Folkestone isn't just a Euro Tunnel stop-off - there is plenty to explore locally. Families will enjoy the huge Sunny Sands beach at the eastern end of the harbour, while the gardens at Lower Leas Coastal Park has the largest free play area in the south east - including a sunken pirate ship. Easy access to the Kent Downs AONB is another major plus. Choose from these excellent Folkestone campsites.
Folkestone Dover, Capel Le Ferne, Kent (1.7 miles)
Basic motorhome site at a historical World War Two gun battery site with views of the English Channel.
Elham, Canterbury, Kent (6.7 miles)
Beautifully handcrafted shepherd's huts within the Kent Downs AONB on a working farm.
4.8 /5
Shepherdswell, Dover, Kent (7.2 miles)
A spacious and scenic site with private woodland, a short drive to Dover Ferry Port. Dogs and campfires welcome.
4.95 /5
Burmarsh, Dymchurch, Kent (7.2 miles)
A family-friendly site with plenty of activities for kids to enjoy, stunning views of Lympne.
4.66 /5
Stelling Minnis, Canterbury, Kent (7.8 miles)
Off-grid family camping on a car-free meadow with spacious pitches, campfires and coffees in the morning.
5 /5
Tilmanstone, Kent (10.6 miles)
Country pub with a beer garden and tasty menu. Touring pitches and ensuite glamping pods, 15 minutes to the beach.
4.43 /5
Ripple, Deal, Kent (11.9 miles)
Peaceful farm site with a homemade ice cream parlour and tractor rides, ten minutes from Deal Beach and Pier.
4.47 /5
Folkestone, Kent (1.9 miles)
This dramatic cliff-top members only site is an ideal base to explore the villages and coastline of Kent.
Capel-Le-Ferne, Folkestone, Kent (2.8 miles)
Touring and camping in a stunning coastal setting beside Folkestone and the English Channel.
Elham, Canterbury, Kent (7 miles)
Located in the Elham Valley with beautiful walks and hiking. Perfect for stop overs from or going to Europe.
Lympne, Hythe, Kent (7.2 miles)
A dream safari experience in luxurious accommodation, try a family-friendly short break with 700 animals in Kent.
Aldington, Ashford, Kent (9.3 miles)
Caravan and motorhome site with stunning Kentish views, 50 metres from the Royal Military Canal.
Dover, Kent (9.7 miles)
Just 4 miles from the Port of Dover, a site with 28 acres of space and a range of premium and standard pitches.
St Mary in the Marsh, Romney Marsh, Kent (11.5 miles)
Secluded and quiet back-to-basics camping for caravans. Set in Romney Marsh and close to the lovely seaside.
Folkestone is a vibrant and welcoming town with a fantastic arts and cultural scene, as well as easy access to the scenic North Downs Way. Peene Quarry is a worthy stop-off in the Kent Downs AONB.
Old meets new in the Creative Quarter, where you can admire historic architecture while perusing modern art, and discovering a good range of places to eat and drink. The famous Folkestone White Horse is also worth a look - a huge white horse outline which has been carved into Cheriton Hill and marks the English terminal of the Channel Tunnel. Were you planning a trip to Calais?
There are some excellent coastal walks to enjoy, including The Leas - a cliff top promenade with lovely sea views, leading to Lower Leas Coastal Park. It's sad that the Leas Lift is set to close due to lack of funding to replace a braking system.
The Elham Valley offers walks through woodlands, as well as numerous country pubs, while Romney Marsh and the RPSB reserve at Dungeness are also both good places to enjoy the fresh air.
Family friendly beaches include Sunny Sands and also Sandgate, just a short distance outside the town. Believe it or not, there are still unclaimed gold bars buried at the harbour beach (just next to Sunny Sands)! 30 bars weighing 10g and 20g (worth £10,000 in total) were buried by German artist Michael Sailstorfer back in 2014 - along with thousands of decoy washers to deter the metal detectors!
History fans will enjoy visits to nearby Capel Le Ferne, famed for its Battle of Britain memorial, and the Battle of Britain Museum at Hawkinge (also home to Terlingham Vineyard, where you can sample some of Kent's most famous wines).
Also nearby is Dover, with its legendary White Cliffs and castle.