Nestled between two cliffs on the southern edge of the North Downs is the seaside town of Folkestone. Given its coastal location, the town attracts a significant amount of tourists each year, with direct train links from London. The town has been named as one of the most photo-worthy towns in England after researchers from Cotswold Outdoor studied the UK’s most Instagrammaed locations away from the hustle and bustle of big cities.
Based on their research, the team found that Folkestone was the most snapped town. In their report, Cotswold Outdoor said: “Folkestone leads the study with 443,491 Instagram hashtags, spotlighting its vibrant coastal life and artistic streets. Not only was Folkestone the most snapped town, but it was more popular than any other rural location analysed in the study!”
In recent years, Folkestone has undergone major regeneration projects to inject new life into some of its more tired areas, and as a result, the town also found itself topping a list of “best places to live” in the UK earlier this year.
The list was compiled by the Sunday Times, which ranked areas to live around the UK based on region.
Folkestone was named the ultimate winner for the southeast of England, in part thanks to the regeneration project in the town, but also for its quirky and artistic atmosphere.
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Folkestone has multiple beaches to choose from.
Sunny Sands, located in the heart of Folkestone Harbour, is the area’s main beach and is a sandy stretch which has waters ideal for swimming. So much so, in fact, that there are regular wild swimming groups – some of whom even brave a dip in the colder winter months.
Mermaids Beach is situated opposite the Lower Leas Coastal Park, and while the waters are great for a swim, this is a pebble beach.
Or, adjacent to the Warren Country Park is The Warren, which is a haven for rock pools and fossil hunting.
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Those looking to snap a colourful picture will love Folkestone’s creative quarter.
Home to hundreds of artists, Folkestone has a proud Creative Quarter home to galleries, studios independent boutiques, bars, cafés and restaurants all linked by cobbled streets. Colourful shopfronts line the high street and it has been described by locals as “a really vibrant, buzzy place to be at the moment”.
At the heart of the Creative Quarter is Folkestone art gallery which exhibits the work of local artists and those from further afield across its two floors.
(Image: Getty Images)