Sports and Leisure in Folkestone, Hythe & Romney Marsh

If action of the sporting kind is important in your holiday plans, head for Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh. Right round the year, indoors and outdoors, just about every kind of activity and pastime is on offer.

While angling, playing golf, bowls or tennis, swimming or taking part in an exciting water sport may be your preference, there are many other activities to choose from when you visit our coast and countryside.

Excellent facilities for badminton, squash, indoor bowls and health and fitness activities are provided by numerous sports centres and clubs. Sailing and water ski-ing are to be enjoyed all along the coast, and the broad, sandy beaches which border the Romney Marsh are super for sand yachting.

Jet-skiers and go-kart enthusiasts are able to test their skills at purpose-designed centres near Lydd. Skate parks are among outdoor attractions for younger visitors.  For equestrians , there are miles of country lanes and plenty of open spaces. (Mounts are available from local livery stables). If kite flying is more in your line, our beaches and hilly hinterlands are great places to catch the breeze. The great spectator sport for thousands of visitors is horse racing. Folkestone Racecourse , at Westenhanger, near Hythe, is Kent's only course and stages an attractive Flat and National Hunt calendar. Golf enthusiasts will have already noted that the final qualifying round of the 2011 British Open will be held at Littlestone, a fine links course between the Romney Marsh and the Channel.

If active sport isn't for you many local clubs welcome visitors who would like to share their leisure interests with members during their stay. If your hobbies include gardening, flower arranging, bridge, dancing, debating, dramatics, music, choir singing, stamp collecting,  photography, model aeroplanes and railways, darts, snooker, billiards and cribbage you'll find lots of kindred spirits in and and around Folkestone.