There is good boat, beach and pier fishing in Folkestone. Catch conger, cod, bass, bream, flatfish, whiting, pouting and pollack, with mackerel in mid-summer. Cod is caught from boats on the Varne Bank all through the year, but from the shore Oct-Feb only. Beach fishing is best dusk onwards for bass and conger. The Warren produces good catches of cod in winter and bass in summer. Some good offshore marks. Popular rock spots are Rotunda Beach, Mermaid Point, and Sandgate Riviera. The Pier is open to anglers at £2 per day. Click here to buy a fishing license online.
Folkestone is a great place to collect fossils, especially ammonites. The fossils are from the Cretaceous era (110-80 million years ago). The best place to look is among the rocks on the beach below the clay cliffs at Copt Point. One of the best places to get down to the beach is from the car park at the Warren. Go down to the beach and walk along in the direction of Copt Point and East Cliff. The cliff is made of Gault clay and is full of fossils. Be careful to keep an eye on the time and tides. Before you even get to the rocks, you can look among the pebbles and gravel on the shore for fossils - including shells, belemnites and fossilised wood. More fossils from the Gault clay can be found in among the rocks. Be careful walking on the rocks. The fossils found here can include many types of ammonite. Most fossils are made of black phosphate, but some are made of iron pyrites and so need washing and varnishing.

There are many fine walks in and around the town. Along the East Cliff toward Dover, for example, are great green areas, ideal for picnics. Above the town on the edge of the North Downs is the hill known as Caesar's Camp; this is excellent rambling country and offers splendid views over the town, the cliffs, and the Channel.
The pedestrian shopping area in the centre of Folkestone includes buildings sympathetically restored and with Georgian stone columns. There are many interesting shops down these winding streets, especially the old curiosity shops. There is also a cinema showing the latest movies.
Up on the heights you'll find The Leas Promenade. During the summer months this mile-long area is awash with colour provided by beautiful bedding and herbaceous plants. The bandstand on the prom hosts regular outdoor concerts (click here for details) and the famous Leas Cliff Hall holds live entertainment throughout the year.
Just along Lower Sandgate Road, which runs parallel with the sea front, is the South East's largest children's play area - the Folkestone Lower Leas Coastal Park.
From the prom you can see the Victorian Leas Cliff Lift which hugs the cliff face and connected The Leas with the sea front. Not far from the lower Leas Cliff Lift entrance a new development is taking place where the Rotunda, Folkestone's traditional seaside amusements attraction stood. There are plans for a multi-million pound leisure and residential complex with bowling alley, multiplex cinema, bingo hall, and health club.

In 1805, under threat of French invasion, three defensive Martello towers were built east of the town. Most of the original 74 South Coast Martello Towers have been washed away by an encroaching sea undermining them, others succumbed to the explosives and hammers of property developers and the Royal Engineers, or shot and shell of the Royal Artillery.
Folkestone was considerably damaged in World War II both by enemy raids and cross Channel artillery bombardment.

Kent’s only racecourse can be found at Westenhanger, five miles from Folkestone. Top jockeys, trainers and owners are regular visitors for both steeplechase and flat meetings at this highly regarded traditional country course. Occasional evening meetings take place in the summer. Tel: 01342 834800 for details.
View from Sugar Loaf Hill