Folkestone

A very touching memorial dedicated to the men who fought and died in Britain's most desperate hour. Recreations of vintage aeroplanes are also on display.

Observe from the hills to the northwest of Folkestone - Caesar's Camp or Castle Hill and Crete Road West are good spots - the shuttle trains loading cars and lorries before their undersea trip to France. The Channel Tunnel is described as one of the "Seven Wonders of the Modern World". On clear days, you also have a fine view over the English Channel and nearby parts of the French coast.

A volunteer-run museum preserving the memory of the long-vanished Elham Valley Railway. Highlights include a magnificently-restored 1930s-era station, an original loco, and a model of the original line. The museum profits from its proximity to the Channel Tunnel, presenting a working scale model of the terminal, and the last remaining tunnel manrider in existence. Adjacent to this is an early 18th-century barn which, moved piece-by-piece from its original location (now buried under the Eurotunnel terminal), displays old farming equipment and other rural artifacts, and is also a space for artisan crafts. Children's miniature railway, model shop and tea room on-site.

Chalk figure of a horse which overlooks the town. No, it's not an ancient monument; it was commissioned for the millennium celebrations and completed in 2003 by local artist Charles Newington. Best viewed from afar; Weymouth Road and the car park of Tesco are good specs, but it's visible from much of Folkestone. If you're just passing through to get to the continent, the outbound Eurotunnel terminal has some of the clearest and closest views. Incidentally, as you approach Folkestone Central Station on foot, you can see a bronze cast of Charles Newington's hand among the 101 created by the Strange Cargo collective to commemorate the millenium. His is dated 1950 and is the only cast to include another feature: a miniature white horse.

There are 74 outdoor artworks dotted around the town, promoted by Creative Folkestone. These include an Anthony Gormley statue under the harbour and Richard Woods' bungalows.

At the centre of Folkestone's Creative Quarter, is this arts centre and venue, which hosts regular comedy and music gigs, film screenings, discussions, artisan markets and other community events. Unusual "modern Gothic" café-bar upstair.

A large park which becomes progressively wilder the further from town you venture. By the entrance, it's all very civilised: bowling greens, pitch and putt, a play area. But a challenging walk or cycle towards the sea finds you descending through landslipped cliffs and scrubland. This part of the park is a nature reserve and site of special scientific interest (SSSI), home to over 150 bird species and typical coastal plants such as rock sea lavender and samphire. At the bottom of the descent, you can go rockpooling, hunt for fossils or fish in the sea.

Home to the annual Folkestone sandcastle competition, this is a rare high-quality sandy beach on a coastline dominated by shingle. As such, space is short supply on hot days and near non-existent at high tide. Toilets and nearby food and drink facilities make this a handy place for families. Look out for the statue of a mermaid perched on a rock gazing out to sea. Lifeguard service spring and summer weekends. No dogs May-Oct.