'I quit London for beautiful seaside town miles away and it’s changed my life'

Many Londoners dream of escaping the city grind for a more peaceful coastal life while stuck in traffic or on their daily commute. For one content creator, this dream became a reality.

Bethany, a freelance creative and owner of The Creative Comms Company, shared her experience of leaving London behind for a new life in Kent.

She now splits her time between working in London and embracing a slower pace in rural Kent with her fiancé.

Bethany’s goal is to inspire others who are considering making a similar lifestyle change. The content creator speaks highly of her new home, describing it as a "glorious and underrated part of the country."

She now calls Folkestone home - less than an hour from London.

Once a port town on the English Channel, Folkestone offers an abundance of green spaces and beautiful sea views.

Folkestone’s Creative Quarter is also making waves in Bethany’s TikTok video.

This quirky district boasts a range of independent businesses and art spaces, with the Old High Street leading to the seaside proving particularly picturesque.

The Folkestone Quarterhouse is a hub for cultural activities, from live music and theatre to dance and comedy, not to mention the well-regarded Folkestone Book Festival.

The town's scenic harbour also gets a mention.

As Bethany puts it: "You can literally see France from the shore."

The restored Folkestone Harbour Arm is a lovely promenade, offering not just views of the town’s fishing history, but nearly 70 food and retail outlets.

In response to one commenter asking whether it’s better to take a bus or train from London, Bethany advises: "Definitely train!

"Go from St Pancras to Folkestone Central. Then take the walk to the Creative Quarter and onto the harbour arm, then along the beach to the west end/Sandgate!”

Bethany, like many former Londoners, has fallen in love with her new life by the sea, saying: "I just love the wonderful community, beaches and cafes, and how I can balance a couple of days of work in London every week whilst still living a slower life by the sea and the countryside."