Folkestone crowned one of the ‘best places to live’ in the UK


On the southern edge of the North Downs, nestled between two cliffs is where you will find the quaint town of Folkestone. Once a favourite of King Edward VII, Folkestone welcomes a significant amount of visitors each year, particularly those escaping the hustle and bustle of London during the summer months, thanks to its location.

In recent years, the seaside town has undergone major regeneration projects to inject new life into some of its more tired areas, and as a result, the town has found itself topping the list of a new “best places to live” ranking in the UK.

The list was pulled together by the Sunday Times, which ranked areas to live around the UK based on region. Folkestone was named the ultimate winner for the southeast of England, in part thanks to the regeneration project in the town, but also for its quirky and artistic atmosphere.

Home to hundreds of artists, Folkestone has a proud Creative Quarter home to galleries, studios independent boutiques, bars, cafés and restaurants all linked by cobbled streets. Colourful shopfronts line the high street and it has been described by locals as “a really vibrant, buzzy place to be at the moment”.

Folkestone art gallery is at the heart of the Creative Quarter and exhibits the work of local artists and those from further afield across its two floors.

One of the biggest changes to the town in recent years is the restoration and re-development of the Harbour Arm – originally known as the “New Pier”. Though it has stood proudly in Folkestone since 1904 and was used for a variety of reasons over the years, by 2003 many of the market stalls and amenities on the pier had been shut down.

Thanks to investment led by Sir Roger De Haan, non-executive chairman of the town’s principal employer Saga Group and Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Company, fresh life has been breathed into the area.

The beautiful promenade is now home to a growing number of independent businesses and has become a centre for food, drink and entertainment. Regular live music and events are hosted at the Harbour Arm and there is a regular farmer’s market.

All of this, of course, is surrounded by the sea. In the summer months, visitors flock to the region to enjoy days paddling in the water and building sandcastles on Folkestone’s sandy shorelines.

Sunny Sands, located in the heart of Folkestone Harbour, is the area’s main and is a sandy stretch which has waters ideal for swimming. So much so, in fact, that there are regular wild swimming groups – some of whom even brave a dip in the colder winter months.

Mermaids Beach is located opposite the Lower Leas Coastal Park, and while the waters are great for a swim, this is a pebble beach.

Or, adjacent to the Warren Country Park is The Warren, which is a haven for rock pools and fossil hunting.

House prices in Folkestone vary depending on the type of property you are after. According to Rightmove, properties in Folkestone had an overall average price of £313,560 over the last year. Rightmove states: “The majority of sales in Folkestone during the last year were terraced properties, selling for an average price of £290,132.

“Flats sold for an average of £210,651, with semi-detached properties fetching £370,118.”

However, with direct trains between Folkestone and the capital taking on average one hour and 15 minutes, it’s a good option for those who want to enjoy the benefits of coastal life while still working in London.



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