The Old High Street – Folkestone

The Old High Street in Folkestone is a beautiful street of creative shops.  Celebrating the best of Kent, and Folkestone’s artists, it is a must-visit for anyone!  Tim from Objectables, the fantastic card shop in the centre of The Old High Street Folkestone feels that independent shops are the future of the High Street.  Our most successful shops are ones that have national links, and the list of award-winning creatives is impressive.  Folkestone’s Creative Quarter is a community that supports each other with collaborations and events.

miss gingers

For all your sewing needs come and visit Miss Gingers. All of the material in the shop is also available online.  If you need matching cotton with your order, mention it in the notes and Miss Ginger will add it free of charge!  All orders are packed beautifully with vibrant tissue paper protecting your material.  The post option is exciting but there’s nothing like feeling the fabric in the shop to help your decision, or make you buy more!  Plus there’s free advice on offer for any guidance needed on the sewing project or material best suited for the job. Pardon the pun.

Bounce Vintage

Bounce Vintage is open daily for your vintage clothes needs.  The team are constantly updating stock and so there’s always something new to see.  You get a great welcome, free coffee while you browse and don’t forget your loyalty card. To read more about Saul and Rachel’s journey to running the most successful vintage clothing shops in East Kent click here.

fabia goff

Just up the road from Bounce Vintage is Fabia Goff and her interior fabrics and prints.  If you look in the window you might just seen her at work on lino prints.  You can join in with workshops, and have consultations for interior projects in the shop.  Fabia has been based in Folkestone for a few years.  Read more about her story here.

Objectables

The award-winning independent card shop Objectables is a Folkestone gem.  Keep connected by sending friends a totally unique card.  Objectables always entertain with their wit and wicked sense of humour, which is guaranteed to brighten anyone’s day.  Their shop is available online as well as being situated in the middle of The Old High Street.  They also sell some fantastic games, socks (everyone needs socks) and other stationery gifts and tea towels.

The Cake Junction

Zoe Spiers has built up her cake business over the past 13 years to the point where the Beckhams have all their celebration cakes from Zoe!  Life is always better with cake.  And buttercream.  Order cupcakes, birthday cakes, wedding cakes or just cake!  Let’s celebrate with a fantastically decorated and delicious cake from the person who is the Queen of Buttercream!

Shane Record

Shane is the longest-standing resident of The Old High Street and his paintings capture the essence of Folkestone.  As well as prints, there’s cards and canvas options, printed picnic blankets and hand-painted enamel tableware.  Shane is also contactable via his website for live painting events.

wayne reeves Art

Artist and framer Wayne Reeves has a very compact workshop where he can create frames to your needs.  He’s great with advice on size, style and can even advise on the type of paper best to print your images onto.  Go in and talk him through your project before spending time and money, and you’ll get the best results.

fourth wall folkestone

Sarah Lloyd is the Director of this creative space which is a gallery, studio and research space for projects linking mental health and art. The gallery exhibits community-led work and supports local artists with regular events and meetings. Contributors to previous events have said ‘There is no other community space like it. The work that goes on within FWF is life saving and life changing.’

marleys

One of The Old High Street’s favourite places is Marleys.  Established just before Covid, Mark and Charly have not had a regular trading year since they started.  But, with a fantastic food offering, they’ve moved to bigger premises at the bottom of The Old High Street where queues form on a daily basis.

Thalassa

If you live by the sea then buying yourself or someone else a little gift from Thalassa is your civic duty.  Share the sea with everyone, and the website is well stocked.  It’s a wonderful shop to browse through and find presents for all the people in your life.  We found a fantastic whale jug for Father’s Day.  It serves water at every meal.

Not For Humans

Essential dog food, and quality dehydrated raw dog food at that, are on offer from Not For Humans.  Not only that, Debbie has all sorts of treats for your fluffy friends.  She sells laser-cut dog tags which are a legal requirement for any dog that leaves the house.  Collaborating with R+R Laser jewellery at the top of The Old High Street, your tag will be the envy of all other dogs.

Folkestone Wholefoods

The Folkestone Wholefoods shop offers an alternative to supermarket shopping.  Freshly baked Docker bread (Tuesday- Saturday), seasonal local vegetables and all the usual quality organic products and household essentials (including flour and toilet paper, of course).  There’s also a delivery service available if that suits your needs better.

Moo Like A Monkey

If you are needing to entertain little ones then Moo is the place to shop.  Their Instagram is good for a laugh too as Charlotte, Nav and the girls show how to navigate parenthood, running a business and family life with ethical goods.  Courier service deliveries, even some deliveries made in person and a fantastic website have helped many get through those early years and out the other side with a smile.

R+R Laser Jewellery

One of Folkestone’s iconic shop-fronts houses 2quirkybirds R+R Laser Jewellery.  If you are a fan of any cult film or show, or have a favourite spot in Folkestone such as the Burstin, you’ll bet you will find a necklace, earrings or broach to suit your needs.  Regulars at Comic Cons across the country, these two bring a smile with their work.  Read about their renovations of Georges House.

Steep Street

Steep Street is the beautiful coffee shop half way up, or down, The Old High Street.  People often confuse the name of the coffee shop with the name of the street as it’s so steep.   They now sell their coffee beans for you to get your caffeine fix any day you like.  Steep Street website also has hand-glazed pottery for sale too.  You could try recreating the Steep Street feel at home but we know it’s not quite the same!

rachel leigh bakes

Rachel bakes, and bakes.  Once you’ve tried the cakes you’ll be hooked.  There are savoury scones and the legendary cinnamon buns.  Rachel started out on Folkestone’s Harbour marketplace and has grown into her own space here that you can find from the tell-tale queues forming outside.

vintage and vinyl

Vintage and Vinyl is Folkestone’s record shop and will serve you with your music needs.  If there’s something you’re looking for then you can always order if it’s not in stock.

rennies seaside modern

You can browse Rennies’ selection online and get in touch for collection or delivery of your purchases.  When you wander down The Old High Street their window displays change regularly.  Their eclectic mix of object and ideas are delightfully described as ‘comfy modern’!

East Cliff Creatives

The East Cliff Creative team have opened a new shop half way up The Old High Street.  Packed full of goodies from local creatives you can be sure to be supporting a small business with each purchase.  There is always a creative on hand in the shop to tell you more about the people behind the artworks.

mocka bistro

If you need a sit down, breakfast, lunch or supper, then Mocka Bistro is the place.  Chai lattes, pancakes and waffle croissants, what’s more to like? The team have been welcomed to Folkestone and are loving the support they’re getting from the community.

el cortador

Once you’ve done all that shopping you will need a sit down.  El Cortador serves delicious tapas and pintxos which are great to share with your shopping buddies.  Their garden outside is perfect for sipping sangria, and if it’s cold, then inside is warm enough to whisk you to Spain without the need for a coat.

Photo credit: Steep Street – Madaline Negrilla