My working staycation in Folkestone, Kent

What came out of this years summer holidays was a welcomed working staycation. You may have seen it over on my Instagram stories. I spent a week at my fast becoming second home, the town my family reside in - Folkestone Kent. I’ve been visiting for many years now, my Mum used to holiday there as a teen and has great pleasure in regaling stories of old, once seeing the Rolling Stones in the Odeon back in the swinging 60’s which is now where Boots the Chemist resides. Folkestone has had an interesting past, being a key fishing port for the UK and then a resurgence of interest in the 90’s as a stop off for the Euro Tunnel. In most recent days, it has become known for its art scene, helped by the emergence of the Folkestone creative quarter and triennial where big names such as Tracy Emin, Anthony Gormley and Yoko Ono have created pieces.

The town itself is bigger than you would think, sprawling period homes nestled between the North Downs and the English Channel. Standing at the cliff edge above Sunny Sands beach you can spot the White Cliffs of Dover to your East and the coastal point out to Dungeness to the West. The town has become more popular with city dwellers due to the high speed rail link to London, offering tiring Londoners the chance to commute whilst living a coastal life in the South of England.

I embarked on a late afternoon stroll towards the Harbour, once the old fishing and ferry port, it has now been transformed into the picturesque seaside postcard image of cobbled streets, fishing shacks, cafes, ice cream stalls, children’s water fountains and a sprinkling of buckets & spades and inflatable shops. In addition to it still being a working fisherman’s harbour, its overlooked by fancy fish restaurant Rocksalt, owned by Kentish local lad Mark Sargeant with views out onto the Richard Woods Holiday Home.

Meandering through to the newly restored Harbour Arm, teaming with history, the harbour arm has its fair share of stories over its legacy. From mid 1800’s it was bought by South Eastern Railway to rival neighbouring Dover, as a destination of choice for the wealthy Edwardians, with new routes into Folkestone it soon established itself as one of the UK’s most fashionable coastal towns.

Today it is a hub for cool and hip eateries, pop up dining concepts and events, home to the big screen where sport fixtures are played, the perfect tonic for people looking to socialise safely in 2021 year of covid. With so many eateries to choose from, in fact around 20 - I would recommend walking the length of the arm and congratulate yourself by quaffing a glass (or bottle) of bubbly and the like at the Lighthouse Champagne Bar , majestically located at the tip of the arm.

Walking back past the local fisherman I strolled through the old yesteryear train station, complete with signs in English and French and marvelled at the groups of families and friends dining at the Pilot Beach Bar with vibrant deck chairs overlooking the colourful Sol Calero art piece.

Retreating back in land, a short walk away to the Old High Street, Folkestone. A charming and creative explosion of local proprietors selling all sorts of things from vintage clothing, records, textiles, art galleries, tattoo parlours, grocers with locally sourced Kentish produce, wellness studios, a boutique children store, cafes and restaurants and so much more. It really is a marvel and a place to while away a whole afternoon. I bought a lovely print from The Great British Shop and opted for a fresh mint tea and got tempted by the cherry bakewell cake at well known Marley’s, it didn’t disappoint and it tasted even better when my waitress remarked it was the last slice!

I certainly left Folkestone this summer wanting more, I only began to scratch the surface. I would recommend at least 2 nights here to take in the triennial which is on until 2nd November and sample some of these amazing places to dine and shop. Alas I’ll have to make plans for October Half Term…