A Guide to Folkestone, Sandgate & Hythe

All nestled beside each other on a five-mile stretch of the south coast, Folkestone, Sandgate and Hythe offer ample allure for a weekend or short break. An important harbour and port for hundreds of years, Folkestone is often overlooked as a holiday destination, but it is more recently getting the attention it so deserves. Brimming with history, art and character, the town was once the fashionable holiday resort for the Edwardian crowd, who constructed countless impressive townhouses, villas and hotels in the West End – you can still admire these today.

Just a couple of miles west, Sandgate is a charming village with a series of castle-like forts, a smattering of shops and a pleasant waterfront esplanade spanning its entire length. Another few miles on and you’ll arrive in Hythe, an old market town with medieval origins – once an important Cinque Port, it is home to the scenic Royal Military Canal, which travels an impressive 28 miles and today forms part of the larger Saxon Shore Way. With independent art scenes, cute cafes and plenty of opportunity to stretch your legs, these three Kent resorts offer a perfect trifecta for a glorious getaway. Keep reading to discover some of our ‘must-dos’ while you’re there.   

Parking in Sandgate: Again, there are lots of convenient places to park if you’re visiting the area by car. Parking options in Sandgate include:  

• Castle Road Car Park (CT20 3AY) – paid outdoor parking with day rates roughly around £6; free outside of charging hours 8am-6pm.​
• Wilberforce Road Car Park (CT20 3JZ) – paid outdoor parking with day rates around £6 and free outside charging hours 8am-6pm.​
• Lower Sandgate Road West Car Park (CT20 2BY) – paid outdoor parking open 8am-8pm with hourly and daily rates up to £24.​

Parking in Hythe: There are lots of places to park throughout Hythe, but your best bet for central access is likely Mount Street Car Park (CT21 5AL), which is a larger car park offering good accessibility and convenience.​

Where to stay in Folkestone, Sandgate & Hythe

Each of these three coastal resorts is perfect for a blissful break beside the seaside. For characterful cottages and contemporary townhouses, look no further than our curated collections of holiday cottages in Folkestone, Sandgate and Hythe.    

What to do in Folkestone, Sandgate & Hythe 

There are so many things to do throughout the area, but we’ve whittled this list down to some of our favourites. Here are some great things to do: 

• Walk, row or fish along the Royal Military Canal. You can enjoy this scenic stretch of water in several different ways, including by hiring a rowing boat from The Boat Hut and having your Notebook moment. 
• Wander the Folkestone Harbour Arm and enjoy shopping, eating, drinking or even catching a film or sporting event on their big outdoor screen. If you’re there at low tide, go and find Antony Gormley’s iconic human statue, which overlooks the water. 
• Enjoy some independent shopping. Each high street is teeming with lovely little boutiques, but some great places to start are Hythe’s Malthouse Arcade and Folkestone’s colourful Creative Quarter.  
• Visit the macabre Crypt of St Leonard’s Chruch off Hythe’s High Street – home to the largest and best-preserved collection of ancient human skulls and bones in Britain, with more than 1,000 skulls in total.
• Experience the cafe culture – there are so many fantastic coffee, brunch and pastry spots for you to get your fix. We love Mocka and the adorable Steep Street in Folkestone, Mr Whippets in Sandgate and The Truffle Pig in Hythe – also in Hythe, don’t miss Florence’s Artisan Bakery – the sweet treats are works of art and the white bloomer won Britain’s Best Loaf in 2025!    
• Visit some of Folkestone’s many galleries – as the home of a tri-annual arts festival, Folkestone is teeming with inspiring creatives. There are lots of independent options, but Kollectiv is a great place to see local talent under one roof, while Rennies offers more of a shopping experience.  
• Venture East to the Warren Country Park. Formed by the landslides of a bygone era, this is a great spot for fossil hunting, dog walking, and just generally enjoying the great outdoors. 
• Admire some of Folkestone’s elegant architecture, including The Leas, Radnor Lodge and the Harbour Arm’s Lighthouse. 

Where to eat in Folkestone, Sandgate & Hythe 

With a setting that allows for fresh seafood along with the produce of rolling pastures, this captivating corner of Kent is a foodie haven. Below, we’ve listed some of our favourite food spots throughout Folkestone, Sandgate & Hythe. 

• A mainstay within this guide, Folkestone’s Harbour Arm is brimming with great places to eat. All housed within converted containers, you’ll find everything from delicious wood-fired pizzas to a deli dedicated to our four-legged friends. 
• Occupying a show-stopping spot within the harbour wall, Folkestone’s Rocksalt is a local icon bringing fine dining to Kentish produce, with a side of stunning sea views.   
• Proudly (and deservedly) holding two Michelin stars, Hide and Fox is a quaint neighbourhood spot in Hythe’s Saltwood area. Once the village shop, this small but perfectly formed eatery is the place to head for something special. 
• Head to Caffe Il Remo in Hythe for Italian bites worthy of any Nonna, including knockout tiramisu and Neapolitan pizza by the slice. 
• Craving fish and chips at the coast? We don’t blame you. Our go-tos across the area are The Lazy Shack in Hythe, Sandy’s in Folkestone (or the Ship Inn on the harbour if you want to eat indoors) and The Little Fish Shop in Sandgate. 
• Mimosa is one of Sandgate’s most popular eateries, serving up moreish Mediterranean plates with excellent cocktails. 

Where to drink in Folkestone, Sandgate & Hythe 

The largest of the trio, Folkestone is teeming with bustling places to grab a drink. The Harbour Arm is a safe bet, and it’s also where you’ll find The Pilot Bar (think cocktails and beers on the beach) and the Lighthouse Champagne Bar. For a wine bar, speakeasy and small plates vibe, The Potting Shed is a delightful and decadent watering hole. If it’s an old-school pub you’re after, it doesn’t get much older than The British Lion, which has roots reaching back to the 1500s. 

In the slightly smaller Sandgate, don’t miss a visit to the Famous Ship Inn, where maritime decor, sea views and flickering candlelight make for a glorious experience in any season. Elsewhere, the Earl of Clarendon is a compact and charming option with arguably some of the best ‘beer garden’ views from the street seating outside.  

Hythe is bursting with characterful pubs, with local favourites including The Three Mariners, The Hope Inn and the Moët and Chandon Champagne Bar in the town’s iconic Hythe Imperial Hotel.