Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Folkestone Named One of Time Out’s Top UK Seaside Destinations for 2026

The Time Out ranking combined with the new King Charles III Coastal Path is expected to drive more day trips and boost Folkestone’s creative and waterfront businesses.

Overview

  • Time Out placed Folkestone fourth on its 2026 list of UK seaside destinations, a ranking reported by multiple outlets that has raised the town’s profile this summer.
  • The newly opened King Charles III Coastal Path now makes the entire UK shoreline walkable, encouraging more walkers to include Folkestone on coastal itineraries.
  • Creative Folkestone’s regeneration programme has restored more than 90 buildings to form a creative quarter of studios, cafés and galleries that anchors the town’s cultural offer.
  • The Harbour Arm has been redeveloped from a former ferry terminal into a promenade hosting over 70 independent food, drink and retail vendors and regular live events.
  • Sunny Sands sits beside the harbour and is popular with families and London day-trippers, but local businesses warn that summer demand will put pressure on parking and capacity at peak times.