If you’re looking for a day out with beautiful beaches and stunning views – Folkestone is just a train ride from London.
Folkestone is famously known for its striking beaches, and with its towering cliffsides, lush green cliffside paths and small coves, one couldn’t be blamed for thinking this location was in a foreign country rather than Kent.
This popular seaside town can be reached by a 90-minute train from London Bridge and is a 35-minute walk or a bus ride from Folkestone Central Station.
One of Folkestone’s most popular and photogenic beaches is Mermaid Beach, a sandy beach recognisable by its striking coastline, surrounding greenery and cliffs.
On a pleasant day you can take a walk along Folkestone Pier, reaching the end where you’ll find The Lighthouse Champagne Bar.
This bar is situated within a former lighthouse and offers outdoor seating with views of the coastline, where you can order from a range of champagnes along with English sparkling wine.
If champagne isn’t your thing, head over to Steep Street Coffee House, a quirky bookstore and coffee shop where you can order a selection of cakes, coffees and lunch options.
No visit to Folkestone is complete without exploring the Harbour, where you’ll find a bustling market packed with a diverse range of traders and international street food vendors, along with cocktails and other drinks
At the Harbour you’ll find Folkestone Harbour Station, this former station has been converted into a unique entranceway to the harbour with flowerbeds on the former tracks of the station.
However, despite its new use, the station has kept much of its former charm and heritage from when it last operated as a train station in 2009.
If you’re looking for a place to eat, Folkestone is home to a number of award-winning eateries including Little Rock, a beachside restaurant housed in a former shipping container with outdoor seating serving seasonal seafood and fish.
The restaurant was one of two restaurants recently featured in OpenTable’s top 100 outdoor eating spaces list for 2024 alongside Rocksalt, a restaurant and wine bar serving modern dishes made with seasonal ingredients, with great views of the English Channel and the south coast.
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