insideKENT Magazine Issue 77 - August 2018 | Page 42

TOWNSPOTLIGHT
Spotlight on FOLKESTONE cont.
Sunny Sands Beach
There are, as you might expect, a number of
gorgeous beaches in Folkestone, and any one
of them would make for a great day out that
won’t cost the earth and that will keep
everyone happy for hours upon hours. Sunny
Sands is a fine example of the kind of
traditional beachside enjoyment that can be
had in Folkestone. Being the only sandy beach
that is less than an hour from London makes
this place a special one and the annual
sandcastle competition is always well attended.
There are shops, cafes and restaurants nearby,
so you can bask in the warm weather for as
long as you want to.
Leas Cliff Hall
This large entertainment venue is well loved
by locals and visitors alike. With concerts, plays,
ballets, and even wrestling, the events here
are varied and change often enough that you
will always find something to suit your own
tastes. A great coffee shop on the ground floor
is an excellent way to wind down and relax
when you’ve been out and about, and the bar
and restaurant are a fabulous way to begin or
end your night out in Folkestone at the Leas
Cliff Hall.
Lower Leas Coastal Park
With adventure playgrounds, impressive sea
views, lovely picnic areas, beautiful flower
beds, and the Mermaid Café to ease any
hunger pangs and keep you topped up with
refreshments, the Lower Leas Coastal Park is
a one-stop shop for a great day out. Follow
the route to enjoy a lovely coastal walk, and
pop to the beach as there is easy access from
this great park to the sand itself.
DINING OUT
Rocksalt
There are restaurants that say they are on the
coast – even on the beach – and then there’s
Rocksalt, which is so close you can hear the
waves and smell the sea. It’s no wonder that
the food here is as fresh as it can be since most
of it is local and much of it is seafood. Not
only is the food exceptional, but this gem of
a restaurant is a joy to sit in thanks to its
modern design with floor-to-ceiling glass
windows that give you an unparalleled view
of the Kent coast. Dishes here include soused
herring, cucumber and red onion salad and
basil mayonnaise; baked mussels, smoked
bacon and Kentish Gala cider; and spiced roast
huss, sesame pak choi and satay sauce.
Folkestone Mermaid by Cornelia Parker
Lower Leas Coastal Park
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Copper & Spices
This Indian restaurant is out of the ordinary
and thrives on its reputation as an excellent
place to try something new. The imaginative
dishes, which include salmon and cod
fishcakes with cilantro and ginger; boti rogan
josh; and salli murg, are not only tasty, but
they are presented beautifully too – this is
modern Indian cuisine at its finest.
Aspendos
As Turkish cuisine goes, the food at Aspendos
is some of the finest in the area. Authentic and
tasty, there is nothing that is forgotten when
it comes to the ingredients – fresh and local
wherever possible – and the service, which is
friendly and professional. Aspendos is all about
giving diners the best flavours of Turkey, so
that whether you are a first-time guest or
someone who has returned a number of times,
you will always have the same great
experience. Try the yaprak sarma – stuffed
vine leaves with rice, mint, parsley, onion and
pine kernels; the imam bayildi – baby
aubergine stuffed with fried onions, peppers
and tomatoes, all baked in a light tomato sauce;
or the sea bream with salad and chips.