Folkestone’s Connections – Transport and Business Links

Folkestone’s connections make it a highly desirable business and residential location.  With easy access to the M20 to London and Dover. You can get to London in 52 minutes via High Speed 1 and cross the channel in 35 minutes.

“Folkestone and Hythe district is an attractive location which creates an offer that surpasses the expectations of many investors and businesses.”  Kent Property Market Report.

Well-connected for business and awesome family time

Katie Brumley, Director of Organise To Thrive: “Folkestone has become the perfect place for me to bring up my young family but also run my own business. Its connections mean I can be in London within an hour for meetings, promotions and trade shows. I can also get to 2 airports within 1.5 hours for my European business travels, or jump on the Eurostar if needed. I am so well connected to all my business needs and get to combine it with awesome family seaside time.”

Business space

Our connections make many opportunities for businesses to relocate to the area. The Workshop provides business space for start-ups and small businesses. Shearway Business Park has 30 units for corporate space and start-up companies. Motis at Cheriton Parc is looking to build more business units to accommodate demand.  The Glassworks, managed by Creative Folkestone, are offering bespoke space for digital services alongside its existing properties for creative workers.

Folkestone Works is a network of support for businesses in Folkestone, funded by Folkestone and Hythe District Council. This network can help with location, training and mentoring support.

Commuting feels like you’re on holiday

Resident Graham Francis has recently moved to Folkestone, but still commutes: “The easiness of the commute into London was an unexpected bonus of our move to Folkestone. It takes just over 50 minutes to get to St Pancras on the HS1, on a beautiful journey that takes you through the downs, across the Medway and over the Thames marshes. That’s less time – and a lot less hassle- than my old commute from Zone 2.”

“The trains are comfortable, remarkably reliable and pretty uncrowded. And when you step off the train on the way home, you’re right next to the hills; you can hear seagulls and smell the sea, and it feels a bit like being on holiday. Oh – and as the trains from London run until after midnight, it’s mega-easy to spend evenings out there without feeling like you need to rush home.”

easy access to local towns

Folkestone is 30 minutes drive from the historic cathedral city of Canterbury.  It’s convenient for days out with visitors and for expanding business connections.  Ashford is 20 minutes along the M20 motorway, with Maidstone and the Medway towns within an hour’s drive from Folkestone.

If you are thinking of relocating to Folkestone, there is plenty of support to help you settle in.  Mike Parry from Bella and George, a motion graphic design company, says how many clients actively organise their meetings to be in Folkestone.  “Folkestone carries creative credibility, which is good for our industry, and we’re finding that people come down to meet us here, rather than us needing to go to London or beyond.”

Photo credits: Sunrise and signpost – Ross Povey, Martello Tower to Seafront and Harbour Arm – Dirk Seyfried.