Folkestone

Folkestone is a port town and civil parish in the Kent coast of South East England, at the eastern edge of the county. It lies opposite Calais on the English Channel, linked by ferry routes and the nearby Channel Tunnel rail link, with the harbour and seafront known as The Leas.

Historically a fishing village, Folkestone grew as a railway town in the 19th century after the South Eastern Railway opened the line to London, bringing excursionists and holidaymakers. The Leas promenade was established, and a commercial harbour developed to support ferries and trade.

The town’s port area is the Folkestone Harbour, including the Harbour Arm, now a pedestrian promenade with cafes and independent shops. The cross-Channel trade declined, with the Channel Tunnel nearby and freight and passenger traffic routed via Dover. The town is served by Folkestone Central and Folkestone West rail stations on the Southeastern network, with services toward London and along the coast; the M20 motorway provides road connections to the national network.

In recent decades Folkestone has undergone regeneration centered on the Creative Quarter and the Harbour Arm, linking arts, culture and tourism. The Folkestone Triennial, a major contemporary art event staged on the seafront, and the regeneration of the Old High Street have been central to its contemporary identity. Notable landmarks include the East Cliff and chalk cliffs, and the Lower Leas Coastal Park along the seafront.

Administratively, Folkestone is part of the Folkestone and Hythe District in Kent, within the county council area, and is a civil parish with its own town council.