A short history

Folkestone’s modern history starts in the mid-nineteenth century, with the
coming of the railway to the town. Famous for its warm climate and
beneficial air Folkestone became one of Britain's most fashionable resorts.

The town attracted royal patronage as well as distinguished literary figures
and artists, including Agatha Christie, Joseph Conrad, Ian Fleming, George
Bernard Shaw, Turner and HG Wells.

Much of the infrastructure was built in the late Victorian and Edwardian
period, including the elegant cliff top promenade called the Leas, and the
monumental Metropole and Grand hotels, but tourism was changing. Wealthier
patrons began to travel further overseas. Package holidays brought
continental European destinations within easy reach of everyone. People came
to Folkestone for a day out, rather than an extended stay.

In the 1980s the Channel Tunnel construction brought a temporary boom, but
when the tunnel opened the town’s ferry business collapsed and although its
elegant infrastructure remained in place, property values across the town
were well below south eastern averages.

Despite a decline in its fortunes Folkestone has been turning the tide in
recent years with projects such as the new Bouverie Place Shopping Centre
opening in the town centre and the redevelopment of the 11-hectare Lower
Leas Coastal Park site which now has 300-seat outdoor amphitheatre,
beautiful landscaping and an extensive children’s playground attracting
500,000 visitors per year.

The Future
From 13 December 2009 passenger services to London on the high speed rail
link are cutting journey times to less than an hour. Future regeneration
projects include a plan to transform Folkestone’s 25 acre seafront and
harbour site.