Pretty UK seaside town with two beaches and £202k flats is 'cheaper than Brighton'

A charming town in , merely an hour's journey from London, boasts stunning beaches and is touted as being "cheaper" than . Folkestone, nestled on the south-east coast of England along the English Channel, has become a favoured haunt for commuters due to its excellent transport connections to the capital.

Earlier this year, Time Out crowned the town as list, praising it as "as vibrant as ever", brimming with eclectic independent shops, lively art galleries, innovative eateries, and pubs full of character. This erstwhile port town is celebrated for its breathtaking coastal vistas, with The Leas (the town's promenade just above sea level), and the distinctive Creative Quarter standing out as prime highlights.

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Folkestone is graced with several beaches, including Sunny Sands at the eastern stretch of the shoreline and a pebble beach to the west, according to Coast Magazine. Moreover, there's a plethora of additional beaches scattered throughout the vicinity along Kent's renowned coastline.

The town has seen substantial regeneration efforts in recent times, revitalising some of its more dilapidated areas, and now ranks among Kent's most coveted towns, alongside Margate and Broadstairs.

It's often likened to Brighton in East Sussex, traditionally considered one of the UK's posher seaside spots, yet property prices in Folkestone are still markedly more affordable.

Rightmove's data shows that over the past year, Brighton's housing market has seen an average price of £488,954, with flats being the most commonly sold property type.

These flats have been fetching an average of £319,893, while terraced homes have commanded prices around £562,145, and semi-detached houses have averaged at £524,689.

In contrast, Folkestone's property prices are significantly lower, with an overall average standing at £321,255 during the same timeframe.

Terraced properties, which were the most frequently sold in Folkestone, went for an average of £283,482, as reported by the property website.

Flats in Folkestone sold for an average of £202,368, whereas semi-detached homes achieved sales figures close to £369,104, , reports .

The seaside town is also set for a substantial makeover, with a £20 million investment aimed at rejuvenating its town centre.

This revamp includes "significant improvements to the road system around Folkestone Central rail station and better signage and improved links to the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists", as stated on the Folkestone and Hythe District Council's website.