Martello towers - built in Napoleonic times as part of the south coast defence system - these also mark the entrance to The Warren.
The Warren is a nature park with paths winding through woodland and spectacular views of the chalk cliffs and out to sea.
On the opposite side of town, there’s Mermaid Beach. You can walk or cycle there by following the zig-zag path down from the Leas - Folkestone's unique clifftop promenade. It's a lovely walk through the coastal park with views of the sea. There's also a parking lot if you're driving.
Down at the beach, you will find a lovely sheltered shingle beach. It's pretty wide and has a beautiful clear crystal clear sea, thanks to the pebbles. It is a favourite for local swimmers and paddle board enthusiasts year round.
Swimming shoes are a must though. Conveniently, there’s also Mermaid Café, perfect for getting ice cream or for using their facilities.
2. The booming art scene
A recent addition to the Old High Street is the Folkestone Art Gallery which opened in 2022 and features mostly local artists (like myself). The space is impressive in itself too. You can find the gallery on the old high street in the Creative Quarter, it is worth a visit - warning be prepared to leave with at least a few quirky cards, you won't be able to resist picking a few up.
Additionally, Folkestone is also a great spot for brushing up on your art skills or learning new ones. For instance, I’ve been taking live sketching classes and art history classes at The Cube, a Kent Adult Education centre.
The Cube is equipped with a jewellery-making room, art studios, an IT suite, and a variety of classrooms for our many other subjects including Languages, Creative Writing and History. I love how I can appreciate and support other artists as well as have the opportunities to pursue my creative passions and interests... As an artist and as an art lover I couldn’t ask for more.
Fun fact, I moved here without knowing anyone or much about the art scene. However, over time I have been able to make useful contacts, get to know local artists and enjoy their work through exhibitions, workshops, and over drinks. I’ve also grown as an artist and have had my own exhibition. Click here for pics :)
3. The generous range of cafes, bars & restaurants
In a small coastal town, you might think the go-to is fish and chips, and that is not untrue in Folkestone, but there is also a generous range of cafes, bars and restaurants to choose from.
Check out this blog post for more info on exploring Folkestone with a "Foodie Crawl" or keep reading for some of my personal fave spots around town.
Photo by Tyronne Jones on Unsplash
For a buzzing seaside atmosphere head to the Harbour Arm, Folkestone's restored promenade, it's out at sea with views to the coast and cliffs. Formerly a ferry port it's now become a hipstery hub for food, drink, shops and entertainment.
The high street and the Old High Street also have some of my favourite spots like Folklore - a good bet for a coffee or a £5 cocktail on a Wednesday night - or Marleys - a restaurant serving up dishes with Kentish products and at affordable prices. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, the food is really good regardless of the day or the time. I also like to pop in just for a drink and love loveeee their sparkling Kentish white wine Bacchus.
Folkestone Harbour has even more to offer. There’s the stylish and more upmarket Rocksalt restaurant. It sits on top of the harbour looking down at the sea. The views are beautiful.
In the Summer I went for lunch to celebrate my first year anniversary with Danny. It was a hot, bright day with blue skies, which paired perfectly with the most refreshing wine from Romania - it surprised me how good it was as I didn’t know anything about Romanian wine! The dishes are created with local seasonal Kentish ingredients. Indeed, dining there is a memorable experience.
For a night out, bar hopping is the name of the game. I would recommend starting at The Pullman's beer garden or The Old Buoy on Tontine Street, a Belgian Bar, with an excellent beer selection. I love how you will find people of all ages and backgrounds having a good time, the atmosphere is always joyful. Other bars worth visiting include The Chambers for live music or Beer Shop - a small but always fun and lively spot.
Photo Credit:More honourable mentions:
Cafés
The little place next door (brunch - featured in the photo below)
Steep street cafe
Brew
Food
Big Boys (burgers)
The Radnor Arms (roasts)
Market Square (lunch)
Lucky Chip (burgers)
Sotirio’s (Greek)
Annapurna (Nepalese)
Aspendos (Turkish)
Fish & chips at Sandy’s (harbour)
Bars
The Bouverie tap
The Harbour inn
4. Location, location, location
Folkestone has a great location with plenty of towns and spots to explore around it.
Folkestone is also conveniently just under an hour away from central London by train. So going into London is easy and fast, however, it can be a bit pricey. For instance, return train tickets are around £50.
I must highlight a big benefit of not moving to London has been the amount of money I have saved on rent, as well as getting more value for money with the property options here.
Hythe, neighbouring Folkestone, is also a seaside town worth checking out. It's also having its restaurant boom at the moment with loads of new spots popping up.
If you like to walk, head inland from Hythe to check out the animal sanctuaries, and down the canal into the beautiful quintessential English countryside.
Further along the coast, there are even exciting towns to explore, like colourful oyster capital Whitstable, artsy Margate with the Turner Contemporary, and Broadstairs - also known as the “jewel in Thanet’s crown”.
Legendary Canterbury is also a short drive away from the coast and is one of the most historic towns in the UK.
I also recommend checking out charming Sandwich, a quintessential English town with spooky alleyways (“Holy Ghost” alley), cosy pubs, and houses with names like “Witches Brew”.
Another big personal benefit has been to be able to spend more time with my parents. They moved back to England after more than 20 years of living abroad and it's great to not only live in the same country again but also to be only a 30 minute train ride away.
5. Folkie & its people keep it real
Some parts of Folkestone are postcard-perfect but don’t get me wrong, Folkestone is not all pretty beach scenery and cute cobbled streets. And that's okay.
For instance, if you walk a few streets away from the centre you’ll find yourself in a place you might not want to be caught walking around at night by yourself, or even in the daytime if we're being honest.
There is a clear mix of the coastal town Folkestone used to be, where it's still a little rundown, and where it’s going. But I think this current middle ground of where it finds itself right now is very special. It’s cute and fun, but also gritty, affordable and real.
Over the last 10 years, Folkestone has undergone a substantial transformation, and it has sparked debates if it’s been successful in creating genuine regeneration or if there are hints of gentrification.
My perspective is that of an outsider, one who was attracted by the cheap rent and better lifestyle, but London-esque shops, food spots and nightlife.
In all honesty, I probably wouldn't have even considered Folkestone a place to visit and much less live in if it wasn’t for the Creative Quarter and the variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. So, maybe that means the transformation is working?
Nowadays, the locals are a mix of people. There are those who are Folkestone-born and bred and there are the newcomers, who are mostly DFLs (Down from London). A DFL usually is someone who's come down to buy a property and start a family. Or people like myself who are young(ish) professionals trying to chase a better lifestyle than London has to offer.
I must count myself lucky to be experiencing Folkestone as it is right now - this might well indeed be Folkestone's golden era. I could imagine in the future it will keep gaining and gaining popularity, rent prices will continue to increase and it might no longer be the welcoming town to those who are looking for a fun and slower paced life next to the sea.
But for the time being, people are still mostly welcoming and friendly. I’ve been able to meet lovely people and made good friends and connections.
Thanks to events on Meet Up and other initiatives it’s fairly easy to meet people. But maybe this is also due to the slower pace of life which reflects in the locals, and oneself.
To sum up…
Without a doubt, Folkestone has gained its prize as one of the most stunning, fun and charming coastal towns in Kent.
A visit is recommended to see for yourself the different beaches, nature, and the Creative Quarter, check out the many galleries or have a meal and a glass of Kentish wine (or various) in a local venue and get chatting with the locals. Hey, it might even make you want to DFL too.
Follow on Instagram for more pics and tips! If you have any questions or would like to reach out feel free to send me a DM too :)
Hi Matilda,
This is so good. So glad you have settled so well.
Look forward to seeing you down there.
Jo Raschen