Hold onto your seaside hats, folks! Folkestone & Hythe District Council has launched a full-scale, glitter-cannon-powered offensive to lure unsuspecting tourists into its wonderfully weird embrace. Forget subtle hints; we’re talking full-blown, map-toting, website-remodeling pandemonium!
Yes, you heard it right! The digital realm has been given a makeover so dazzling, it could blind a seagull! Folkestoneandhythe.co.uk, once a humble digital brochure, is now a shimmering portal to the district’s “extraordinary” delights – and we’re not just talking about the 26 miles of coastline. (Though, let’s be honest, that’s pretty darn good.)
But wait, there’s more! A multi-channel campaign, designed to tickle the fancies of even the most discerning tourist is flooding the airwaves with promises of off-season adventures. Think: bracing winter walks, windswept kite flying, and maybe, just maybe, a competitive pebble-skimming championship.
And because navigating this wonderland of whimsy can be tricky, they’ve unleashed a new map of Folkestone, illustrated by a local artist with a penchant for the peculiar. Imagine a map where fish wear tiny hats and buildings have googly eyes. This isn’t just a map; it’s a conversation starter!
“We’re basically throwing a charm party, and everyone’s invited,” exclaimed Cllr Rich Holgate, the district’s chief charm-monger. “We’ve got maps coming for Hythe, Sandgate, and even the mysterious Romney Marsh – because who doesn’t want to get lost in a marsh?”
With tourism injecting a hefty £269 million into the local economy and supporting over 5,000 jobs, it’s no surprise they’re pulling out all the stops. Especially since Time Out declared Folkestone the UK’s top spot to visit, thanks in part to the upcoming Folkestone Triennial art festival, where you can probably expect to see sculptures made of cheese graters and interpretive dance performances involving garden gnomes.
So, pack your bags, grab your map (the one with the fish in hats), and prepare to be utterly charmed. And remember, if you get lost, just follow the trail of glitter. You’ll find your way back to Folkestone & Hythe’s “extraordinary” embrace.
Find your extraordinary at folkestoneandhythe.co.uk and follow the delightful chaos on @fhextraordinary on Instagram and X.