Folkestone’s original location was in a valley in the sea cliffs, and was developed through both fishing and its proximity to the Continent as a landing place and trading port.
Until the 19th century Folkestone remained a small fishing community with a seafront that was continually battered by storms. In 1807 an Act of Parliament was passed to build a pier and harbour which Thomas Telford built in 1809, thereby rendering Folkestone with a safe harbour.
Currently, Folkestone has the only sandy beach and coastal park within an hour of London by rail and is an elegant Edwardian seaside resort typified by the Grand Hotel and The Metropole on The Leas.
The Leas is one of the finest marine promenades in the UK, and is located minutes from beautiful countryside in Kent’s ‘Garden of England’.
The town enjoys its proximity to the sea, and from the development a stroll can be taken along the famous Leas promenade taking in the sea air and views across the English Channel towards France. Folkestone harbour itself still displays fresh fish and seafood from its market stalls, together with the acclaimed Rocksalt restaurant.
Take a different route from the development and you will soon arrive at the town centre with a variety of shops including Debenhams and WH Smith as well as small independent retailers and galleries.
Education & Nurseries
Folkestone is well served by excellent primary and secondary schools providing a very good choice of Educational Centres from Pre-School, Infants / Juniors, Senior as well as Colleges / Adult / Independent and Special Needs. A number of schools as well as K College are within easy walking distance.
Hospitals
Royal Victoria Hospital Folkestone, is a community hospital that provides a range of local services including a minor injuries unit with a walk-in centre.
The William Harvey Hospital Ashford offers a wide range of hospital services including full accident and emergency services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Buckland Hospital Dover, offers a range of services from minor injuries units and general surgery to therapies and X-rays.
Transport Links
Folkestone West and Folkestone Central mainline railway stations are within walking distance providing domestic services to London Charing Cross and Canon Street and Ashford International with links to Euro Star services with their new twice-daily train direct from London to Amsterdam, it takes just 3hrs 41 mins to get from city centre to city centre. HS1 (high speed) services are also available on this line to London St Pancras International in less than one hour.
Junction 13 of the M20 Motorway is a very short drive away connecting you by car to London and further along the coast.
For easy access to the continent the Euro Tunnel Terminal is 7 miles away or the Port of Dover is 10 miles.
There are regular bus services throughout the area and a number of taxi ranks.
Supermarkets
There are plenty of major and minor supermarkets within 3.5 miles with more to choose from if you want to travel a little further.
