Folkestone is a coastal resort town in the Shepway district of Kent, England, located at the eastern end of the M20 which provides fast access to Ashford, Maidstone, London and the M25. The A20 is motorway-standard to Dover. Folkestone also marks the eastern end of the A259 South Coast Trunk Road with access to Hastings, Eastbourne and beyond. To the north, roads connect Folkestone to Canterbury and the nearby villages of Elham and Lyminge.

The town is served by two railway stations, Folkestone West and Folkestone Central, as described in the "Folkestone Railways" section.

Although the tourist industry was still maintained, the closure of the ferry services between here and Boulogne seemed to spell the town’s demise. In 2004 talks have begun with Boulogne, Folkestone's twin town, which also had similar problems, and rebuilding of the town's infrastructure has begun.

New Developments

There has been significant physical redevelopment of the local town centre in a bid to make it more acceptable to tourists, the local community and the UK's newspapers alike.

The likelihood that domestic services will be able to use the High Speed Rail Link, placing Folkestone less than one hour from London by High Speed Train is expected to contribute to a revival of Folkestone's fortunes.

Folkestone Creative Quarter

The Creative Foundation is a new charitable organisation which is acquiring a large number of run-down properties in the Creative Quarter of Folkestone (the oldest part of town, including the Old High Street and The Bayle), renovating them and letting them at long-term affordable rents as work-spaces for artists and creative businesses(some with living accommodation).

Over 100 creative individuals are already in residence and more are taking up space as the renovation work is completed.

The Strange Cargo Arts Company is central to the creative quarter, and Georges House Gallery holds frequent exhibitions by local artists.

The vision is to attract people to live, work and visit, creating a vibrant and exciting environment buzzing with life and ideas, bustling with studios, shops, galleries, street art, festivals, cafes and restaurants providing a long term sustainable future for Folkestone as a centre for creativity.