tunnel
Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel)
50 km tunnel under the English Channel - drive your car on the train
2 km · about 5 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Folkestone
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Folkestone
Folkestone works well as a base: 5 minutes from Capel le Ferne, 13km from White Cliffs of Dover.
Folkestone is in England, United Kingdom, with about 66,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Capel le Ferne, about 4 km away.
Folkestone ( FOHK-stən) is a coastal town on the English Channel, in Kent, south-east England. The town lies on the southern edge of the North Downs at a valley between two cliffs. It was an important harbour, shipping port, and fashionable coastal resort for most of the 19th and mid-20th centuries.
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has had a settlement since the Mesolithic era. A nunnery was founded by Eanswith, granddaughter of Æthelberht of Kent in the 7th century, who is still commemorated as part of the town's culture. During the 13th century, it developed into a seaport, and the harbour developed during the early 19th century to defend against a French invasion. Folkestone expanded further west after the arrival of the railway in 1843 as an elegant coastal resort, thanks to the investment of the Earl of Radnor under the urban plan of Decimus Burton.
In its Edwardian-era heyday, Folkestone was considered the most fashionable resort of the time, visited by royalty — amongst them Queen Victoria and Edward VII and other members of the English aristocracy. The town's architecture, especially in the West End part, is a testimony of this period, with many impressive buildings, townhouses, villas, private squares, and large hotels built to accommodate the gentry. After two world wars and the boom of the overseas holiday package, the town quickly declined. The harbour's trade diminished following the opening of the nearby Channel Tunnel and the ending of ferry services from Folkestone, but it still remains in active use.
Where to Stay in Folkestone
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Explore the Area
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Folkestone?
Within an hour or so of Folkestone: Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel) (2 km), Dover Castle (12 km), White Cliffs of Dover (13 km), Canterbury Cathedral (23 km).
Are there any good drives near Folkestone?
The nearest famous roads are Crystal Palace Circuit, Koninklijke Baan Coast Road and Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Where is Folkestone?
Folkestone is in England, United Kingdom, about 4 km from Capel le Ferne.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 66,429
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.0817, 1.1673
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Folkestone
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
castle
Dover Castle
A medieval fortress overlooking the English Channel, known as the Key to England due to its strategic defensive significance.
12 km · about 20 min drive
natural wonder
White Cliffs of Dover
Iconic chalk cliffs reaching up to 110 meters high along the English Channel, symbolizing Britain for centuries.
13 km · about 25 min drive
cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury and one of the oldest Christian structures in England.
23 km · about 25 min drive
photogenic
Mermaid Street, Rye
Cobbled hill of half-timbered houses in the ancient Cinque Port of Rye, crowned by the 15th-century Mermaid Inn with its smuggling-era cellars. Houses carry names like 'The House with Two Front Doors'.
34 km · about 40 min drive
landmark
Rye
A hilltop town of cobbled streets and timber-framed houses, once a Cinque Port and now stranded two miles inland.
34 km · about 40 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Cap Gris-Nez
The closest point in France to England, a windswept headland of cliffs, lighthouse and migrating birds.
38 km · about 45 min drive
castle
Leeds Castle
A castle on islands in a lake formed by the River Len in Kent, often called the loveliest castle in the world.
42 km · about 50 min drive
Driving roads near Folkestone
- Right hereChannel Tunnel (Eurotunnel)50 km tunnel under the English Channel - drive your car on the train
- 38 kmCap Gris-NezThe closest point in France to England, a windswept headland of cliffs, lighthouse and migrating birds.
- 42 kmCap Blanc-NezDazzling white chalk cliffs on the Opal Coast with views across the Channel to England on clear days.
- 75 kmBeachy HeadThe highest chalk sea cliff in Britain at 162 m, with a red-and-white lighthouse standing on the shore below.
- 80 kmCuckmere HavenA meandering river valley meeting the sea beneath the Seven Sisters, giving the classic view of the cliffs and coastguard cottages.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
Nearby Destinations
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