With the unbearable London heat getting us down, many might be thinking of taking a break from the city and heading for the coast.
And while the weather can still be just as scorching at the beach, there’s just something so magical about being by the sea.
If you’re not feeling Brighton or Bournemouth and want to go somewhere a little different, then we’ve found just the place, as there’s a town that’s just 58 minutes from London by train and you’ll have not one, not two, but five different beaches to take your pick from.
Folkestone in Kent is the town in question and there are four different beaches in and around the town itself, including Folkestone Beach (AKA Outer Harbour Beach), Sunny Sands, Mermaid Beach and The Warren. Plus there’s also Sandgate, which is a little village close to the town with its own beach.
In Tripadvisor reviews, those who have visited have called the town and its beaches a ‘true gem’, ‘enchanting’, ‘the best’, ‘peaceful’ and ‘picturesque’.
Here’s everything you need to know before you go…
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Which Folkestone beach is best?
If you aren’t a fan of a pebble or shingle beach, you’ll want to head to Sunny Sands, as it’s the only one of the five that is a sandy beach.
Katie warns that because of this, it’s also the busiest of the bunch, so that’s something to keep in mind when visiting in the height of summer.
The beach gets its name from the formation of rocks on the shore, which look a bit like the end of a mermaid’s tail and are a sea defence.
If you’re looking for somewhere a little quirkier and a good spot to swim, Mermaid Beach could be the one for you.
‘My favourite beach is Mermaid Beach, as the shape of the rocks means it’s a bit sheltered and you don’t get affected by the tide/current while swimming as much,’ Katie adds.
In terms of the other beaches, Folkestone Beach, which is next to the south pier of Folkestone harbour, is often a little less crowded than others, as its set against a more industrial backdrop. There’s also a boardwalk made from old railway sleepers running along it for those who don’t want to walk on the shingle.
Those looking for natural beauty might want to head to The Warren, which is adjacent to The Warren Country Park. It’s got a background of dramatic cliffs and is said to be a place for fossil hunting and investigating rock pools.
Sandgate offers pretty views and is close to the village high street. It’s generally considered a great spot to relax or swim, but in May 2025 a warning was issued urging people to avoid the beach due to ‘pollution from sewage’, so you might want to do your research before diving in.
Things to do in Folkestone
Aside from the beaches, there’s plenty more to see and do in Folkestone, as Katie can attest to.
She’s shared her top recommendations for those considering a day trip to the area.
‘I would suggest a little wander down the main road in Sandgate, it’s got some lovely pubs, tap rooms, wine bars and cafes plus indie/vintage shops.
‘In Folkestone town itself, Steep Street is by far the best café, their cakes are incredible and the coffee is also delicious.
‘The Harbour Arm and Old High Street are also lovely, they get a lot of press but it’s deserved, so many indie businesses/cafes/bars/restaurants to choose from!
‘I also like a picnic in Kingsnorth Gardens, not far from Folkestone Central station.’
She adds: ‘There’s also a great coastal walk/cycle route between Folkestone and Dover, it’s about 10 miles long and you can get views to France across the Channel, the White Cliffs of Dover, the White Horse etched into the hills above Folkestone, it’s all very scenic and lovely.’
How to get to Folkestone from London
Folkestone has two train stations – Folkestone West and Folkestone Central.
Folkestone West is quicker to get to, with a high speed train from St Pancras taking just 56 minutes, but the same train to Central is only two minutes further at 58 minutes.
The faster train will cost you a little more money though, so if you want to save some cash, there are slower trains from Charing Cross, St Pancras or Cannon Street to either of the stations. These take on average around an hour and a half.
If you’re not sure which station to go to, Katie recommends heading for Folkestone Central.
‘I’d say Central is the best for visitors, as Folkestone West is mainly for commuters who drive and park there,’ Katie explains.
But there is a bit of a catch…
‘Despite being called Central it’s not actually that central to the town, it’s probably about a five to 10 minute walk to the high street and about 25 minutes to the beach, which involves taking a zig-zag path down the cliff.’
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