We did it, Folkestone 💛📚
✨ 2,073 of you made it happen✨
With books in hand, you turned the beach into a living, breathing library, breaking the record for the largest beach book swap ever held within one hour, surpassing 591 participants.
But honestly, it felt like more than a record.
It was the moment the bell rang and books moved down the line.
The conversations between strangers.
The families, the laughter, the stacks of stories being passed on.
This is what Folkestone is a Library is all about. Not a building, but a shared culture of reading, connection and imagination, held by all of you.
We’re so grateful to everyone who came down, brought a book, supported the day and made it what it was. And to all the partners, volunteers and teams who helped shape something so welcoming and generous.
This is just the beginning.
💛
Kent County Council @kcc_kent
Folkestone & Hythe District Council @folkestonehythedc
Sunflower House @sunflowerhousefolkestone
Alliance of Folkestone Residents Association
Turner Schools @turnerschoolsuk
Holiday Extras @holidayextras
With additional thanks to
Kent Library Services
Radio Folkestone @radio_folkestone
Folkestone Fringe @fstonefringe
Folkestone Performing Arts Company @folkestone_performing_arts_co
South Kent Mind @southkentmind
Form and Matter @formandmatter.uk
Folkestone Sea Sports @FolkestoneSeaSports
Dave Harvey
Anthony White
Josie Carter
Fiona Starling
#GoAllIn2026 #NationalYearOfReading2026 @go_all_in_2026
#FolkestoneIsALibrary #CreativeFolkestone
📸 @construct_studio_uk
What is Creative Folkestone? 👉 Swipe to explore what we do
We’re an arts charity based in Folkestone, Kent, working with artists locally and internationally to make creativity part of everyday life in the town 🎨
Our work spans festivals, exhibitions, public artworks, learning programmes and events, creating opportunities for people of all ages to take part, learn new skills and get creative.
We believe creativity should be open, welcoming and accessible to everyone, and that it plays a vital role in making places thrive.
None of this would be possible without all of our funders, supporters, partners and you. A special thanks goes to our funders and sponsors for enabling us to make creativity happen.
#CreativeFolkestone #FolkestoneArts #CreativityForAll #GetCreative
Remembering Derek Jarman and the living legacy of Prospect Cottage 🌊🌱
As we mark what would have been Derek Jarman’s 84th birthday, we’re thinking about the enduring impact of his life and work, rooted in activism, creativity, gardening and a deep attention to place.
Through the residency programme, artists and writers continue to experience Prospect Cottage as a place of encounter, adding new reflections to its living legacy, shared in this carousel.
✨ Visit Prospect Cottage during its open season and experience this extraordinary place for yourself.
Public Visits 2026
Wed 18 March - Sun 6 Dec 2026
Tickets: £22 Standard / £12 Under 25
🔗 Book via the link in bio
#DerekJarman #ProspectCottage #CreativeFolkestone #CreativeLegacy #ArtistsResidency #ArtAndPlace
Big laughs incoming at Quarterhouse
Here’s what’s coming up 👇
🎙 Thu 21 May — Edinburgh Comedy Previews
with Huge Davies + Katie Norris
🌈 Thu 18 Jun — Laugh Out Proud: Comedy Club
🎤 Sun 21 Jun — Rich Hall: Chin Music
🔥 Thu 1 Oct — Jacob Hawley: Fighting Age Man
✨ Fri 23 Oct — Lucy Porter: Let Yourself Go!
From festival previews to comedy legends and fresh new voices, there’s something for every comedy fan 🙌
Tickets via link in bio
#Quarterhouse #ComedyAtQuarterhouse #LiveComedy #FolkestoneEvents #StandUp
Just Announced: @chumpscomedy Summer Comedy Club 🎤🤣
Chump’s Comedy returns to Quarterhouse with an incredible line up of acts for you to come and enjoy on June 24th. Never Mind The Buzzcocks regular JAMALI MADDIX, SNL UK star PADDY YOUNG and TIFF STEVENSON (Mock The Week), Sam Eley as BASIL CRUMBWICK and our host for the evening AMY ANNETTE (Off Menu).
June 24th
Quarterhouse, Folkestone
@jamalimaddix@tiffstevensoncomic@paddyisyoung@mrsameley@theamyannette@creativefstone
Grey skies today, but we’re holding onto this☀️
Folkestone comes into its own in the sunshine. Friends gather, glasses clink and music carries through the streets. From the Harbour to the Creative Quarter, everywhere feels full of energy.
Stay a little longer, take it all in and enjoy everything the town has to offer.
#CreativeFolkestone #Folkestone
Stories, ideas, and the people behind it all 📚
Join us at Quarterhouse for an evening exploring Folkestone is a Library and the growing network of voices, projects, and shared reading shaping the town.
Hear from:
Jennie Carter (Memory Lab)
Tony Quarrington (Literary Tours)
Anton von Bebenburg (The Reader)
Plus updates from Sophie Haydock, and time to connect over a drink.
📍 Quarterhouse
📅 Thu 7 May
⏰ From 6pm
Come along, listen in, and be part of it
🔗 Book via link in bio
One space, a lot of different nights 🪩 ⚡️
Live music, DJs, discos, jazz quartets, after parties, and everything in between
Different sounds, different crowds, massive energy every time at Quarterhouse 📍
🔗 See what’s coming up via the link in bio
Final call ⚡ last chance to be in the room with Dave Rowntree tomorrow
An evening of stories from the early days of Blur, rare behind-the-scenes photos from No One You Know, plus a DJ set to close 🎧
If you’ve ever loved the band, this is one you don’t want to miss
Quarterhouse
📅 Thu 30 Apr 2026
⏰ 7.30pm
🎟️ Grab your tickets via link in bio
@f10artists@davidrowntree
#Folkestone #Quarterhouse #Blur #LiveEvents #DJSet
Something amazing started here last night ✨
FUN HOUSE made its debut at Quarterhouse, bringing together local talent, visiting artists and a crowd ready for a brilliant night of live music.
With one house band, four rising acts and energy from start to finish, this was a celebration of creativity and community.
New favourites were found, the dancefloor stayed busy and the room was full of feel-good moments.
#CreativeFolkestone #Quarterhouse #FunHouse #Folkestone
On International Sculpture Day, we’re spotlighting Yoko Ono’s Earth Peace which was commissioned by @creativefstone for the Folkestone Triennial in 2014. Three manifestations of Earth Peace remain on loan to the town, all located at @thegrandinfolkestone :
- There is a flag, flown annually on International Peace Day;
- An inscribed stone, set in the grass on The Leas outside The Grand;
- And a message in morse code beamed out by a light over the Channel.
The Grand is next door to the former Metropole Arts Centre, where Yoko Ono staged an event in 1966. Further to the East along The Leas there are memorials to those who have lost their lives in war. As a young person, Yoko Ono witnessed the catastrophic effects of war in Japan, and the desire for peace has been a consistent message within her work as an artist, which more broadly aims to provoke thought and challenge people’s understanding both of art and of the world around them.
Warning: Yoko Ono’s morse code message, which is beamed out from the roof of The Grand, may not be suitable for people with photosensitive epilepsy.
📸 @thierry_bal
#InternationalSculptureDay #isday
Music in May is back for 2026✨ We are proud to be part of this massive music festival once again.
Live music, fresh talent and great nights out are coming to Folkestone all month long. With over 200 events, 200 artists and 40 venues taking part, May is set to be bigger than ever.
Whether you love discovering new artists or enjoying familiar favourites, this festival is for you.
Grab a programme from any participating venue or explore the Music in May guide online!
#FolkestoneMusic #CreativeFolkestone #MusicInMay #Folkestone
