Mermaid Beach, Folkestone and the Best of the Kent Coast

Kent's coast is only an hour from London by high-speed train, yet it feels a world away: white chalk cliffs, shingle beaches lined with colourful huts, oyster bars, art galleries and seaside towns that have reinvented themselves in recent years. Folkestone, in particular, has become a creative hub – and its small Mermaid Beach, with rocks laid out in the shape of a giant tail, has become a social media favourite described by visitors as "like being abroad".

This guide covers Folkestone's highlights and the best of the Kent coast, from the White Cliffs of Dover to Margate and Whitstable, plus how to get there and when to go.

Kent coast at a glance

Quick facts
Getting there	High-speed trains from London St Pancras to Folkestone, Dover, Margate and Ramsgate
How long to stay	A day trip, or a weekend to see several towns
Best time to visit	May–September for the beach; spring and autumn for walking
Best for	Day trips from London, art, seafood, coastal walks

1. Mermaid Beach

On Folkestone's seafront, rocks and boulders have been arranged to form the shape of a giant mermaid's tail on the shingle, with pastel beach huts and greenery on the slope behind. It's a lovely spot for a walk and photos, especially at sunrise or on a calm evening. Above the beach, a small café looks out over the sea. The beach is mainly shingle, so bring sturdy footwear.

2. The Harbour Arm

Folkestone's old harbour railway pier, once used by cross-Channel trains, has been transformed into a promenade with food stalls, bars, a champagne bar in the old lighthouse and live music in summer. On clear days you can see France across the Channel. The restored Harbour Station, with its old platforms, is now a garden walkway.

3. The Creative Quarter

Steep, cobbled streets – including the Old High Street – lead down to the harbour, lined with galleries, artists' studios, independent shops and cafés. Folkestone also has an outdoor collection of public artworks from its Triennial festival, scattered around the town and beaches – look out for them as you walk.

4. The Leas and coastal walks

The Leas is a grand clifftop promenade with gardens, a bandstand and views over the Channel. The Leas Lift, a Victorian water-balanced cliff railway, has been undergoing restoration – check whether it's running. Below, the Lower Leas Coastal Park has woodland paths and a large playground. Walk east past the harbour to the Warren, a wild undercliff of chalk and woodland.

5. The White Cliffs of Dover

Walk along the clifftops from the National Trust visitor centre to the South Foreland Lighthouse for views of the famous chalk cliffs, the busy port and – on clear days – France. Dover Castle, one of England's most impressive castles, has secret wartime tunnels used during the evacuation of Dunkirk.

6. Margate

Turner Contemporary, a gallery overlooking the sea where the painter J.M.W. Turner once stayed, anchors Margate's revival. The town has a long sandy beach, a tidal pool, the Shell Grotto – a mysterious underground passage covered in millions of shells – vintage shops in the Old Town and the restored Dreamland amusement park.

7. Whitstable

A charming fishing town famous for oysters, served at harbour-side shacks and seafood restaurants. Stroll past the beach huts on the shingle, browse the independent shops on Harbour Street and watch the sunset over the sea. It's about 20 minutes from Canterbury – see our Canterbury guide.

Getting there

High-speed trains link London St Pancras with Folkestone (under an hour), Dover, Margate, Ramsgate and Canterbury, so the Kent coast is easy to explore without a car. A rover-style rail ticket can make it easy to visit several towns. Driving, the M20 and M2 connect London with the coast in about one and a half to two hours.

Tips

• Pack layers – the coast is often breezy, even in summer.
• Shingle beaches are hard on bare feet; bring beach shoes.
• Check tide times before walking on beaches below the cliffs.
• Combine Folkestone and Dover in one day, or Margate and Whitstable in another.

For more coastal ideas, see our guide to the UK's best seaside towns.