Folkestone

It's a ten mile drive from Dover to the harbour town of Folkestone, much of it along the stunning coastline. The town is reinventing itself as a hub for the arts and culture driven by ex Saga boss Roger de Haan and The Creative Foundation.

The regeneration centres on the Creative Quarter in the historic Old Town where the steep, cobbled Old High Street offers a bustling street scene. Artist's studios, shops and galleries, including the Georges House Gallery encourage visitors to participate in the creative experience alongside cafes and restaurants.

At the top of the Old High Street Googies Art Café in Rendezvous Street displays work by local artists and stages live music and special events.
Close by, craftsmen at the Easthope Studios, have produced and restored stained glass windows for new and historic buildings for over 40 years and for those looking to learn an alternative craft Jo Letchford Mosaics offers workshops in her studio in the Old High Street. Further along the street you can watch Shane Record most days as he paints in the Print Room, his studio gallery. You can also enjoy arts master classes here, tutored by Charles Newington or Charlotte Harris.

In Tontine Street you can learn silk screen printing at a workshop at the Silkworm Studios or film making at the Folkestone Film Factory. Nearby, the Quarterhouse is a new performing arts centre. It's an important social hub and a flagship building within the Creative Quarter and offers a jam-packed programme of events, film, music and comedy plus free family workshops and salsa nights.

Other places to buy art include The Chimera Gallery in Tontine Street, the Neville Pundole Gallery situated just off the Leas and Cristus Gallery located in the picturesque seaside village of Sandgate, just over a mile from Folkestone. Art exhibitions also take place at The Grand Hotel and for al fresco art, there is an arts and crafts market held on the Folkestone harbour quayside every Sunday. A full listing of art galleries in the area can be found here

Folkestone also has a strong literary heritage. Charles Dickens lived and wrote here, as did HG Wells, setting famous works like Kipps in the town. The HG Wells Festival takes place from 17th - 19th September in 2010 and will include films, historic walks and short story and art competitions.

The town's popular Book Festival takes place every November and features a week of literary events, performances and lively debate with a host of well known and emerging authors, poets and performers.

The Folkestone Triennial is a three-yearly exhibition of contemporary artworks sited in public spaces throughout the town and the next event will take place the summer of 2011.

The Folkestone Art Trail is a circular self guided walk and for guided walks Pavement Pounders offer tours that highlight Folkestone's literary and artistic history.