Astute Management
Local digital partner for Kent businesses: websites, AI and automation to help you get found, win customers and save time.
Verified Nov 2026
Folkestone
Folkestone is a town in Kent. This page gathers local businesses, events and things to do in and around the town, from the old town and the Leas Lift to the villages nearby, so you can see what is close and what is on, whether you live here, work here or are visiting for the day.
Businesses in Folkestone
Removals
Minters Ltd
Removals and storage company at Sandwich Industrial Estate: domestic, commercial and worldwide moves, packing, clearance and self-store.
Verified Oct 2026
Plumbers
One Call Gas Services
Gas Safe heating and plumbing firm at Discovery Park, Sandwich: boiler repair, servicing and installation, and landlord gas certificates.
Verified Oct 2026
Cleaners
Astute Clean
Exterior cleaning across Kent from Gravesend: driveways, patios, roofs, gutters, render, windows, solar panels and graffiti removal.
Verified Oct 2026
Taxis
Kent Taxi Services
Taxi and private hire booking service in Gravesend covering Kent: airport and seaport transfers, school runs, hospital trips and wheelchair accessible taxis.
Verified Oct 2026
ElectriciansPlumbers
Plumbing & Electrical
Plumbing and electrical call-outs for homes and businesses across Kent and Medway, from Gravesend: boilers, drains, rewires, EICR and EV chargers.
Verified Oct 2026
Taxis
Same Day Couriers Kent
Courier booking service in Gravesend: same day, contract, medical, legal and parts deliveries collected across Kent and delivered UK-wide.
Verified Oct 2026
Roofers
CL Baker Kent Roofing
Sittingbourne roofer for tiled and flat roofs, emergency repairs, chimney stacks, repointing and guttering across east Kent.
Verified Oct 2026
What's on in Folkestone
Festivals
Folkestone Book Festival 2026
Single tickets and festival passes; see the Creative Folkestone site
Adults
Things to do in Folkestone
Places to visit
Beaches & Coast, Parks & Walks
East Cliff and Warren Country Park
Landslip coastline east of Folkestone with lawns, a playground, coastal walks, rockpools and a nature reserve at The Warren.
Dog Friendly
Family Friendly
Museums & Galleries, Parks & Walks
Folkestone Artworks
Free open-air collection of permanent artworks by 46 artists around Folkestone's seafront and old town, from the Triennial.
Family Friendly
Free
Beaches & Coast, Food & Drink
Folkestone Harbour Arm
Historic stone jetty open for promenading, with food and drink traders, a lighthouse bar and a programme of films, markets and music.
Dog Friendly
Family Friendly
Museums & Galleries
Folkestone Museum
Free museum in Folkestone's Town Hall covering the town's history, with a lift between floors and a cinema space.
Accessible
Family Friendly
Free
Castles & History, Museums & Galleries
Kent Battle of Britain Museum
Aviation museum on the old Hawkinge airfield telling the story of the 1940 Battle of Britain, with free on-site parking.
Family Friendly
Family Days Out, Parks & Walks
Lower Leas Coastal Park
Green Flag coastal park between Folkestone and Sandgate with a free adventure playground, amphitheatre, cafe and zig-zag cliff paths.
Dog Friendly
Family Friendly
Guides
GuideBeaches & Coast, Museums & Galleries
Folkestone: the Harbour Arm, the museum, the Warren, the Lower Leas, the artworks and Hawkinge
Folkestone Harbour Arm, the museum, the Warren, the Lower Leas, the public artworks and Mermaid, and the Kent Battle of Britain Museum at Hawkinge.
Food & drink in Folkestone
Farm Shops & Producers
Terlingham Vineyard
Vineyard and winery at Hawkinge, near Folkestone: still and sparkling wine, gin, a vineyard shop, online shop and booked tastings.
Verified Nov 2026
Restaurants
Rocksalt
Harbourside restaurant and bar on Folkestone's Fishmarket with seasonal Kentish menus, a garden, guest rooms and private hire.
Verified Oct 2026
CafésRestaurants
Sunshine Bistro
Cafe, bistro and cocktail bar on Sandgate Road with breakfast, Mediterranean dishes, Turkish meze, tapas and fresh fish.
Verified Oct 2026
PubsRestaurants
The Bouverie Tap
Independent bar and restaurant on Bouverie Road West serving local ales, Kentish gins, seasonal food and Sunday roasts.
Verified Oct 2026
Pubs
The Radnor Arms
Renovated Victorian pub in Old Bouverie serving local food and drink, Sunday lunch, weekly themed nights and private hire.
Verified Oct 2026
Restaurants
Viet Street
Family-run Vietnamese restaurant on Sandgate Road serving banh cuon, bun, pho and cocktails; closed Tuesdays.
Verified Oct 2026
Music & Choirs
Folkestone Choral Society
A lively mixed choir of around 80 voices with a varied programme, from big choral works to lighter summer concerts and festive Christmas music. There are no auditions, and singers under 25 pay no subscription.
Social & Friendship
Folkestone Men’s Shed
A weekly get-together for men aged 55 and over to chat, share skills and enjoy some company over a cuppa. It runs at Age UK's Marigold Centre and costs nothing to attend.
Running
Folkestone parkrun
A free, timed 5k on The Leas every Saturday morning, with sea views along the way. Runners, joggers, walkers and volunteers all take part.
Sport & Fitness
Folkestone Rowing Club
A friendly, volunteer-led rowing club on the seafront at Sandgate, catering for everyone from complete novices to masters rowers. Adults can learn to row, row recreationally or train to compete.
Running
Folkestone Running Club
A well-established running club based at Three Hills that trains week in, week out all year. Adults of all abilities are welcome, and the club runs structured eight-week plans for anyone building up their running.
Gardening & Nature
Marigold Centre Garden Club
A free weekly garden club run by Age UK South Kent Coast for anyone who likes getting their hands in the soil. It is a sociable morning of growing, tidying and chatting.
Town guide
About Folkestone
Folkestone is a town in the Folkestone and Hythe district. Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s building control page gives its address as the Civic Centre on Castle Hill Avenue, and Folkestone Town Council’s website says it has 18 councillors representing seven wards.
Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s case study says the Creative Foundation has been establishing the Creative Quarter as a cultural hub since 2002, and Visit Folkestone and Hythe names the Old High Street, Tontine Street and Mill Bay as places to find it. Folkestone Museum is at the Town Hall on Guildhall Street, and its own visit page says admission is free. Visit Folkestone and Hythe has a Creative Quarter page that describes it as Folkestone’s cultural heart.
The Leas Lift is a water-balanced cliff lift that Historic England lists at Grade II* (list entry 1061185), and its list entry records it as constructed in 1885 for the Folkestone Lift Company. Check the lift’s own website to see whether it is running. The Confederation of the Cinque Ports has a page for Folkestone and lists the town among its member towns.
Getting there and around
Folkestone has two stations, Folkestone Central and Folkestone West, and Southeastern’s website says both are just under an hour from London St Pancras International on its highspeed services. Check National Rail for which operators call, the stopping patterns and current journey times before you travel.
Map of Folkestone
Questions about Folkestone
Which council covers Folkestone?
Folkestone and Hythe District Council covers the town, and its building control page gives its address as the Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone. Folkestone Town Council's website says it has 18 councillors representing seven wards. The Office for National Statistics counted about 109,800 people in the district at the 2021 census.
What train stations are there in Folkestone?
Folkestone has two stations, Folkestone Central and Folkestone West. Southeastern's website says both are just under an hour from London St Pancras International on its highspeed services. Check National Rail for which operators call, the stopping patterns, and current journey times and fares before you travel.
What is the Leas Lift?
The Leas Lift is a water-balanced cliff lift. Historic England lists it at Grade II* (list entry 1061185), and the entry records it as constructed in 1885 for the Folkestone Lift Company. Its own website is the place to check whether it is running.
Is Folkestone Museum free?
Folkestone Museum's own visit page says admission is free, and Visit Folkestone and Hythe's listing places the museum at the Town Hall, 1-2 Guildhall Street. Check the museum's website for opening hours before you visit.
What is the Creative Quarter in Folkestone?
Folkestone and Hythe District Council's case study says the Creative Foundation has been establishing the Creative Quarter as a cultural hub since 2002, with support from Arts Council England, the district council, Kent County Council and the Roger de Haan Charitable Trust. Visit Folkestone and Hythe names the Old High Street, Tontine Street and Mill Bay as places to find it.