Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Folkestone

Folkestone is a seaside town in Kent, 14 miles from Ashford.

The town is a popular seaside resort, and for many years was an important cross Channel ferry port. It was a limb of the Cinque Ports, being subordinate to Dover.

The Channel Tunnel starts at Cheriton, a little to the North of the town.

The Old Town is picturesque, with its pedestrianised High Street leading down from today`s shopping centre.

St. Mary and St. Eanswith Church is partly 12th century, and built on the site of a nunnery. It has an aisle commemorating William Harvey, a local man who discovered the circulation of the blood.

Nearby, The Bayle is the site of Folkestone`s Norman castle.

Spode House was the home of H. G. Wells, where he wrote some of his best known works, and used the town as a setting for "Kipps".

The superb promenade along the cliff top is called The Leas, and is linked to the Maritime Gardens by a hydraulic lift constructed in 1885.

The Road of Remembrance, planted with rosemary, is a memorial to the soldiers who did not come from the First World War.

Folkestone Warren, lying to the East of the town, was formed by a landslide in 1915 and is famous for wild flowers.

As well as William Harvey, Folkestone was the birthplace of the actress Audrey Hepburn.

Michael Howard, former leader of the Conservative Party, became the local Member of Parliament in 1983.

Eduouard Manet painted a picture called "The Departure of the Folkestone Boat" in 1869.

Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby is available to lead Guided Walks around Folkestone for groups.