Literary adventures on the coast
Discover Folkestone & Hythe’s bookshops, festivals and cosy reading corners…
There’s something about the coastline between Folkestone and Hythe that seems to invite storytelling. From independent bookshops to welcoming cafés and creative festivals, this stretch of Kent coast offers countless ways to experience literary adventures – whether you’re a passionate reader, an aspiring writer, or simply looking to slow down with a good book by the sea.
There are so many creative highlights in the area, here are just a few for the bookworms and writers…
Bookshops that inspire literary adventures
At the heart of the town sits Folkestone Bookshop, a much-loved independent store where shelves brim with carefully chosen titles. It’s the kind of place where conversations spark over recommendations and friends gather to read, write and chat. The Folkestone Book Shop is more than just an independent book shop, it is an inclusive community hub and safe space. They run events – don’t miss book club, illustration club, story time, writing groups and their weekly LGTB+ family events.
Along the coast in Dymchurch and throughout Hythe, an array of second-hand bookshops offer a slower pace of discovery. Here, every shelf holds the promise of a hidden gem just perfect for visitors needing a holiday read or locals building ever-growing home libraries. Browse at your leisure and see what you can find!
Festivals and writers bringing literary coast adventures to life
Each autumn, the celebrated Folkestone Book Festival transforms the town into a hub of creativity and conversation- championing Folkestone as a leading destination for creativity while pushing boundaries and celebrating storytelling in all its forms.
From Thursday 12 to Sunday 22 November 2026, Folkestone will once again become a town alive with storytelling. Festival curator Sophie Haydock is shaping a programme that is ambitious, bold and transformative. Building on the “confessional, curious and connective” spirit of recent years, the 2026 festival invites visitors to step into other people’s worlds and explore ideas both big and small.
Whether you’re attending world-class talks from headline authors, enjoying the electric Local Authors Showcase, or discovering the inspiring Primary School Series, there is a place for everyone in this welcoming literary community.
Writing communities also flourish here. Groups such as Write by the Sea Folkestone Writers Group provide welcoming spaces for creativity, encouraging writers of all abilities to share ideas, develop skills, and draw inspiration from the surrounding coastline. It’s yet another way locals and visitors can immerse themselves in literary coast adventures, turning the landscape itself into a source of inspiration.
Cosy cafés perfect for literary coast adventures
No reading journey is complete without the perfect place to pause. Thankfully, this region is rich in cosy cafés where stories unfold alongside steaming cups of coffee.
Just a short stroll into the Creative Quarter, Steep Street Café blends café culture with literary charm. With towering shelves piled high with books, cosy seating and tasty homemade bakes, it’s an ideal stop for browsing, writing, or simply enjoying a peaceful moment with a novel.
In Hythe, Nutmeg Café offers a warm, inviting atmosphere ideal for settling into a comfortable chair with a new purchase from a nearby bookshop. The brunch is absolutely delicious here. Sample the french toast with a creamy latte and a good book – heaven.
Further across the marshland landscape of Romney Marsh, The Nest provides a relaxed countryside setting that pairs beautifully with slow mornings, delicious treats, warm drinks and long chapters.
For seaside reading with a coastal breeze, head to Sandgate, where charming stops such as Orchard Lane Coffee House and Loaf make perfect beachside companions. Grab a coffee, find a spot near the shore, and let the sound of the waves become the soundtrack to your reading- one of the simplest yet most memorable literary coast adventures.
Libraries on the coast: Open doors, open stories
Across the Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh area, libraries continue to play a vital role in everyday life -offering free access to books, digital services, community spaces and quiet moments of escape. They are an essential part of the region’s literary coast adventures, ensuring that stories remain accessible to everyone, wherever they are.
Kent Libraries also extend far beyond traditional buildings. A network of mobile library vans travels across Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh on a regular two-week schedule, bringing books, reservations and digital access directly to local communities. These mobile stops allow residents to browse, collect pre-ordered titles, and stay connected to reading services without needing to travel far—an important lifeline for many rural and coastal areas.
Local Library Branches
The region is supported by a strong network of open and active library branches, each offering welcoming spaces for reading, study and community activity:
- Hythe Library – located at Stade Street, providing full library services in a bright, community-focused setting.
- New Romney Library – serving the Romney Marsh community from its High Street location.
- Lydd Library – a valued local hub for readers and families in the area.
- Cheriton, Sandgate and Lyminge Libraries– much loved local libraries – do check opening times before you visit!
Together, these branches form a connected reading network across the coast supported by mobile libraries and home delivery services that reach even the most rural corners of Kent. Whether you’re stepping into a branch or meeting a mobile library at its stop these services ensure that literary coast adventures are never far away, always ready to inspire the next chapter.
It’s a love story
Tucked along the lively stretch of Folkestone Harbour Arm, a new chapter is unfolding for lovers of love stories. Cosy Cottage Romance is a charming, specialist bookshop dedicated entirely to the romance genre – part of a growing movement that has seen similar spaces pop up from New York City to cities across the UK. More than just a place to browse, it taps into a wider culture where readers will happily travel for the experience of discovering stories in a setting designed just for them.
Inside the cosy hut, the focus is as much on community as it is on books. Shelves are thoughtfully split between new titles and pre-loved finds, with a strong emphasis on independently published authors and local voices. Regular signings bring readers face-to-face with writers, echoing the spirit of global fan gatherings like Romance Author and Reader Events, where enthusiasts plan entire trips around their favourite genre.
It’s this sense of immersion that makes Cosy Cottage Romance feel special. Alongside the novels themselves, you’ll find the small comforts that turn reading into ritual- mugs for a proper cup of tea, softly scented candles, protective book sleeves, and thoughtfully designed merchandise. It’s the kind of place where a simple browse becomes an afternoon well spent, and where the story doesn’t end when you leave—it follows you home, tucked under your arm.
Writing your very own chapter by the sea
What makes this stretch of coastline so special is how easily it encourages creativity. You might arrive to browse bookshops, attend an author talk, or enjoy coffee with a paperback – but often you leave with ideas of your own.
From browsing independent shelves to listening to inspiring speakers, from scribbling notes in cafés to reading beside the sea, literary coast adventures here unfold naturally. Whether you’re visiting for a day or staying for a week, Folkestone, Hythe, and the surrounding villages offer the perfect setting to rediscover the joy of stories – and perhaps begin writing one of your own.