Folkestone - Outdoor Artworks
Is there anything more enjoyable than an outdoor art trail? How about an outdoor art trail scented with a fresh seaside breeze? Yes, that’ll do nicely!
Back in 2008 the first Folkestone Triennial took place. That event, and its four follow-ups, have left a legacy of permanent artworks scattered throughout the town and along the seafront. There’s a lot of legacy: 72 artworks (!) and you might be able to squeeze all of them into a day, but that won’t leave you any time to experience anything else in town, which is currently in the midst of a major reinvention and regeneration. Thankfully, Folkestone is a quick 1-hour train ride from St. Pancras so you can easily go again.
The art trail starts the moment you arrive. Bob & Roberta Smith’s “Folkestone is an Art School” mural on the old train platform is impossible to miss. You might, however, miss a tiny Tracey Emin teddy bear which is one of half a dozen “Baby Things” bronze works that she’s hidden throughout the town. To see the other seventy you’ll want to lace up those walking boots and bring a bottle of water.
Happy art hunting!
PS - new works will appear when the Folkestone Triennial returns in 2025.
Plan your visit
‘Folkestone Artworks’ is free and accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Folkestone Central train station is 1 hour from St. Pancras International.
Visit creativefolkestone.org.uk and follow @creativefstone on Instagram for more info.
Download the Art Trail maps & suggested walking routes
NOTE: The signage for the artworks is visually inconsistent. Some are round, some are brown, etc. If you’re not sure if something is part of the art trail just look for any kind of sign nearby, although some have none at all.
Bonus: My first trip
Got a few minutes to spare? Here’s a recap of my first trip to Folkestone and the route I took to see the artworks, with a few select photos.
Once you find Tracey’s little bronze teddy and leave the station, head underneath the railway arch (don’t forget to look up!) and wind your way around to Castle Hill Avenue. A walk down the middle of the tree lined street is a great way to admire the architecture as you work your way to The Leas. There’s quite a few sculptures to see in addition to an absolutely glorious panoramic view of the channel.
Once you’re ready to continue follow the Zig Zag trail down to the coastline and eventually work your way East towards the Harbour. Along the way you’ll see one of my favourite works, “18 Holes” by Richard Wilson: three beach huts made from the remnants of a crazy golf course.
If the weather is good then I suggest you keep walking all the way to the end of the pier where the still operational Harbour Lighthouse now has a day job as the canvas for one of the artworks. If the tide is low, go down the steps to see “Another Time XVIII” by Antony Gormley. I’ve seen a lot of his works, but the way this one is framed amongst the rusted piers with the white cliffs in the background is incredibly moving.
At this point you probably need a tea and snack and the Folkestone Harbour Arm, set alongside the regenerated railway station (operational from 1850 - 2014) is a great place to rest, filled with a variety of food and market stalls. While you sit you can plan the rest of your route, which still comprises over half the artworks!
If you’ve got the time you can venture further along the coast, past the outer harbour along the Coronation Parade. I didn’t, so I took the most direct and art-filled route back to the train station: Tontine Street. It turns into Bradstone Rd which takes you under the giant railway arches, and then you’ll pass by four more artworks on the way to the station.
I did all of that in under four hours and found just half of the artworks. Although I didn’t have time to explore any of the town or its shops and galleries, I did get a good sense that there’s definitely a lot more to explore. I’m already planning a return trip!
PLUS…
Check the What’s On page so you don’t miss any other great shows closing soon.
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