Folkestone is a coastal resort town in the Shepway district of Kent, England. It was a Norman stronghold on, or near the site of a Saxon fort and became known from its connection with the priory of St. Eanswythe. The name of the town of Folkestone its origin in the late 7th Century as 'Folcanstan', in all probablity referring to the ‘stone of Folca’, a common old English name. Viking raids were common to the area and left extensive damage to the settlements at Folkestone up until the 10th Century, and even after Edward the Confessor came to the throne in 1042, the village was again put to the torch by Earl Godwin of Wessex, after being exiled by the king. In about 1920 a landslip on the East Cliff at Folkestone revealed the remains of a large Roman villa complete with bathrooms and hypocausts, a courtyard with a mosaic floor and a kitchen with two fireplaces. The excavations were undertaken by Mr. S. E. Winbolt. The site was eventually recorded and covered over in 1957.
Transportation in Folkestone
By Car: Head for the M20, turn off at any junction from 10 to 13 and follow the signs. Or take the M2 to Canterbury for a choice of pretty routes into Folkestone.
By Coach: National Express operates services direct to Folkestone town centre.
By Train: Mainline services from and via London, also cross-country routes in south east England.
By Ferry: Folkestone is located in Kent on the South East coast of England next to the Straits of Dover. Folkestone is a resort town with excellent communications to London and Europe, and is the home of the Folkestone Eurotunnel passenger terminal taking freight vehicles, cars, and foot passengers via the Channel Tunnel to Calais/Coquelles faster than any other cross channel service.
The town’s timeless charm is crowned by The Leas, a mile-long cliff-top promenade. Here swathes of lawned grass, carefully tended flower beds, hanging baskets and a wide walkway offer an unsurpassed opportunity to enjoy the glories of a coastal town at its best. Few places could offer finer views as the coast spreads itself in a wide arc of blue around the coast to the Dungeness headland. Down in the Coastal Park, the newly-created. amphitheatre, a 350-seat grassed arena, sits against a backdrop of blue and provides a stunning stage for open-air performances. Beyond the amphitheatre, Folkestone is a place for families and sweethearts, picnics, gentle strolls, blood-pumping jogs and sunbathing in deckchairs. It’s also a place for some traditional seaside favourites, candyfloss, cockles and whelks, a sandy beach and a sheltered harbour. And standing sentinel on the cliff-top is Martello Tower No. 3, waiting to welcome those adventurous enough to climb to its doors.
Book hotels in Folkstone for short breaks with Superbreak. Great deals and offers available on Superbreak's hotel accommodation. Secure online booking with great availability and instant email booking confirmation.
