Excavations have shown that the region of Folkestone has been populated since before Christ and existence of a Roman Villa, found on the East cliff in 1924 is testament to this. The town of Folkestone was formerly a fishing village and it was not until the building of the Viaduct across the Foord Valley in the early 19th century, which still exists today, that Folkestone was put on the map. Within 20 years a passenger ferry service from the town to Boulogne was operating and this enhanced Folkestone reputation as a coastal resort on both sides of the Channel. 

Much of the tourism focussed around the ‘Leas’ and the Lower Sandgate Rd towards the seafront. The ‘Leas’ is derived from the Kentish dialect word meaning ‘a common, or open space of pasture’ and up to the 1830’s, the ‘Leas’ was just open farmland with grazing cattle. In 1825, Lord Radnor secured an ‘Act of Parliament’ enabling the development of the area and from the mid 19th century onwards, several innovations were created. Two bandstands were created (only one exists now), several upmarket hotels were built and The Sandgate, Metropole & Leas lifts were constructed. The latter, built in 1885, had perhaps the most novelty value which used ‘water balance’, the first such of its kind in the UK, to transport tourists from the top of the Leas to the seafront and is still in full operational order till this day. A pier was also built in 1888, which boasted a significant pavilion at the end and staged the world’s first international beauty contest in the late 19th century. The pier was gutted by fire in 1945 and lay derelict until 1954 when it was demolished.

The Grand and the Metropole, which still exist today, represented the prosperity of Folkestone at the turn of the19th century with both being built to accommodate Folkestone growing tourism demand. The Metropole, whichwas built first between 1896-97, was originally on the old Polo field, which now resides behind Folkestone Invicta’s ground. The Grand was built five years later and was aimed to eclipse the Metropole. It took only fivedays from the drawings being submitted to construction being started and was completed by September 1903. King Edward VII frequented The Grand regularly along with the queen and later Edward VIII spent several summers there.With falling visitor numbers at the beginning of the 1970’s the interior of the building was stripped in preparation for demolition to make way for flats. Luckily the deal collapsed and property tycoon Michael Stainer bought the building and renovated it back to its former glory. It is now home to luxurious apartments, galleries and a restaurant. 

Several new developments are now planned for Folkestone with philanthropist, Roger De Haan (former owner of Saga) at the centre of these. This ‘masterplan’ represents the opportunity to transform the fortunes of Folkestone through the comprehensive, integrated redevelopment of its greatest asset: its Harbour and Seafront. It builds on regeneration projects such as the ‘The Creative Quarter’, which has already been renovated in the town centre and has linked up with Canterbury Christchurch University to run courses in performing arts, dance and art. It also complements future developments such as the completion of the Bouverie Place retail development in the town centre scheduled to finish before 2008.

The harbour and Seafront sites which are currently derelict are hoped to be transformed into: 

- A 1500-student university campus that will further develop higher from the ‘Creative Quarter’. This landmark building will occupy a unique and prominent site on the southern edge of the Harbour.

- The redundant railway viaduct which travels across the harbour and was used during the war to ferry troops will be removed and the Harbour enclosure will form a new marina for up to 200 berths. A sill will also be created at the Harbour’s mouth to ensure water is permanently retained, improving its accessibility for boats and its attraction for visitors.

- The Seafront site which previously had the amusement park ‘Rotunda’ on will feature a predominantly residential development. The maximum heights of the buildings will follow those of the listed 19th century buildings on Marine Parade and will be stepped from six to two storeys.

- A new crescent building in from of the Marina which will provide a sheltered route to the seafront development as well as flanked by shops and cafes.