Photo: The Esplanade, Sandgate by Tim Heaton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped.
The shortest walk from Folkestone Central into town follows Cheriton Road, and it will get you here, but it is not the nicest way to arrive. From Folkestone West, the main walk goes straight down Sandgate Hill into Sandgate. From Central, there is a better walk, longer on the map, that takes you over The Leas, then to us. From West, if you have more time, there is a longer walk along The Leas and through the Lower Leas Coastal Park.
You’ll find the step-by-step directions on our Walk from the station page, with an Open in Google Maps link for each route. From Folkestone Central, the maps default is about 15 minutes on Google Maps (0.7 miles), straight along Cheriton Road. Another way in follows Cheriton Road, crosses at the Cheriton Gardens junction, and goes along Cheriton Gardens south-east to Bouverie Square, passing south of the hoarded park site, then along Sandgate Road, Rendezvous Street and Church Street. That walk is about 17 minutes on Google Maps (0.8 miles). The longer scenic walk is about 28 minutes (1.3 miles), through Kingsnorth Gardens and along The Leas. The short walk on to the harbour is about 6 minutes (0.3 miles) from The Pullman, via Rendezvous Street and The Old High Street. From Folkestone West, the main walk starts at Station Approach, on the south side of the station, and goes straight down Sandgate Hill into Sandgate. That walk is about 26 minutes on Google Maps (1.2 miles). Coolinge Lane and Sandgate Hill are both steep. If you have more time, the longer walk along The Leas and through the Lower Leas Coastal Park is about 58 minutes (2.6 miles), via Shorncliffe Road and Earls Avenue, with about 190 feet of climbing in places.
A nicer walk than the maps default
Maps will usually offer the shortest line. From Folkestone Central that means a long stretch of Cheriton Road, which is a bit grim if you have just got off the train. From Folkestone West the main walk is Coolinge Lane and Sandgate Hill, straight down to Sandgate High Street. Coolinge Lane and Sandgate Hill are both steep.
From Central, the walk over The Leas takes longer on the map, and is worth it: you go through Kingsnorth Gardens and along The Leas before you come into town. There is also a way in along Cheriton Road, then Cheriton Gardens to Bouverie Square, passing south of the hoarded park site, and on along Sandgate Road into town. A new park is being created on the former bus station site at Bouverie Square, as part of Folkestone: A Brighter Future. The park is not yet open. From West, if you have more time, there is a longer walk along The Leas and through the Lower Leas Coastal Park, to The Ship Inn.
From Folkestone Central, via the gardens and The Leas
Folkestone Central sits beside Kingsnorth Gardens, and there is a step-free way out of the station. If you want a quicker walk into town than the one over The Leas, you can follow Cheriton Road, cross at the Cheriton Gardens junction, and go along Cheriton Gardens south-east to Bouverie Square, passing south of the hoarded park site, then along Sandgate Road, Rendezvous Street and Church Street. A new park is being created on the former bus station site at Bouverie Square, as part of Folkestone: A Brighter Future. The park is not yet open.
From the garden, zebra crossings take you over to Castle Hill Avenue, which has a tree-lined path down the middle, and then you come out on The Leas, Folkestone’s clifftop promenade.
Visit Kent has a short official page about The Leas. On a clear day there is a wide view out to sea, and you pass Leas Cliff Hall as you go.
Leave The Leas by West Terrace, then come into town along Sandgate Road.
The Pullman is on Church Street. Panataria, Luben and Cat & Fiddle are on Rendezvous Street, a few doors from one another. Union, on the same street, opens soon.
The Road of Remembrance is closed, and so is the Leas Lift. The walk into town does not use either of them.
A short walk on to the harbour
From Rendezvous Street or Church Street it is a short walk down The Old High Street, through the Creative Quarter, to Harbour Street. The Old High Street is cobbled and steep, so this harbour branch is not easy with a buggy or a wheelchair.
Harbour Inn is at 24 to 26 Harbour Street, and London & Paris Hotel is next door. The hotel is adults-only. From there you can carry on to the Harbour Arm if you want to, and come back to Harbour Inn afterwards.
From Folkestone West to The Ship Inn, Sandgate
The Ship Inn is at 65 Sandgate High Street, Sandgate, Kent CT20 3AH, with the beach just across the road. There is a step-free way out of Folkestone West.
The main walk starts at Station Approach, on the south side of the station, where there is a step-free way out. It goes along Shorncliffe Road and Audley Road, down Coolinge Lane, and straight down Sandgate Hill into Sandgate. Coolinge Lane and Sandgate Hill are both steep. That walk is about 26 minutes on Google Maps (1.2 miles).
If you have more time, there is a longer walk out to The Leas, down into the Lower Leas Coastal Park, and west along the coast into Sandgate. It is about 58 minutes on Google Maps (2.6 miles). The Zig Zag Path and the steps at Radnor Cliff are open, and this longer walk has steps, so it is not step-free.
Near the High Street, a short way north, Enbrook Park is open to walk through, but access may change, so check on the day.
Before you set off
Both stations have a step-free way out. From Folkestone West, start at Station Approach, on the south side of the station. Coolinge Lane and Sandgate Hill are steep. The Old High Street, down to the harbour, is cobbled and steep, and is not easy with a buggy or a wheelchair. The longer West walk has steps, so it is not step-free.
These walks are recommended in daylight only. The Lower Leas Coastal Park has lighting and CCTV, according to Folkestone & Hythe District Council.
If you are walking a dog
Dogs are welcome in the bar areas at The Pullman, The Ship Inn, Harbour Inn and Cat & Fiddle, and at Panataria. They are not allowed in the restaurant areas. Assistance dogs are welcome everywhere, including Luben, which cannot have other dogs inside because it has no bar. Our dog-friendly pubs guide sets out the house rules.
Questions
How do I walk from Folkestone Central station to your venues?
The longer scenic walk goes through Kingsnorth Gardens, along Castle Hill Avenue and over The Leas, then into town. Another way in is along Cheriton Road, then Cheriton Gardens to Bouverie Square, and on along Sandgate Road, Rendezvous Street and Church Street. A new park is being created on the former bus station site at Bouverie Square. The park is not yet open. Step-by-step directions are on our Walk from the station page.
How do I walk from Folkestone West to The Ship Inn?
The main walk starts at Station Approach, on the south side of the station, and goes straight down Sandgate Hill into Sandgate. Coolinge Lane and Sandgate Hill are both steep. There is a longer walk along The Leas and through the Lower Leas Coastal Park if you have more time. That longer walk has steps. Directions are on our Walk from the station page.
Is The Ship Inn in Folkestone or Sandgate?
The Ship Inn is at 65 Sandgate High Street, Sandgate, Kent CT20 3AH, with the beach just across the road.
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Book a table →Written by Jonnii, L&B Marketing.