This town’s creative spirit is matched by its heritage charm. From delicious bakeries, hipster bars and restaurants to quirky boutiques, every corner feels proudly local and full of personality. Here’s what I discovered when I stayed in the sandy seaside town of Folkestone in Kent.

The beach 

There are six beaches in Folkestone, but the one I resisted the most was the secluded Sunny Sands. This area was absolutely beautiful and peaceful. My favourite part was sitting on the brick wall above and watching the icy blue waves crashing in.

Many people had their friendly dogs roaming free, running across the sand and near the water, and it was such a freeing sight to witness. It was incredibly cold, and the wind was abusing my face, but it was worth every minute, sitting there at peace.

There was something weirdly spiritual about the water, but especially in Folkestone. Popular seaside resorts such as Brighton don’t really offer the same feeling of relaxation and tranquillity.

High Street full of Independent shops

I really enjoyed exploring the town, with its rolling hills that offered South of France-esque views, featuring palm trees and colourful buildings. But what I loved most was seeing what the locals had for sale.

Folkestone has a bustling high street with an array of local independent businesses, including clothing stores, game shops, classic pubs and cafes. This section is called the Creative Quarter, “a true symbol of the regeneration of the town,” said Folkstone and Hythe

The town is surprisingly very artsy and quirky. The quarter is said to hold an “inspiring community of designers, filmmakers, musicians, web developers and artists around the 115 studios and offices and over 50 shops, as well as around 80 flats, making the area a playground for creative and digital businesses.” 

In the end, I ended up taking home thrifted bags and jewellery, anime and comic book merchandise (who would have thought?), and little knick-knacks for around my room.

The unique railway

In the middle of the harbour is a long, non-functioning railway station, which was fascinating and rather fun to walk across. According to Folkestone Harbour Seafront, the station platforms come as part of the renovation of the Harbour Arm and its heritage structures.

The once-running Folkestone Harbour station opened in 1850, with a steep branch line running down from the main station to the harbour, linking trains with boats to Boulogne and Calais. After duty-free sales ended in 1999, the ferry service from Folkestone shut down in September 2000, removing the main reason for the harbour branch line’s operation.

The opening of the nearby Channel Tunnel also reduced the need for the traditional ferry-to-train service, leading to the line being officially closed in 2014. The station was then fenced off and fell into disrepair.

However, the station was then repaired and reopened in spring 2018. The platforms, where people used to wait for trains, are now covered spots to rest, sit, and take in the view.

Speaking on the development of the station, a spokesperson for the company shared: “When the Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company took possession of the harbour buildings, it was clear that very little of the original 1850 station structure remained.

“Even though the physical structure lacked authenticity, we realised that the existence of a station on the Harbour Arm had been integral to the successful development of Folkestone. It was interlaced with layers of history, making it an important piece of the town’s story.”

London-style activities

Once we walked down the platform, we followed the arrow, which led us to the “Goods Yard.” Here, we found what felt like a small version of London’s Boxpark. 

This was a pleasant surprise, as for most of our visit, we were spending time with locals who were surely retired, but the Goods Yard had mostly young adults, teens and families. Just like in London, the area had a big screen playing family films at the time and was lined with rows of eateries and bars.

The eateries include Little Rock and Rocksalt, which offer locally sourced seafood with sea views. You can also find fresh fish dishes at Chummys.

According to FolkeLife,  Plamil Foods produces plant-based milks and vegan chocolate, and El Cortador serves Spanish tapas. For drinks, you can get craft beer at Brewing Brothers, while the Potting Shed offers lively spots.

My recommended place to eat 

Throughout my visit, the best thing I experienced was indeed the food. Away from the harbour, my favourite food spot is the Blackmarket on Tontine Street. This local bar serves delicious burgers, wings and alcohol and sometimes features live music.

The aesthetics inside were incredible, featuring a diverse array of pictures, artwork, words, flags, and symbols. It is super edgy, but welcomes all people of all ages and personalities. I ordered a burger with blue cheese, chorizo and crispy onions, which I dream about to this day. 

I even devoured the soy honey garlic-glazed wings in minutes. When speaking to the owner, Nathan Roberts, he said they use local produce, including one of the last remaining butchers in the town. The menu changes every few months, so expect something different each visit. 

When asked about Folkestone, Nathan said: “It’s definitely somewhere to watch, there’s a lot going on, a lot of moves being made. I’d say in the next 10 years, Folkestone will be on the map, especially for people in the city. It’s going to be somewhere to keep an eye on; it’s only going to get better around here.”