I visited the buzzing seaside town praised for being the UK's best - Is it worth the hype?
If you have been looking for a seaside town getaway in the UK recently, the chances are you have been suggested the town of Folkestone.
The former harbour and shipping port lies on the coast of Kent, and is arguably most famous for Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, helping connect the UK with France.
But in the last few years Folkestone has been earning more recognition for its attractions, helping it become a must-visit seaside town.
In May it was named among the UK’s best seaside towns by Time Out , while at the start of August it was one of the best places in England for a weekend getaway by World Atlas.
Plus, in 2024 it was named the best place to live in Kent by The Times and has featured on the annual list many times since.
However, Folkestone was not always the hip and popular place it now is.
I grew up in a town just 20 minutes away from Folkestone and spent much of my childhood and teenage years enjoying its classic seaside offerings.
During the 1990s, my parents owned a flat in the town, and my Nan and Grandad enjoyed their honeymoon in Folkestone back in 1949.
Although I have since left Kent, whenever I am back home, I still try to visit the town which holds many happy memories for my family and me.
As many locals can attest, in the last 10 years, Folkestone has changed a lot.
The Harbour Arm, once a bustling train station and ferry port, was closed off and the town centre had little to admire.
But, in 2015, Folkestone began to see a shift with the reinvention of the Harbour Arm attracting a wider, newer crowd.
I must admit, I was happy to see a change in Folkestone with the hope that it would once again become the bustling seaside town it was known to be in the Victorian era.
11 years on, there is no doubt that the town has seen that change and is now earning national recognition.
But just because it has the Harbour Arm, does it really make it a must-visit seaside town?
What does Folkestone offer?
Like any classic British seaside town, Folkestone has its charm with views of the beautiful sea, fish and chips galore and a friendly atmosphere.
If you look at any TikTok, article, or Instagram post promoting the town, it will all say to visit the Harbour Arm.
So what better place is there to start?
The jewel of Folkestone, the Harbour Arm
@uktoday_ Folkestone in Kent is a must visit destination 🌊⛱️#uktravelguide #uktravel #folkestone🇬🇧 #folkestoneharbour ♬ Days Like This (Nature Sounds) - Dennis Korn
The Harbour Arm is a peak tourist dream; it has everything you could want from a modern, classy seaside attraction.
Next to the car park is The Goods Yard (aka the food court), with a choice of food from vendors all focused on facing a large screen that regularly shows films and sporting events.
In fact, last Christmas I spent a good few hours in the freezing cold enjoying one of the greatest films ever made, The Muppets Christmas Carole, on that big screen.
Next to The Goods Yard is the marketplace filled with small sheds run by small businesses selling goods from artwork, books, handmade jewellery and pottery to dog treats.
Along the arm you will find more food and drink spots, some in old shipping containers and others in former train carriages as an homage to the harbour’s former life.
The arm that goes out to sea has some businesses within the harbour’s interior building, all leading to the Lighthouse.
But the Harbour Arms offerings do not end there, with it also hosting an adventure golf course, sea sauna, a games room and more.
With so much to do in just one area of Folkestone, it is no wonder that it has become such a hot spot.
I personally love the arm and enjoyed getting to see it grow over the last 11 years to what it now is.
However, there is much more to Folkestone than the Harbour Arm.
Why The Leas remains one of Folkestone's hidden highlights
At the top of Folkestone, you will find The Leas, a clifftop promenade designed by Decimus Burton, who worked on Kew Gardens and London Zoo, according to Visit Kent.
The centre of The Leas is the bandstand, which regularly hosts events during the summer months.
But it is the Leas Cliff Hall which I think is a must-visit for anyone visiting Folkestone for a getaway.
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The historic venue is built within the cliffside with a balcony overlooking the sea and regularly hosts top events.
In the coming months, the venue will be welcoming the likes of Al Murray, Leo Sayer, Status Quo’s Francis Rossi, Phil Wang, La Voix and Ed Gamble.
I have visited Leas Cliff Hall many times, from seeing Busted to going to enjoy many tribute act gigs and even having my secondary school prom in the venue, so I can personally attest that it is an amazing venue.
The independent shopping street full of surprises
Folkestone offers a unique shopping scene, with its town centre offering chain stores like Primark, TK Maxx, Sports Direct and JD.
But The Old High Street is where you can get a sense of what Folkestone locals offer.
Just a short (albeit uphill) walk from the Harbour Arm, The Old High Street is jam-packed with independent small businesses like fabric shop Miss Gingers, gift shop Objectables, and music store Vintage and Vinyl.
Plus, the street has an array of cute and quirky cafes, like Marley's, Steep Street and Rachel Leigh Bakes (where I highly recommend the Cloudy Lemonade).
Folkestone's peaceful escape from the crowds
Away from the Harbour and the town centre, Folkestone has some of the most breathtaking coastal walks you could dream of.
The Warren is an area of the town that runs along the coastline and offers the perfect mix of sea and nature.
In its heyday, the Warren was an Edwardian beach with its own train station and café, but now it has become a secret oasis tucked away from those unknown to it.
However, if you are willing to trek through some nature, you would be greeted with a peaceful stretch of coastline that is unlike any other.
Is Folkestone really one of the UK’s best seaside towns?
I must first admit that growing up as close as I did and spending much of my youth in Folkestone, I might be slightly biased.
Nevertheless, I truly think that Folkestone is one of the UK’s best seaside towns and does qualify as the perfect place for a seaside getaway.
From the Harbour Arm, The Old High Street, Leas Cliff Hall and The Warren, the Kent town is a true gem that deserves all the love and praise it gets.
Have you visited Folkestone? Let us know what you thought of it in the comments.
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