Van Hire Folkestone

Folkestone emerges as Kent’s creative coastal hub, where Victorian seaside grandeur meets contemporary art culture. The town balances its historic harbor heritage with a thriving Creative Quarter, while offering strong transport links through its high-speed rail and channel connections.

Getting Around Folkestone

The roads in and around Folkestone provide excellent connectivity, making travel seamless for residents and visitors alike. The M20 motorway acts as a crucial link between Folkestone and the broader Kent region, facilitating smooth journeys to nearby towns and beyond.

The A20 Ashford Road, which passes through landmarks like the Holywell Coombe Viaduct and the Round Hill Tunnel, is another major artery. It provides direct access to Hythe, making it an ideal route for those looking to explore neighbouring areas. The A259 is one of the town’s busiest roads, traversing several key areas, including Churchill Avenue, Black Bull Road and Radnor Park Road. This route is perfect for connecting to local attractions and business centres, offering scenic views along the way.

Meanwhile, the A260, starting at White Horse Hill and extending through Canterbury Road and Dover Road, offers a direct route to the neighbouring town of Dover. For those navigating the eastern part of Folkestone, the Terminal Service Ring Road and the picturesque Alkham Valley Road ensure efficient travel with stunning views.

Local routes such as Wear Bay Road and Horn Street weave through Folkestone’s neighbourhoods, making it easier to reach residential and recreational spots. The B2064, also known as Cheriton Approach, links Cheriton High Street with Cheriton Road and provides access to Dover, a hub of historical and cultural significance.

Finally, the B2063 Military Road and Risborough Lane connect the town’s interior, offering quick access to nearby amenities and residential areas. These roads make Folkestone an accessible and well-linked town, ensuring smooth transport for all.

Van Parking Options

In the heart of the town, the Sandgate Road Car Park on Sandgate Road and the NCP Folkestone Bouverie Place at Bouverie Place Shopping Centre provide central parking options, perfect for accessing nearby shopping and business areas. Not far away, the Civic Centre Visitors Car Park on Middelburg Square is ideal for those visiting the civic offices.

Close to transportation hubs, the Car Park Folkestone Central Station | APCOA on Station Approach and the Car Park A Folkestone West Station | APCOA on Shorncliffe Road offer convenient spaces for commuters. Another option near Folkestone West Station is the Car Park B Folkestone West Station | APCOA, located on Station Approach.

For those heading towards the coastal area, the Marine Parade Car Park provides great access to the seaside, while the Car Parking Folkestone Harbour on Tram Road is a prime spot for harbour visits.

In quieter neighbourhoods, the Golden Valley Car Park on Enbrook Valley offers a free 24/7 option and the Foresters Way Parking on Cheriton Road ensures accessible parking in the Cheriton area. The Tram Road Car Park, also on Tram Road, provides additional capacity near the harbour. Other options include the Payers Park Car Park on Payers Park for local errands and the Car Park Folkestone Middelburg Square | APCOA on Middelburg Square, with extended hours catering to workdays and weekends.

Petrol Stations And Vehicle Services

Folkestone’s petrol stations include Tesco on Cheriton High Street (workdays/Saturdays 6 AM-11 PM, Sundays 7 AM-10 PM) offering fuel and convenience items. Shell and BP nearby provide fuel, car washes and cash points, with BP operating 24/7. Esso Rontec on Ashford Road serves Eurotunnel travellers 24/7, while Sainsbury’s in Park Farm Industrial Estate operates Monday-Saturday 6 AM-10 PM and Sundays 7 AM-10 PM. In Hawkinge, Fuel Express (7 AM-11 PM daily) and Gulf on Canterbury Road provide additional options, complemented by JET on Harbour Way and the 24/7 Wild Bean Café.

For auto repairs, Zanchi Motors on Dover Road and CMC Motor Co on Christ Church Road (weekdays 8:30 AM-5:30 PM) offer excellent service. Thompson’s Garage Ltd on Geraldine Road provides 24/7 recovery, while Folkestone Motors Ltd on Cheriton Road operates weekdays 8 AM-5 PM and Saturdays until noon. Marchwoods Motor Engineers on Warren Road is known for honest service, PTA Garage Services on Tram Road (weekdays 8:30 AM-5:30 PM) handles routine maintenance and KAP Motor Group on Shorncliffe Motor Park (Monday-Saturday 8 AM-6 PM) attracts customers from Ashford. Inspection and tyre services are available at Halfords Autocentre on Bouverie Road, Kwik Fit on Cheriton Road and Sam Harris Automotive on North Close.

For car washing, Folkestone Top Car Wash at Morrisons on Cheriton Road serves locals and those heading to Sheerness. Louie’s Hand Car Wash on St Francis Road (daily 3:30 PM-5:30 PM) and Hand Car Wash on Cheriton High Street (daily 9 AM-5:30 PM) offer manual cleaning. IMO Car Wash on Cherry Garden Lane (workdays/Saturdays 8 AM-6:30 PM, Sundays 9 AM-5 PM), Kent Car Cleaning on Cheriton Road (Monday-Saturday until 8 PM), Shell Car Wash, BP Car Wash and S.P Valeting on Radnor Street complete the washing options.

Hardware Stores, Garden Centres And Storage Facilities

Wickes on Park Farm Road (7 AM-8 PM workdays) and Toolstation at West Park Farm North Retail Park (7 AM-8 PM weekdays, 4.8 rating) lead Folkestone’s hardware options. Youngs Timber & Builders Merchants on Caesar’s Way and Jewson on Station Road provide building materials with weekend availability. Screwfix on 5 Acre Estate and County Hardware on Cheriton Road offer diverse tools and materials, with County Hardware serving customers heading to Deal. Coastal Hardware & Tools on Sandgate Road maintains a 4.8 rating for excellent service.

The Range on Firs Lane (8:30 AM-8 PM workdays/Saturdays, shorter Sunday hours) is Folkestone’s most visited garden centre, while POT&VESSEL on Bouverie Road specialises in indoor plants, operating Wednesday through Sunday. B&M Home Store and Homebase Folkestone in Park Farm Industrial Estate offer seven-day access. Pure Garden Buildings in Hawkinge, convenient for those travelling to Lydd, provides garden building supplies and hot tub repairs.

Storage facilities include Blue Jays Removals & Storage on Park Farm Close and Folkestone Storage on Foord Road, both offering weekend access. Kent Vehicle Storage on Shorncliffe Road provides 24/7 vehicle storage, while Seaview Storage on Bowles Well Gardens and Milgate Storage on Webb Close offer secure units at reasonable rates. European Storage Folkestone on Park Farm Close and Storage Containers To Let on Castle Hill Avenue round out the storage options.

Drive Thru, Restaurants, Shops And More

KFC operates two locations in Folkestone: Sandgate Road (MON-THU/SUN 11 AM-9 PM, FRI-SAT until 10 PM) and Cheriton Road, which stays open an hour later on weekends. McDonald’s has three branches: South Retail Park on Park Farm Road (24/7), Sandgate Lanes Shopping Centre (daily 7 AM-11 PM) and Cheriton High Street (open until midnight), all offering drive-thru and dine-in options.

Local favourites include The Flamin’ Chicken on West Terrace (daily 12 PM-11 PM) and Brewing Brothers Beachside at Folkestone Harbour Arm (TUE-SAT until late). The Sandwich Shop on Cheriton Place (weekdays 9 AM-3:30 PM) and Flo’s Pie and Mash on Guildhall Street (TUE-SAT) serve traditional fare, with Flo’s being particularly popular among those travelling to Sandwich. Costa Coffee on Sandgate Road provides extended weekend hours.

Additional services include The Secret Garden Florist on Cheriton Road (MON-SAT 9 AM-3 PM) and the Folkestone Household Waste Recycling Centre on Ross Way (8 AM-4:30 PM workdays, later starts Sundays), which serves as a convenient stop for those heading to Tenterden. Folkestone Gardening Services LTD on Morehall Avenue (workdays 9 AM-6 PM) offers professional landscaping solutions.