Places to visit in Folkestone

Books meet bakes at this coffee shop on Folkestone’s buzzy Old High Street, inspired by the literary cafes of Paris. Treat yourself to a seasonal savoury or towering slice of homemade sponge cake to go with your latte (we won’t judge). The second-hand novels that line the walls are all for sale too, so why pick up a new read – perhaps something by former Folkestone resident H.G. Wells?

Folkestone’s oh-so colourful Creative Quarter is centred around the Old High Street, Tontine Street and Mill Bay. Pop your head into artists’ galleries or learn a new craft, from drawing to ceramics. If shopping is more your bag, you’ll love the area’s indie boutiques: retro shopping at Bounce Vintage, quirky stationery at Objectables and modernist jewellery from Aimee Craddock. There’s also Under The Moon Market on the last Saturday of every month for unusual souvenirs from local makers.

Banksy, Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley, Yoko Ono – just some of the artists who’ve left their creative stamp on Folkestone as part of Britain’s largest urban outdoor exhibition of contemporary art. Follow the Folkestone Artworks trail to spot their work dotted around the town and perhaps you’ll discover a new favourite artist along the way – like Richard Woods, whose pop art Holiday Home sculpture surveys the harbour.

Overlooking Folkestone’s clifftop promenade, The Leas, The View Hotel certainly lives up to its name. Choose from bedrooms, suites or perhaps an apartment for a more independent stay. The hotel’s own Cliffe Lounge Bar & kitchen serves tapas and cocktails with a side of sea views.

Rye Bay crab, Cornish sardines, Dorset cockles, plus lobster and scallops freshly caught in Folkestone: British seafood is the undisputed star of the show at Rocksalt. Save room for dessert, as the lemon thyme meringue tart with local blackberries is a tangy way to round off your meal. If the weather allows, book a table on the terrace overlooking Folkestone Harbour – but floor-to-ceiling glass windows mean the views from indoors are just as impressive.

Get your culture fix at the Quarterhouse, the town’s performing arts hub. The eclectic line-up includes theatre, dance, music, and comedy, along with live screenings from the National Theatre and Royal Opera House. Be sure to drop by The Clearing, home to the venue’s bar, to see its cathedral-like architecture from Studio Ben Allen.

Get a sweat on – in the best way – at Britain’s biggest beach spa, right on Folkestone seafront. Enjoy wood-fired saunas and a hot tub with views over the English Channel, and brave the communal cold plunge tank. Refuel at the Sea Folk Café, where the menu is influenced by Japan’s onsens.  

Created in 1784, this seaside park has three different zones to explore. The ‘fun zone’ is where you’ll find the zig-zag path, leading you from street level to the seashore via a series of artificial caves. It’s also home to the South East’s largest free adventure playground, which reopened in June 2026 after a huge makeover. 

This one-time departure point for ferries to France has been reinvented as a dining and shopping destination. Tuck into street food like Nepalese momos and gyros-loaded fries at The Goods Yard, then check out the wares from the independent creatives at The Marketplace next door. Visiting in summer? Catch films and sports on the outdoor Harbour Screen. 

Made from evaporated milk and brown sugar, gypsy tarts are a Kent delicacy – and now Herbert’s has transformed them into an even tastier ice cream. Or, try their homemade ice lollies in fruity flavours – pineapple and passionfruit, or apple and watermelon, anyone? They also offer a dog-friendly gelato to help your pooch keep cool

Take a whistle-stop tour through 6,000 years of Folkestone’s history at the town’s museum, which reopened in 2017. Especially fascinating are the displays on its maritime heritage (think tales of smuggling and shipwrecks) and its fossil collection. You’ll even get to meet Aefre, an Anglo-Saxon woman whose skeleton was discovered nearby.

You don’t need to know your ollie from your kickflip to have a blast at F51, the world’s first purpose-built multi-storey skatepark. Learn to skate with the help of an experienced coach and beginner-friendly ramps, or test your skills on the stair sets, ledges and handrails. The venue also hosts the South East’s tallest climbing venue, so if you’ve a head for heights, you’re in the right place.