Folkestone

From World travel guide

Jump to: navigation, search

Folkestone is a town on the Kent coast, in the South of England.

Contents

Understand

Folkestone was originally a part of the Cinque Port of Dover, until in 1629 the local inhabitants obtained a licence to build a port.

At the end of the 18th century the city became prosperous because of an increase in the fishing and shipping industries and, in the middle of the 19th century, Folkestone was one of the chief resorts of southern England, aided by the construction of the railway line from London. Numerous victorian Hotels, including "The Grande" and "Metropole" are testament to this, together with no less than three railway stations.

Today, though, Folkestone remains as a faded shadow of its former grand self. Since the 1950s it has fallen into decline due in part to competition from Dover, the advent of the Channel Tunnel and the ubiquitous package holiday.

Get in

By car

The M20 links Folkestone with Ashford, the A259 runs south along the coast to Hastings and the A20 heads up the coast to Dover.

By train

Fare and timetable information is available from South East Trains, tel. 08457 484950.

Get around

By bus

Arriva is the bus company that operates in Folkestone. Timetables and fares are available on their website. Buy your ticket from the driver when you board the bus.

By taxi

See

Do

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Get out

External links

Folkestone Tourist Board

This article is still a stub and needs your attention. Plunge forward and help it grow!

Personal tools
Destinations

Toolbox