Folkestone expanded further west after the arrival of the railway in 1843 as an elegant coastal resort, thanks to the investment of the Earl of Radnor under the urban plan of Decimus Burton.

In its heyday – during the Edwardian era – Folkestone was considered the most fashionable resort of the time, visited by royalty – amongst them Queen Victoria and Edward VII and other members of the English aristocracy.

The town's architecture, especially in the West End part, is a testimony of this period, with many impressive buildings, townhouses, villas, private squares, and large hotels built to accommodate the gentry.

In 597 AD, monks, led by Augustine of Canterbury, arrived at Ebbsfleet on the Isle of Thanet, on a mission from Pope Gregory to re-Christianise Britain.

They were rediscovered in June 1885 when workmen, carrying out alterations to the high altar, found a battered lead casket immured in a niche in the north wall of the chancel.

The hill provided a sight-line to the east along the line of the Folkestone Turnpike to Dover Castle, one of the two principal cross-channel observation points, the other being Fairlight Down in Sussex.

Until the 19th century, Folkestone remained a small fishing community with a seafront continually battered by storms and encroaching shingles, making it hard to land boats.

The Harbour Arm, formerly used solely for port activities, has been extensively restored and developed as a recreational space and promenade to which the public has access, including bars and restaurants, with entertainment at weekends and on some evenings.

A small stream, Pent Brook, cuts through the cliffs at this point, and provided the original haven for fishermen and cross-channel boats.

Remains of a quay, dating to the 17th century, were discovered under what is now a public car park, between the Old High Street and the railway viaduct, adjacent to the current harbour.

Silver Spring Mineral Water Company, was the largest independently-owned soft drinks manufacturer in Britain, based in Park Farm, but closed down in 2013.

Located in the west part of the town, it is a unique promenade designed in the mid-1800s by Decimus Burton who also worked on Regent's Park, London and St Leonards-on-Sea.

Built in 1806 as a defence against Napoleon, it has also been a Coast Guard lookout, a family home, a golf clubhouse and a Second World War Naval mine control post.

Folkestone Harbour station was used to transfer passengers from specific trains; the line from the junction was very steep and needed much additional locomotive help.

A local group, the Remembrance Line Association, is actively seeking to retain the harbour branch as a tourist/heritage railway operation, though as at 2019 the future was uncertain.

Venice-Simplon Orient Express passengers now change at Folkestone West for road coaches and the onward journey through the Channel Tunnel.

Folkestone marks the eastern end of the A259 although this is no longer part of the South Coast Trunk Road east of Brenzett, although it remains a primary route.

The area is a magnet for passing migrating birds and the Warren (woodlands adjoining Wear Bay) and the cliffs above are of particular interest during the spring and autumn periods.

The North Downs Way, starting its course in Surrey, reaches the coast at Folkestone and continues through Capel-le-Ferne, and to its end at Dover, some 8 mi (13 km) away.

The Foundation has opened a medium scale theatre, conference and music venue in the heart of the Creative Quarter named Quarterhouse.

The first Folkestone Triennial art event took place between June and September 2008 with artists such as Christian Boltanski and Tracey Emin making site specific work for a wide variety of locations around the town.

[37] The 2011 Triennial 'A Million Miles From Home' was launched on 24 September 2010 and commissioned 19 international artists to develop new works for Folkestone's streets, squares, beaches and historic buildings.

The society also has a youth section, which puts on three performances a year at the Tower Theatre: the Brigadier Thomas Memorial Competition, a summer show and a Christmas revue.

The convention is a volunteer-run event which raising funds for local charities including Academy FM, East Kent Hospitals and Help for Heroes.

Other presenters of the radio station include; Kay McLoughlin (self-titled 'President of Folkestone'), Steve Bispham, Josh Carter, Ross Hoare, Taya Walters and Ethan Cole.

KMFM Shepway and White Cliffs Country is the local commercial radio station for Folkestone, broadcasting to the town on 96.4FM (along with 106.8 in Dover).

A former ladies player, Catherine Spencer, captained the England women's national rugby union team to a grand slam in 2008.

Current Kent players such as Robbie Joseph and Geraint Jones, plus Neil Dexter, who moved to Middlesex CCC at the end of the 2008 season, have all represented the club.

King Edward VII and his mistress Alice Keppel (great-grandmother of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall) regularly enjoyed the luxury (and discretion) of the Grand Hotel on the Leas.

Jimmy Hill, presenter of Match of the Day, was stationed at Folkestone Garrison during the Second World War, during which time he entertained troops and played for the local football team.