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A SECRET wild walk right by the beach is said to be one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Tucked away along the Folkestone coastline in Kent, The Warren once had its own train station and cafe as well as child's playground and gardens.

Folkestone Warren has been named one of the most beautiful places on earth
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Folkestone Warren has been named one of the most beautiful places on earthCredit: Alamy
The area was once popular with British holidaymakers
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The area was once popular with British holidaymakersCredit: Getty
A number of landslips resulted in the closure of the nearby train station
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A number of landslips resulted in the closure of the nearby train stationCredit: Alamy

Called the Folkestone Warren Halt railway station, it was opened in 1886 by South Eastern Railways.

Despite this, is closed that same year after the then Lord Radnor warned it was trespassing on his land.

It reopened 22 years later in 1908 - only to close again in 1915 following a huge landslip, and only opening again in 1919.

Another landslip in 1939 closed it to the public, where it remained as a staff facility until 1971 when it closed for good.

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Following the closure, it slowly fell into disrepair and is now a wild landscape with 150 species of birds and wildflowers, and is protected as a  Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Local Nature Reserve.

As part of the Kent Downs and Heritage Coastline, it is found between Folkestone and Dover.

The sandy beach is less popular that the other nearby beaches including the nearby Mermaid Beach or Sandgate Beach.

However, lots of visitors have raved about it being "peaceful" and "secluded," with one saying: "A beautiful and quiet place to energise from bustle life."

Another wrote: "Probably the best beach in Kent."

"Its secluded, hardly visited, miles of sandy beaches that gradually slip into the sea. Clean clear water and perfect swimming."

The 138-year-old seaside attraction set to reopen in 2025 – and it’s right next to the beach

And local website Folkelife calls it one of the "most beautiful places on earth".

They added: "It’s a secret wilderness, hidden by forested walks which open to truly the most beautiful of coastal views."

Some of the best views are found at the top of the Martello Tower No.1, used as a defence fort.

Views include the White Cliffs of Dover and on a clear day, can even see France.

You can still visit the sandy beach, which is much quieter than other nearby areas
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You can still visit the sandy beach, which is much quieter than other nearby areasCredit: Getty

Visitors often visit the area to go rockpooling - when the tide is out - or fossil hunting with dinosaur prints found in the sand.

There are also large concrete structures that are still in place following World War II.

If you fancy staying nearby, there is the Folkestone Camping and Caravanning Club Site nearby, along with parking.

There is also The Valiant Sailor pub, serving food and local beers.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

Also set to reopen in Folkestone is the 138-year-old Leas Lift, connecting the town to the beach.

And here's what it's like to live in Folkestone.

The World's 50 Best Beaches

The World's Best Beaches consulted more than 750 judges including travel journalists, influencers, and beach ambassadors to rank the beaches.

  1. Lucky Bay, Australia
  2. Source D'Argent, Seychelles
  3. Hidden, Philippines
  4. Whitehaven, Australia
  5. One Foot, Cook Islands
  6. Trunk, US Virgin Islands
  7. Honopu, Hawaii
  8. Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland
  9. Navagio Beach, Greece
  10. Balandra, Mexico
  11. Cala Goloritze, Italy
  12. Pipe Creek, Bahamas
  13. Pink, Indonesia
  14. Grace, Turks & Caicos
  15. Gardner, Ecuador
  16. Mcway, California
  17. Turquoise, Australia
  18. Le Morne, Mauritius
  19. Sancho, Brazil
  20. Seven Mile, Cayman Islands
  21. Lanikai, Hawaii
  22. Maya, Thailand
  23. Moro, Spain
  24. Kelingking, Indonesia
  25. Meads, Anguilla
  26. Flamenco, Puerto Rico
  27. Arena, Dominican Republic
  28. Little Hellfire, Australia
  29. Lazio, Seychelles
  30. Vaeroy, Norway
  31. Horseshoe, Bermuda
  32. Myrtos, Greece
  33. Hidden, Mexico
  34. Grand Anse, Grenada
  35. Xpu Ha, Mexico
  36. San Josef, Canada
  37. Matira, French Polynesia
  38. Capriccioli, Italy
  39. Pasjaca, Croatia
  40. Boulders, South Africa
  41. Salines, Martinique
  42. Champagne, Vanuatu
  43. Marinha, Portugal
  44. Balos, Greece
  45. Achmelvich, Scotland
  46. Kaputas, Turkey
  47. Radhangar, India
  48. Varadero, Cuba
  49. Piha, New Zealand
  50. Pink Sand, Bahamas 

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