Folkestone Warren
Folkestone Warren is a fascinating area of cliff, coast, woodland and grassland formed by a series of landslips. The beach is one of the best places in Britain to find fossils, particularly those of ammonites, and the rockpools can be explored at low tide.
To the north of the railway line and directly beneath the chalk cliffs is the hart’s-tongue wood, an area of humid and undisturbed woodland covered in the glossy-green fronds of hart’s tongue fern. To the south of the railway line is an area of chalk grassland where cattle grazing has been re-established.
The North Downs Way runs along the top of the cliffs and links the site to Folkestone Downs to the west and Samphire Hoe to the east.
The Warren is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Local Nature Reserve and is managed on behalf of Folkestone and Hythe District Council and Network Rail.
Things to look out for
Adonis blue, silver spotted skipper and grayling butterflies; great green bush-cricket, bee orchids, autumn gentian, juniper, peregrine falcon, rock pipit, adder and seals swimming offshore.
Visitor Information
Open: 24 hours
Parking: Small car park on site (What3Words ///count.places.feasted), access via unmade track. Nearest alternative parking at Pavillion Public Car Park, Wear Bay Road.
Accessibility: Uneven surfaces, steps and steep slopes.
Dogs: Welcome on leads.
Facilities: No on-site facilities.
Nearest bus stops: Foreland Avenue (Route 91), Helena Road (Route 102)
Other information: Please be aware of grazing animals.
