Let’s be honest: Folkestone isn’t Brighton. It’s not trying to be. There’s a raw edge to it, like your favorite pair of jeans that have a hole in the knee. The seafront is gorgeous on a sunny day—candy-coloured beach huts, a pebbly beach, and a pier that doesn’t try too hard.
But then you walk five minutes inland and boom, you’re in a charity shop time capsule. It’s a mix of adorable and “oh, that shop hasn’t changed since 1987.” That contrast is the whole charm, honestly.
The Creative Quarter: Hipster Heaven or Expensive Hell?
The Old High Street is where the magic happens. It’s steep, narrow, and full of indie art galleries, vintage stores, and cafes that charge £4 for a flat white. You’ll see a guy with a man bun arguing about vinyl records. Cute, right?
But here’s the kicker: affordability. Compared to London, you can buy a terrace house here for the price of a parking space in Zone 2. That’s a big, fat yes. Rents are rising, though, so don’t expect a bargain basement forever.
