Folkestone
Folkestone
Folkestone in Kent is an important port and tourist centre in the region. Folkestone is a part of Folkestone and Hythe local government district with its own town council. Folkestone has a population of about 25,000 people. Folkestone’s economy was originally based on fishing and trade but today it relies heavily on tourism to support the small port. Folkestone harbour is home to Europe’s largest cross-channel ferry operated by P&O Ferries that takes passengers from Folkstone to Calais in France which is then connected to Dover in Britain by a car shuttle train service.
Folkestone began as a fishing village whose natural harbour allowed traders ships from mainland Europe safe passage during ancient wars where they could find protection within Folkestone bay, Folkestone was an important port in ancient Roman times.
Created: 31 October 2021 Edited: 29 November 2023
Folkestone
Local History around Folkestone
There are some historic monuments around including:
Martello tower no 5 at Folkestone School for GirlsRoyal Military Canal, Twiss Road Bridge to Seabrook Lodge BridgeShorncliffe Redoubt, Shorncliffe CampAn unenclosed Iron Age urnfield and Roman villa, 60m ESE of No.64 Wear Bay RoadMedieval ringwork with bailey and approach causeway, incorporating a bowl barrow on Castle HillMartello tower no 9, Sandgate, FolkestoneMartello tower no 6, Sandgate, FolkestoneBowl barrow 150m north east of Red House FarmRoyal Military Canal, Seabrook Lodge Bridge to Seabrook SluiceMartello tower no 7, Sandgate, FolkestoneTwo Martello towers, East CliffBowl barrow at Minnis BeechesTwo bowl barrows 400m north of Milgate Farm in Reinden WoodMartello tower no 4, Cliff Road, FolkestoneBowl barrow on Arpinge RangeRoyal Military Canal, Shorncliffe Battery wallSandgate CastleBowl barrow and pillbox on Cherry Garden Hill.Wildlife in and Around Folkestone
Mammals found in Folkestone
There have been 21 species of mammals recorded in the folkestone area.
| 45 Khz Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) |
| Bank Vole (Myodes glareolus) |
| Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) |
| Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) |
| Common Shrew (Sorex araneus) |
| Badger (Meles meles) |
| Bottle-nosed Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) |
| Brown Long-Eared Bat (Plecotus auritus) |
| Common Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) |
| Domestic Cat (Felis catus) |
Tap here for more mammals found in and around Folkestone
Birds found in Folkestone
There have been 50 species of birds recorded in the folkestone area.
| (Anthus spinoletta/petrosus agg.) |
| Bank Myna (Acridotheres ginginianus) |
| Brent Goose (Branta bernicla) |
| Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) |
| Common Swift (Apus apus) |
| Alpine Swift (Apus melba) |
| Bar-Headed Goose (Anser indicus) |
| Buzzard (Buteo buteo) |
| Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) |
| Dark-bellied Brent Goose (Branta bernicla subsp. bernicla) |
Tap here for more birds found in and around Folkestone
Fish found in Folkestone
There have been 40 species of fish recorded in the folkestone area.
| Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) |
| Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) |
| Bream (Abramis brama) |
| Butterfish (Pholis gunnellus) |
| Chub (Squalius cephalus) |
| Ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta) |
| Bib (Trisopterus luscus) |
| Bullhead (Cottus gobio) |
| Carp (Cyprinus carpio) |
| Cod (Gadus morhua) |
