The new section at East Cliff is open to explore Photo: Ray Duff
By Ray Duff: Folkestone is gearing up for a massive summer of archaeology! Both locals and visitors can dive into the town’s ancient past with a brand-new excavation at East Cliff and a major museum exhibition showcasing stunning, never-before-seen Anglo-Saxon treasures.
A mysterious structure appears at East Cliff Photo: Ray Duff
If these sites sound familiar, it’s because both have been featured on BBC TV’s Digging for Britain over the last couple of years.
⛏️ The East Cliff Dig: Uncovering Folkestone’s Ancient Port
Years of modern excavations have already proven that Folkestone was a bustling, vital settlement and port during the Iron Age and Roman eras. This summer, teams are digging at Jock’s Pitch, located just below the famous Roman Villas site.
The team is investigating a mysterious feature first spotted in 2012, which was originally thought to be a Roman drain. Canterbury Archaeology Trust, local volunteers, and international university students have teamed up to see what is actually hiding beneath the surface.
What have they found so far?
It is still early days, but the site is already giving up its secrets:
- An unexplained, mysterious structure starting to emerge in one corner.
- Scattered greensand and broken quern stones (ancient tools used for grinding corn).
- Early hints of Roman pottery and roof tiles.
Learn More & Get Involved:
- East Wear Bay Project: eastwearbay.org
- Canterbury Archaeology Trust: Facebook Page
- Folkestone Research and Archaeology Group (FRAG): Facebook Page
⚔️ Folkestone Museum: “Raising the Dead” Exhibition
Down the road at the Folkestone Museum, a major new exhibition is opening to showcase incredible finds from a nearby Anglo-Saxon cemetery (dating from the late 5th to late 7th century).
Led by the University of Central Lancashire and local group Isle Heritage, this excavation has yielded jaw-dropping artifacts—including one of the best-preserved Anglo-Saxon swords ever found in Britain.
Exhibition Details:
- Name: Raising the Dead: Life and Loss in the Kingdom of Kent
- Location: Folkestone Museum, Town Hall, 1-2 Guildhall Street
- Dates: Saturday, July 4th to Wednesday, September 30th, 2026
- Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Special Events to Book:
- August 4: “Sip and Bead” interactive workshop
- September 19: “Masterclass – The Kingdom of Kent”
Learn More:
- Folkestone Museum: Facebook Page
- Isle Heritage: Facebook Page