Visit to Folkestone and Hythe, Friday 19 April

A brisk wind and lowering skies did not make for an auspicious day out, but, yet again, a trip to places that we think we already know well proved to be interesting, informative and, most importantly, highly enjoyable.

The Grand Hotel in Folksone seemed, at first sight, like so many of the Edwardian hotels that proliferate the South Coast, resplendent in their faded grandeur but somehow conscious that their glory days are long gone. However, all was not what it seemed. After a welcoming coffee, we divided into two groups for a fascinating tour of this tardis-like hotel, with stories about such illustrious guests as  Edward V11 and Mrs Keppel , the Belgian Royal family in the First World War, Agatha Christie and Princess Margaret, not forgetting Michael Caine’s debut performance as a child actor.

That the hotel is still a success is due to the vision (and money) of one man, Michael Stainer, who bought the hotel in the 1970’s and has enabled it to prosper. The lunch time crowd proved it was still very much a focal point and our excellent lunch underlined the point.

Owner of Grand Hotel show the visitors the basement

In the afternoon, we moved on to Hythe where, after a welcome at the 18th century Town Hall, we again divided into two groups for a tour of the town. The worsening weather restricted us largely to the fine buildings of the High Street and we ended in St Leonard’s, one of the most impressive parish churches in Kent. After a most informative talk and a chance to explore the church, we ended the day, appropriately, in the fascinating bonehouse where we were greeted by almost 600 skulls and innumerable other skeletal remains. A humbling end to a fascinating day.

Group is shown the town by a Hythe Civic Society guide