Folkestone

A train station platform with a green 'Way Out' sign hanging from the ceiling, with a French translation 'Sortie', under a glass-paneled roof with sunlight casting shadows, and two people sitting on the platform in the distance.
The image shows a pebble beach with waves crashing onto the shore under a partly cloudy sky, with some buildings visible in the distance on the left.
Several boats anchored at a harbor during low tide with seagulls flying overhead and a stone breakwater in the background under a blue sky.

1. Rich History & Character

  • Folkestone is a historic coastal town known for its Victorian architecture, maritime heritage, and regenerated harbour area. [zoopla.co.uk]

  • The town is home to the Creative Quarter, a major regeneration project restoring around 90 historic buildings into studios, shops, galleries, and residences, preserving and reimagining the Old High Street’s heritage. [folkestone...ythe.co.uk]

  • Folkestone’s harbour area, once a major port, is now a cultural landmark with extensive redevelopment, including public art and restaurants that celebrate its historic shoreline. [zoopla.co.uk]

2. Beautiful Location

  • Set on Kent’s Heritage Coast — named the only UK destination on Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel list. [zoopla.co.uk]

  • Offers cliff walks, coastal parks, beaches, and views over the English Channel, with easy access to both countryside and seaside landscapes. [zoopla.co.uk]

  • Lower Leas Coastal Park and Sunny Sands beach offer a mix of family-friendly green spaces and sandy shoreline. [zoopla.co.uk]

3. Strong Community & Lifestyle

  • Folkestone has become a creative and cultural hub, with festivals such as the Folkestone Book Festival, SALT Festival, and regular events hosted at the Quarterhouse arts venue. [thekenttourist.co.uk]

  • The Creative Quarter provides a lively community of artists, makers, cafés, indie shops, and cultural organisations — a defining feature of Folkestone’s lifestyle. [folkestone...ythe.co.uk]

  • The Harbour Arm is a focal point for food, music, markets, and community gatherings, contributing to a vibrant social scene. [zoopla.co.uk]

4. Excellent Schools

  • Top-performing secondary schools include:

    • The Folkestone School for Girls — Progress 8: +0.29, Ofsted: Good. [savemyexams.com]

    • The Harvey Grammar School — Progress 8: +0.24, Ofsted: Outstanding. [savemyexams.com]

  • Primary schools such as Folkestone Primary perform above national averages (69% meeting expected standard vs 61% national). [compare-sc...ice.gov.uk]

  • A broad mix of academies, grammar schools, and special educational institutions provide diverse options for families.

5. Transport Links

  • High-speed trains from Folkestone Central to London St Pancras take as little as 54–56 minutes, with frequent direct services. [thetrainline.com], [rome2rio.com]

  • Around 160 trains per day connect Folkestone to London and Kent towns. [thetrainline.com]

  • Road access is excellent via M20, connecting quickly to Ashford, Maidstone, and the wider motorway network.

  • Proximity to the Channel Tunnel offers rapid access to Europe.

6. Property Market

  • Average house price (2025): ~£305,000 in Folkestone.

  • Folkestone & Hythe district average (Oct 2025): £311,000. [ons.gov.uk]

  • Typical prices by property type (ONS, June 2025):

    • Detached: ~£525,000

    • Semi-detached: ~£339,000

    • Terraced: ~£268,000

    • Flats: ~£169,000

  • More affordable than many South East hotspots (e.g., Brighton, Whitstable), with strong interest due to regeneration and coastal living appeal. [match-estates.co.uk]

7. Safety & Quality of Life

  • Folkestone’s town‑centre wards have higher-than-average crime rates, with 96 crimes per 1,000 people in 2025 (35% above Kent’s average). [crimerate.co.uk]

  • However, nearby areas like Sandgate & West Folkestone show significantly lower crime (41.9 per 1,000). [streetscan.co.uk]

  • Folkestone offers excellent coastal amenities, green spaces, culture, and connectivity, earning strong quality‑of‑life appeal despite variation between neighbourhoods.

  • Air quality and environment are generally good, particularly along the coast and parks. (Supported by regional data trends in Folkestone & Hythe)