Pictures of Folkestone

About Folkestone

The recent building of the Channel Tunnel made Folkestone the scene of one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe. Tourists arrive in Folkestone and leave quickly on their journey elsewhere. Those tourists who choose to tarry and spend time exploring the town are rewarded by the visual delights of this ancient place whose illustrious, and at times, turbulent history stretches back to the days before the Romans invaded Britain.

Until the last century, Folkestone was chiefly known as a busy fishing village. The railways reached here in 1843 and soon after holiday makers flocked to the town, attracted by the golden sandy beach cradled in the shelter of the East Cliff. The town developed rapidly from this point, enjoying huge popularity during the Edwardian Era. The Victorian and Edwardian periods saw an explosion in building and most of the fine properties that we see today were built then.The lovely pier which was finally demolished in 1954 was built in the 1880's, it had a pavilion large enough to seat 1,000 people. All the great music hall stars of the day appeared there, including Marie Lloyd.

Folkestone harbour is a constant source of delight, always busy and awash with gaily coloured fishing and pleasure craft which at low tide, lie stranded on mud-flats. Larger passenger ferries leave for the Continent from the nearby stone pier as the little harbour is too small for the modern vessels of today.

One of the beauties of Folkestone is The Leas - these fabulous gardens extend for nearly two miles and the lawns and flower beds are a riot of colour all the year round. This beautiful vantage point affords fine views across the ocean to the coast of France.

Alaways a prosperous place, Folkestone offers fine facilities for visitors and elegant restaurants mingle with ancient inns and old public houses. Housed in a lovely old Victorian building is the town museum which highlights the life and history of Folkestone.
The ancient parish church of St.Mary and St.Eanswythe dates to the 12th-century. The church was rebuilt early in the 13th-century after being burned down by raiders from France. Of it's many treasurers the church shows a window commemorating William Harvey who was born in Folkestone in 1578. He is the man who discovered the circulation of blood.

In the countryside beyond Folkstone there are several pretty and interesting little villages; there is a nearby Butterfly Centre and a museum commemorating the Battle of Britain. The magnificent cliffs that form the Dover to Folkestone Heritage Coast, are best viewed from a pleasure craft round the bay. The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway line runs from Seabrook.