A coastal resort town in the Shepway district of Kent, the name of the town has its origins in the 7th century as “Folcanstan” which is thought to refer to the stone of folca which in turn is a common, Old English name. Extensive damage was caused to the early settlements by various Viking raids up til the 10th century and was again burned by Earl Godwin of Wessex after being exiled by the king, Edward the Confessor. Although only a small hamlet, in 1066 after the great invasion when William the Conqueror became king, he made a gift of the barony to his half brother and by the time the Doomsday Book was written in 1086, it belonged to William D’Arcy. Subsequently invaded again by the French, Folkestone was later seriously damaged during both World Wars. Originally part of the Cinque Port of Dover, sharing in the privileges and duties that status provided, in 1843 as the railway age began, residents gained permission to build a port so the town developed as both a cross-channel ferry port and thriving seaside resort. For a time, Folkestone was the place to go, with much to offer - a resort ‘with class’ for the gentry to take their holidays where, in places, ‘ordinary people’ were forbidden, where cross-channel steamers regularly went back and forth. Hit hard by the later trend for overseas holidays, the building of the Channel Tunnel helped to bring new life into Folkestone. Offering a cross channel journey time of just 35 minutes, Folkestone is once again a great place to stay and combine a visit to the Continent with the local world heritage site castles, stately homes and gardens. Plans are currently underway for a major redevelopment of Folkestone’s seafront and harbour, to modernise the town whilst retaining much of its history and character.
Attraction
Elham Valley Railway Museum
Folkestone Library, Museum and Art Gallery
Kent Battle of Britain Museum
Leas Lift
Martello Tower No 3 Visitor Centre
Neville Pundole Gallery
Budget
Carlton Hotel *book online*
Holiday Inn Express Folkestone - Channel Tunnel *book online*
Premier Inn Folkestone *book online*
Windsor Hotel *book online*
Camping
Little Satmar Holiday Park
Little Switzerland Camping & Caravan Site
Care Home
8 Turketel Road
Cedars Folkestone
Cherries
Finn Farm Lodge
Laburnum House & Treetops Care Homes
Maple House
West View
Classes
Club
Council
Doctor
Central Surgery
Park Farm Surgery
The New Surgery
The Surgery
The Surgery Manor Road
Farmers Market
Capel-le-Ferne Farmers Market
Folkestone Farmers Market
Golf Club
Health and Fitness Club
AK Health And Fitness
Open Health and Fitness Club
Inn
Market
Capel-le-Ferne Farmers Market
Folkestone Farmers Market
Folkestone Street Market
Folkestone Sunday Market
Pub and Bar
Castle InnHappy Frenchman
Imperial
Lifeboat
Nail Box
Nostalgia 50's Bar & Restaurant
Prince of Wales
Raglan Public House
Racecourse
Restaurant
Alfresco
Hermitage (The)
Mariner (The)
Nostalgia 50's Bar & Restaurant
Number Eleven
Prince Of India
Savour Aroma Ltd
The Pavilion (The)
Solicitor
Taxi
Folkestone Taxi Co LtdJJ Taxis Folkestone
M T S Cars
Premier Cars
Venue
Folkestone Racecourse
Leas Cliff Hall
Vet
Sports Clubs
Folkestone CC (Cricket)
Folkestone Optimist (Men's Hockey)
Folkestone Optimist (Women's Hockey)
Hawkinge CC (Cricket)
Sibton Park CC (Cricket)
Shops
Debenhams
Cheriton Bookshop
Spurrier
Busy Lizzy's
Surface2Air sports
Boots
Wyevale Garden Centre
W Martin Ltd
Taylors Pharmacy
David Snow
Walter & Son
Peter Edwards Ltd
Evans
Carphone Warehouse
Wickes
Holland and Barratt
Peacocks
Gamestation
Game
B&Q
Lloyds Pharmacy
Pets At Home
Jo Letchford Mosaics
Jo Letchford Mosaics
Bouncing Bears
Limelight Bridal Boutique
Melville & McCabe
Antiques
Freeman & Lloyd
Christopher Buck Antiques
Five Centuries Antiques
Kent Auction Galleries Ltd
Activities
Ministry of Paintball(Adventure)
Folkestone Voyager Sea Angling & Boat Charter(Fishing)
Folkestone Sports Centre Trust(Snow Sports)
Places to Stay near Folkestone
Kentmere Guest House (0.07 miles)
A warm welcome to Kentmere Guest House. Located in the centre of Folkestone, Kentmere offers friendly, comfortable accommodation. Located on the main tourist route and within easy walking distance of Folkestone ... More
Banque Hotel (0.12 miles)
This elegantly appointed Victorian-style hotel is small, select and very comfortable. Our well maintained accommodation is close to the Channel Tunnel, town centre, the Leas, shops and local restaurants.
This long established, ... More
Windsor Hotel (0.24 miles)
Portland Hotel (0.24 miles)
Opposite the Leas Cliff Hall, beside the sea and Folkestone town centre, The Portland Hotel has a popular bar and restaurant (dinner inclusive deals). Close to Eurotunnel and the Dover Ferry ... More
The Southcliff Hotel (0.26 miles)
Situated in the historical resort of Folkestone, the 2-star AA graded Southcliff Hotel is perfectly situated on the Leas, the town's panoramic promenade, with good links to the motorway for cross ... More
Carlton Hotel (0.28 miles)
This sea-facing hotel is situated on The Leas, Folkestone's cliff-top promenade. It has motorway connections to Eurotunnel and the Dover ports.
The Carlton Hotel is also close to Leas Cliff Hall and ... More
Wycliffe Hotel (0.29 miles)
This beautiful, comfortable, family run hotel is situated in a peaceful setting with its own garden for residents use. One of the very few in the area with a large, free, ... More
Hotel Relish (0.29 miles)
Located in the fashionable ‘West End’, The Relish is Folkestone’s first contemporary, and only 5-star guest house accommodation. 10 rooms are furnished to the highest standard with sumptuous beds by Hypnos, and ... More
Best Western Clifton Hotel (0.31 miles)
Elegant Victorian style hotel in the centre of The Leas. Views of English Channel, minutes from town centre, Le Shuttle and ferry terminal to France. Spectacular views of the English Channel, 80 comfortable bedrooms, Garden ... More | visit website
Wards Hotel & Restaurant (0.31 miles)
Check availability and book this hotel online with Active Hotels
Wards hotel is a spacious detached Edwardian Property. As a family run hotel, we recognise varied needs of our guests from business Executive, to touring ... More
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