Lower Leas Coastal Park Metropole Steps

Welcome to our award-winning park. Wildlife History Relaxation Here are some guidelines to make sure The park’s geology and coastal setting provide the Once a wild foreshore, landslips in 1784 created the Two thousands of servicemen and women danced Starting from the Leas Bandstand, the Zig Zag Path everyone can enjoy it safely: basis for a rich flora and fauna, particularly for park’s basic landform. In 1828, the Earl of Radnor to swing bands, and at a VE Day celebration takes you down to the 350-seat Amphitheatre migrating birds and built a toll road paratroopers climbed down a rope and into the Hall where a programme of free events, Be considerate of other people in the park, insects. The thin, sandy providing an easy through the balcony! In the swinging 60s and 70s including music, magic, comedy and Lower Leas especially if you are cycling or scooting. soil is ideal for native route between the acts included the Rolling Stones, T. Rex, and Status drama, is held each summer. wild plants, while the harbour and Sandgate. Quo. It was closed for modernisation and Nearby is the South East’s largest free south-facing undercliff An original toll house refurbishment on 16 September 1980 and re-opened Vehicles are allowed to park in marked bays adventure playground complete with The Lower Leas has a mild microclimate remains within the on 6 May 1981 which is the venue Coastal Park only. Nearest coach park is at harbour end. sunken pirate ship, zip lines and over 12 for wildlife that is park. Either side of the seen today. metres of tube slides! Careful, you may unusual elsewhere in the country. toll road, land was Campervans are not allowed to stay Today the Hall can accommodate audiences up to have difficulty in getting your children to Coastal Park cultivated and grazed. overnight. Historically the cliff-face and undercliff 1,500 people and some 150,000 people visit leave! Old field boundaries were mainly grassy slopes. In the every year. are still in evidence The Formal Zone between the Amphitheatre and Folkestone, Kent Keep dogs under control, and remember they 1880s, pines and holm and the Cow Path reminds us of the drove route The Zig Zag Path was built in 1921 as a new the Leas Lift has been sympathetically restored to aren’t allowed in the play areas. oaks were planted, from The Leas. attraction and to provide work for the unemployed. retain the spirit of the historic park. Plants throughout followed by self seeded As natural as it the park have been selected for their If you’re having a barbecue, use gas rather sycamores, which In 1843, the railway arrived and Folkestone grew looks, the cliff- resistance to drought and the than charcoal. If you do use charcoal, wait created coastal quickly from a small fishing town into a major resort face and grottoes salt air. for it to cool and then put it in the metal woodland with visitors from London, including Edward, Prince are entirely barbecue bins. Open fires are not allowed. with a lower canopy of of Wales. In the park, tea rooms, shelters and Interpretation panels help visitors artificial, being hawthorn and ground woodland walks were provided among the newly to understand the park and there built of mostly Let us know if you’re planning an event in cover including stinking planted holm oaks and pine trees so that people is even a ‘Pierscope’ to view the Pier, waste material the park, or if you have any suggestions or iris. The undercliff provides could “take the air”. now long since demolished. (Much less and coated in concerns. a habitat for butterflies, expensive than building a new one!) The Leas Cliff Hall was designed in 1913 by J.L. special cement bees, woodpeckers and Seaton Dahl to replace a smaller Victorian concert The SUSTRANS National Cycle Network Camping is not allowed anywhere in the park. called Pulhamite blue tits. venue called the “Leas Shelter”, from which three after its creator Route 2 passes through the park. The cast-iron air vents James Pulham. route is complemented by artwork, On the Put your rubbish in a bin, or take it home. can still be seen. Now a listed including entrance features and hand- seashore, The Great War structure, the path is one of the country’s finest sculpted benches. A labyrinth, designed by a local gulls wheel DODO NOT NOT DO NOT delayed the examples of his work. artist, has been added to stimulate creative thinking FEEDFEED THE THE FEED THE overhead as Hall’s using sandstone recovered from the underpass in LIVESTOCKLIVESTOCK LIVESTOCK shags skim the During 2007 the Coastal Park received a total of four construction and the town centre. surface searching awards; the prestigious Green Flag awarded by the it eventually for fish. Explore Civic Trust, best regional and best overall opened in 1927. rock pools at Regeneration Project from the Royal Town Planning A grade II listed Mill Point during low tide to find sea Institute and winner in the Landscape category of building and anemones, crabs and starfish. the Kent Design Awards. “Neo-Grec” in style the Hall’s upper floors are richly decorated – Folkestone & Hythe District Council are keen to Folkestone & Hythe District Council see if you can spot features including lions’ heads, continue consulting the public on the future and Folkestone’s emblem flanked by dolphins. development of the Coastal Park through a “Friends of the Park” group. If you are interested in joining the The Hall has witnessed many musical, dance and group please leave your contact details with any of fashion styles from Jazz to Rock. During World War [email protected] the staff on site. www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk Produced by ARC Creative Design Ltd. www.arccreative.net The Metropole The Grand Cycle Route 2 Leas Lift to Sandgate to A259 Vinery Warden Bandstand Zig Zag Path Leas Cliff Hall to Folkestone to A259 Town Centre P Clifton Crescent P Cars & Coaches Cars only to harbour arm & Sunny Sands P WC Pierscopes Labyrinth Mermaid Café Amphitheatre Lower Leas Coastal Park Metropole Steps.

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