'There used to be times when we had to travel at least 10 miles just to get groceries. Things have started looking up now “ but it's rather difficult to see how Folkestone can restore its importance in the economical sense of things.
Famed British actress June Brown is one of many notable residents of Folkestone, and her words quoted above reflect a distant sense of yearning about what her beloved home town once used to be.
It's a touch disappointing to see the fall from grace of Folkestone. What used to be one of the most important ports in the UK now remains a mildly popular tourist town where past still weighs heavy and future seems to hold very little in way of promises.
But every city and every town in the world has to endure this fate at one point of time or another. From metropolises like Paris to small time towns like Devon, the story is the same everywhere, and it would do us a world of good to think of Folkestone's present state as a mere bad streak.
So, shed the inhibitions, take a stand and make it a point to visit Folkestone during your next holiday. Glory or not “ Folkestone has a lot to put on your sightseeing platter, and we are sure you are going to love it!
Affordable Hotels and Inns in Folkestone
Folkestone is a distinctly English town located at the South East tip of mainland England. Blessed with three naturally deep port venues, it has acted as an important port for the trade of various goods between the UK and Europe. It all started in the 17th century when the town was allowed to build on the natural venues to create docks and quays. During the course of next 100 years, shipping and fishing became synonymous with the town, as much of the revenue that the town generated was thanks to these two industries.
And when there's shipping business about, you can be sure that the town houses a number of cheap hotels and affordable inns to house sailor and incoming visitors from distant lands. That culture of hospitality still prevails in Folkestone, as over 30 cheap hotels are up to be booked.
Sandgate Hotel and Premier Inn Folkestone are two representative options from this category. Not much unlike each other, they follow the universal tenet of cheap lodging “ spacious rooms, good level of comfort and prices that guests won't think twice about while paying.
Luxury Hotels, Resorts and Spas in Folkestone
Being a seaside town, it is also to be anticipated that a large number of visitors would invariably end up enjoying the natural beauty of the town. In seaside towns or cities, it's much uncommon to not find a single luxury hotel.
Folkestone, of course, doesn't turn out to be an exception to that tacit rule. It does house its fair share of luxury resorts alright, but one just cannot help but notice the fact that the town “ despite its long standing history of rich tourism potential “ has still not been able to attract even a single among many global hospitality chains like Hilton or Hyatt.
Grand Burstin Hotel is perhaps the most popular in this category of luxury hotels in Folkestone, What strikes one quite prominently even at the first sight is the augustness of the building that this hotel is housed inside. A huge façade that can only be found in Victorian buildings of the yore welcomes its patrons emphatically. From thereon, it's only an upward journey, as the hotel leaves no stone unturned in making sure that its guests receive the best hospitality. Because of this, while checking out, its routine for Burstin guests to feel that they have recovered the value of every single pence paid by them.
Sightseeing and Activities in Folkestone
There is a lot to see in Folkestone if you put your mind to it. From the English Channel Tunnel Entrance to Lower Lease Coastal Park, here is much to see and do for every type of tourist.
If you are an adventure seeker, you can go out and about and explore the local wildlife in one of many parks that exist in nearby woods. Otherwise, you can also explore water activities like kayaking and sailing in the English Channel. Being a famous fishing village of old times, fishing thrives in Folkestone quite nicely even today. So, getting your fishing gear on and let the fishing rod loose would be a good way to spend your vacation in Folkestone.
The thing you need to be aware of while sightseeing in Folkestone is that the town carries a certain legacy that cannot be altered or tampered with. So, being aware of that very fact will help you keep your trip more relevant and interesting. In the old town center, shopping is a major attraction. From various local artefacts to a number of souvenir, much can be bought here, provided that you have a shopper's eye and mind.
Apart from sightseeing, exploring the local English culinary scene will help you keep yourself on your feet throughout your journey!
Hotels Near Folkestone Airport
There is no reasonably nearby airport that you can reach Folkestone from. Most tourists choose to reach Folkestone by road or by train, meaning that finding hotels in Folkestone near the airport is a rather futile exercise.
There are quite a few Folkestone hotels near the train station, though and these can be booked at much cheaper rates, too!
When to Visit Folkestone?
The best time of the year to visit Folkestone is during summer high “ that is the month of June. This is when the weather is perfect and activities in Folkestone are at their peaks.
Also, a fishing frenzy around this time transforms Folkestone into a hubbub that is definitely worth enjoying. Folkestone hotels, however, tend to hike their prices quite high for the summer in order to make the most out of tourist footfall “ but that's much to be expected all over the world.