The quiet Kent beach that beats Brighton for a peaceful day out | UK | Travel

With summer drawing to a close, I’d been longing for a proper coastal escape, somewhere with open space, room to unwind, and none of the elbow-to-elbow chaos that tends to plague the more popular seaside destinations. So, on a spontaneous midweek outing, my mum and I bypassed the usual choices and made our way to Folkestone instead.

My previous visit had been in the depths of winter, yet Sunny Sands had stayed with me ever since. Even in the bitter cold, it was breathtakingly beautiful. A sweeping stretch of sand cradled by the harbour, with waves rolling in a shade that seemed almost too vivid to be real.

I recall perching on the brick wall above the beach, watching the water thunder against the shore and experiencing that rare, inexplicable calm that only the sea can provide.

That’s precisely why I was genuinely delighted when my mum proposed Folkestone once more. Destinations such as Brighton have their merits, but they seldom deliver that same sense of tranquillity when you’re frequently navigating crowds as much as the coastline itself.

What struck me most on this occasion was how serene Sunny Sands remained. Visitors were sunbathing, paddling, playing with their children and taking to the water, yet there was ample room for everyone.

In certain stretches, it felt almost deserted. It’s worth mentioning that I arrived on a Thursday evening at around 5pm. Even after the school run and the end of the working day, the beach remained pleasantly unhurried.

I got the sense that this beach is more of a “local favourite” than an “overrun day-trip magnet.” Sunny Sands stands as Folkestone’s most renowned beach, primarily because it’s among the few locations along this stretch of the Kent coastline that boast genuine golden sand rather than shingle.

Positioned directly beside the harbour, it offers that quintessential seaside experience: secure swimming conditions, amenities suitable for families, and the town centre within easy walking distance.

One notable difference I observed since my winter visit concerned the dogs. Back in December, I witnessed a pack of well-mannered dogs racing across the sand and paddling in the shallow waters, the sort of moment that makes you pause and grin.

This time, not a single dog was visible. According to Cotswolds Outdoor, dogs are prohibited from Sunny Sands between 10 am and 8pm from May 1 to September 30.

They remain permitted on other sections of Folkestone’s coastline throughout the year, as long as they’re kept under control.

A town offering multiple beaches

Should Sunny Sands not appeal to you, or you simply desire a different setting, Folkestone provides alternatives. Folkestone’s main beach (east of Sunny Sands) is an extensive shingle expanse favoured for strolls and wave-gazing.

Lower Leas Coastal Park, situated right alongside the seafront, houses the South East’s largest complimentary adventure play area, alongside public artwork and expansive Channel vistas.

Mermaid Beach, nestled beneath striking cliffs, is recognised for transparent waters and a more tranquil ambience away from the centre. Finally, Sandgate Beach is a laid-back shingle shoreline that’s perfect for dog walking and sunset panoramas.

How to get there

Folkestone is easily accessible thanks to excellent road and rail connections. By car, the journey takes approximately two hours from London via the M20.

For those travelling by train, Folkestone Central offers frequent high-speed services from London St Pancras taking around an hour, with the seafront just a 20-minute walk away, or alternatively a brief bus or taxi journey.