The transformation of The Grand, Folkestone’s historic hotel (first opened in 1903,) into an ambitious new music and contemporary arts venue, is just one good reason to visit the charming Kent seaside town now. And with coastal walks, wide beaches, independent cafés, restaurants and boutiques, all within an hour by high speed train from London, Folkestone makes an ideal weekend escape.

The Grand: Folkestone’s New Must-Visit Music And Art Hub

During Folkestone’s heyday as a fashionable seaside resort, The Grand was a luxurious Edwardian hotel. No longer a hotel, the vast red brick building has several floors of flats mainly occupied by creatives, with the rest of the building been reimagined as a dynamic arts venue under the stewardship of the not for profit organisation, Grand Arts CIC. Executive Director Megan Piper says “the town is full of people who have an affection for The Grand” so the CIC is building on that. Ms. Piper says that she sees “a big part of [her] role is actually telling the story of all of the extraordinary things that are happening here, growing that program, reaching new audiences and raising awareness.”

The Grand has long appealed to musicians who today record music videos in the grand rooms and writers (the hotel was in Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit.”) And Folkestone is widely recognised for its contemporary art scene, home to a thriving creative community and host of the Folkestone Triennial. For the first exhibition at the newly relaunched Grand, Ms. Piper, also co-founder of East London’s innovative sculpture trail, The Line, leads a program featuring loaned works by women artists connected to the town. In the long term, the aim is to weave art into everyday life, with a free-to-view collection displayed throughout the building’s public spaces.

Art And Music Program At The Grand

Browse the contemporary art inside and outside of The Grand, starting with Yoko Ono’s artwork,”Earth Peace,” which is installed on the roof of the building and across the road from the Grand, a 2014 commission by the Folkestone Triennial. Inside, the display includes works by five artists who have a connection to Folkestone: Jyll Bradley, Mayotte Magnus, Rubiane Maia, Cornelia Parker and Rose Wylie. French photographer Mayotte Magnus, a current resident of The Grand was the first woman to be given a major solo exhibition in 1977 at the National Portrait Gallery with her survey of 90 portraits of celebrated British women. Four of these portraits, including ones of Barbara Hepworth and Dame Judi Dench, are currently on display in the bar downstairs.

After the art and a meal at Keppels restaurant downstairs, stay for a concert. Folkestone takes its music seriously as an essential part of its cultural offering and was named the world's first music town in 2019 on BBC Music Day. As well as a thriving local music scene, international stars have performed in the town from Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd to violinist Yehudi Menuhin. The Grand itself was a sanctuary for the Italian composer Sir Francesco Paolo Tosti (1846–1916) and in 2025, Folkestone on Song launched the Tosti International Singing Academy, a residential program for emerging classical singers and outstanding conservatoire students. Britain’s longest-established string quartet, the Sacconi Quartet is based in Folkestone and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

A very special piano recital from Thomas Adès launched the Grand’s new music program in April and there will be regular classical concerts all year. Sacconi Chamber Music Festival, from 14 -17 May, will feature the Sacconi Quartet, performing new works. On 7 June, Folkestone Early Music presents tenor Mark Padmore performing with Steven Devine on fortepiano. And an intriguing musical project by English composer, Graham Fitkin, “Treeline”will have its UK premiere at The Grand on 18 July. If you’ve never heard the “music” created inside ancient trees, this groundbreaking new work of contemporary music was made with direct sound recordings from trees. Created with ancient trees and communities from 10 countries, including, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Czechia, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France and UK, this is a must-attend event.

Shops and activities

A sauna, followed by a dip into the sea or a huge cold plunge tank at Sea Scrub on the beach is an excellent tonic to excessive cocktail consumption at the Potting Shed the night before. Add a salt scrub infused with Peppermint, Lavender, or Rose for silky smooth skin. Inspired by the Norwegian fjords’ floating saunas and the invigorating tradition of cold-water swimming, this is the UK's biggest beach spa. There’s also a cute cafe on site.

Folkestone has loads of independent shops, many lining the cobbled steep Old High street. Among the best ones are: Overstrand (clothing), Bounce Vintage, and for records, Vintage & Vinyl .

The Potting Shed (cleverly disguising the speakeasy below) has a well chosen selection of menswear and womenswear plus accessories including bags, funky sunglasses and various homewares. Aimee Craddock creates gorgeous handmade gold and silver jewelery from upcycled metals. And for your beach needs, Laes has attractive upcycled beach and Thermos cool bags, towels and blankets.

Where to Eat and Drink

Rocksalt, in a gorgeous position on the harbor, has the freshest local fish and a beautiful outside terrace. The restaurant sources ingredients from the day boats working along the South Coast and the local farms set in the rolling Kent countryside. Menu highlights include: delicately grilled Rye Bay Squid with sesame-soy dressing, spring onion-chilli and herb salad; Seared Folkestone Scallops with wild garlic pearl barley and of course “catch of the day” with several options like dover sole and sea bream.

Keppels bar and restaurant, on the lower floor of The Grand takes its name from Edward VII’s mistress, the socialite Mrs. Alice Keppel. The famous pair were regular visitors to the hotel and the King officially launched Europe’s first sprung dance floor at The Grand in 1909. Today, the focus is more on the food as the restaurant is in the capable hands of Chef Harry Johnson (formerly with Frog & Scot Deal and La Bourse et la Vie in Paris). The Modern British menu from locally sourced products includes a delicious Scotch egg, moreish potted mackerel with pickles, charred cuttlefish with red lentils and pork schnitzel.

Pomus, owned by Ryan Jacovides the former group MD at Jamie Oliver Group, is in the former Brewery Tap pub. It has a friendly, casual vibe and is a great choice for Sunday roasts and delicious desserts like chai tart.

You can only access the delightful cocktail bar The Potting Shed, open Thursday-Saturday, with a secret password. The entrance is behind a hidden door in the “shed” wall inside the clothing boutique. Cocktails are superb. Try the ginger daiquiri or one of the three old fashioneds. The prohibition vibe is enhanced by carefully selected jazz music.

Just off the highstreet is the welcoming Yoke yoga studio and cafe. “Yoke” which comes from the Sanskrit 'yuj' – to unite or connect is run by Yoga teacher Jade who trained in Bali and her partner Ollie who apparently is reponsible for the delicious Swedish style cinnamon buns. Cheerful prints of local attractions by Charlotte Martin decorate the walls and are available to buy.

Steep Street Coffee House on the Old High Street is a book-filled café with good coffee and homemade cakes.

Where to Stay

Rocksalt restaurant has a delightful bed and breakfast annex across the road where you can stay. The cosy, characterful building features four boutique bolt holes, with antique beds dressed in Egyptian cotton, flat screen televisions, coffee machines and petite wet rooms. Two of the rooms have harbor and sea views.