The up-and-coming English seaside town with beachfront hotels, viral Kate Bush event and new ‘open-air art' trails
THAT'S NOT ALL, FOLKES
THAT'S NOT ALL, FOLKES The up-and-coming English seaside town with beachfront hotels, viral Kate Bush event and new 'open-air art' trails
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WHAT do Kate Bush and Folkestone have in common?
Absolutely nothing — apart from one day of the year when nearly 1,000 red dress-clad Kate fans descend on the town to celebrate the singer.
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The lighthouse cool bar
Credit: Alamy
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Participants celebrate Wuthering Heights day
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The town's scenic harbour
Credit: Alamy
Called The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever, the unusual event has been running in the Kent town since 2023 and kicks off at midday today on the harbour front.
It's certainly a sight to behold — men and women throwing their arms in the air, dancing to the famous Wuthering Heights song.
But even non-Kate Bush fans will find themselves being swayed into the joy of Folkestone, with or without the bold outfits.
Launching today is the Folkestone Triennial, a huge open-air art exhibition that takes place every three years.
It features 70 pieces of artwork, including works by Tracy Emin, Banksy and Antony Gormley.
Chased by oysters
One of my favourite spots is the beautiful Lighthouse Bar inside a former lighthouse.
Look up and you will see 'Weather is a Third to Place and Time,' painted on the side, a leftover piece from the 2014 Triennial.
Look even further and you might glimpse France.
It's not a place for sitting indoors — there are barely more than a couple of tables.
Instead grab one of the benches lining the harbour.
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There is no better feeling than having the sea breeze blow past, and watching errant paddleboarders while sipping a glass of champagne chased by oysters.
I'm surrounded by city dwellers (dubbed DFLers — Down From Londoners) who are all exclaiming how surprised they are by the town.
Lighthouse Bar owner Simon explained to me: 'We were told we were mad to open in Folkestone ten years ago — now look at us.'
Folkestone is certainly becoming one of those places being mentioned as the 'next big thing'.
Often aligned with other Kent seaside destinations Whitstable and Margate, the train from the capital in less than an hour makes it an easy day-trip destination.
Most tourists will flock straight to the Harbour Arm, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.
Lined with shipping containers serving food and drink, every summer there are new additions to the complex.
My favourite new stall this year is The Mompling House, serving Nepalese snacks with juicy steamed momo dumplings and aloo chops, a spiced potato croquette.
Folkestone isn't short of fantastic restaurants either.
There's the award-winning Rocksalt, serving up fresh seafood while overlooking the harbour.
Or new this year is Pomus, a restaurant that opened earlier this month after success in Margate.
But my favourite spot is Marley's, an unassuming place from the outside that offers a small, farm-to-table menu inside (be sure to try the zesty pan-fried sea bass).
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The town's quaint, quirky shops
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When the booze and food becomes too much, the best place for some respite is The London & Paris Hotel
Credit: Alamy
It's one you'll need to make reservations for, as it is always full of locals, but it's one that's worth the wait.
You can barely turn a corner without spotting a bar here.
I inadvertently ended up doing my own drinks crawl, after being tempted inside many of them.
Two must-visits are Burrito Buoy for their frozen margaritas, or The Beer Shop Folkestone, which serves up local craft beers.
When the booze and food becomes too much, the best place for some respite is The London & Paris Hotel.
First opened in 1853 to cater for travellers heading across the Channel, it fell into disrepair before a multi-million-pound renovation in 2023 saw it reopen as an 11-room hotel.
Each of the rooms has a sea view, all with modern coastal chic decor — think blue striped walls and floral patterned pillows.
It felt like my head barely touched the pillow of my extremely plush king-size bed before I was woken up to the sound of seagulls.
A tap on the door heralds the arrival of breakfast, a cute hamper with fresh croissants, juice and fruit
And being so close to town, my early awakening also meant I was able to make the most of the peace and quiet before the crowds came in for the day.
I filled my bag with souvenirs from the Creative Quarter, the famous multi-coloured, steep street peppered with locally run shops.
But after all that eating and drinking, you won't see me Running Up That Hill.
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