This film is part of Free
Edwardian Folkestone
From road sweepers to rollercoasters - all life is here in this stunning portrait of Folkestone in its Edwardian heyday.
Overview
Hang on to your seat, it's going to be a thrilling ride! Old mariners, society ladies and shopkeepers rub shoulders in a remarkably vivid portrait of Folkestone in all its Edwardian glory. Many of the visitor attractions seen - the parks, the promenade and the harbour - still stand today, but the town's biggest draw - the wonderful wooden Switchback Railway (a precursor to the modern rollercoaster) - is sadly no more.
The identity of the person responsible for this remarkable film is still something of a mystery. It was possibly shot by Mr T A Delcomyn, a former Group Scoutmaster and 'man of independent means' with a keen interest in photography.
Related
Southern Seaside Southern Seaside
Travelogue 1935 15 mins Silent Location: Bournemouth
Anyone for a trip to the seaside? From Bournemouth to Margate via Brighton and Folkestone – sunny delights in abundance.
Folkestone Spacious and Gracious Folkestone Spacious and Gracious
Promotional 1969 10 mins Location: Folkestone
There's something for everyone in Folkestone as this promotional film claims - including lidos, fine dining, cliff railways and the weirdest fitness machines ever seen
Susan Goes to Sompting Susan Goes to Sompting
1961 13 mins Location: Folkestone
Veteran tennis commentator Peter West takes us on a journey around a boarding school for disabled children.
Channel Between Channel Between
Amateur film 1964 16 mins Silent Location: Gravesend
Wilf Green and his family enjoy a day out in Calais before returning to Deal for more sight-seeing in this delightful film from the mid-sixties
World Premiere of "Kipps" World Premiere of "Kipps"
Documentary 1941 6 mins Location: Folkestone
Glamour comes to wartime Folkestone as the town hosts its first world film premiere.
Walk around Folkestone Walk around Folkestone
Amateur film 1985 5 mins Silent Location: Folkestone
Folkestone on foot is the subject of this quirky and mysterious film from the 1980s which hints that there is a lot more to the town than just a ferry terminal.
New Perspectives: Tangerine New Perspectives: Tangerine
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Wallace, a student at Northumbria university, explains why Sean Baker's LA-set comedy-drama, about a transgender sex worker on the hunt for her cheating -ex, is worth your time.
Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.