local travel INDEX
1. Folkestone Harbour
Monica Lindsay discovers
international art, hidden parks and – of course – fi sh and chips in Folkestone
J
A Grande
ust like Margate, no one could ever accuse Folkestone of being twee or ‘poncey’. So, while it’s never going to be the south-east’s answer to Sidmouth, its made- over harbour and creative quarter, impressive Edwardian architecture, lovely parks and sheltered bays for paddling,
mean it’s certainly got plenty to lure visitors. Especially now, in the last month of its 12-week Triennial. One of the most ambitious public art projects presented in the UK, the Folkestone Triennial invites artists to use the town as their canvas, utilising public spaces to create striking pieces that refl ect issues affecting both Folkestone and the wider world, with this year’s theme, ‘A Million Miles From Home’. The event is the fl agship project of the Creative Foundation, a charity based in Folkestone that’s done truly great things in promoting a large-scale renewal of the quirky old-town area close to the harbour. Some 60 buildings on Tontine Street and the Old High Street have been redeveloped, breathing life into previously uninhabitable spaces and providing attractive work and living options for creative tenants.
Keeping children busy
9. Folkestone's Creative Quarter June 2011 12
Many of the Triennial installations – and especially the ones we’ve highlighted – should appeal to children (mine, aged six and nine,
certainly enjoyed them – though admittedly the odd ice-cream- fl avoured bribe to keep going did help – but other good options for littlies include the water jets that rise up from the ground intermittently in the harbour area – best if children are modelling their bathing costumes or if you’ve got a change of clothing with you. A little further along the coast don’t miss a meander through the lovely Lower Leas, which features a hidden park with tubes to slide through and walls to climb.
Shopping
The Creative Quarter, with its galleries, thrift shops and boutiques is defi nitely worth pottering round – visit Rennies for mid-20th century furniture and accessories, while The Boutique has a great line in affordable high-glamour women’s party-wear (and they do bespoke, too).
Refreshments & accommodation
The big news for the town this year has been the opening of Rock Salt, a harbourside restaurant run by Folkestone
www.indexmagazine.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68