On Saturday 28 March, Folkestone’s Sunny Sands beach was transformed into a large-scale, open-air exchange of stories, as 2,073 people took part in the Beach Book Swap.
From 2pm until 3pm, Folkestone’s book-loving community gathered by the sea to give, swap and discover. Over the course of the hour, books moved steadily across the beach, creating a shared moment shaped by reading, curiosity and exchange.
Participation significantly exceeded the previous record of 591 for a one-hour book swap of this kind, marking a notable milestone for both the project and the town.
The Book Swap represents a key public moment for Folkestone is a Library, Creative Folkestone’s multi-year place-based programme. Folkestone is a Library is a three-year Arts Council England Place Partnership Programme by Creative Folkestone, with additional funding from The Linbury Trust and Holiday Extras, and delivered in partnership with Kent County Council, local libraries, Turner Schools and community organisations. Together, the programme reimagines the town as a living library - where stories move through streets, homes and public spaces.
Alongside the swap, the event included live readings including by Robin Ince who opened the event with a new poem written for the day, broadcast activity and informal spaces across the beach and Coronation Parade, enabling people to take part in different ways throughout the afternoon.
The book swap is one of the ways that we are contributing to the National Year of Reading 2026, a national movement and a UK-wide campaign designed to help more people rediscover the joy of reading.
The event was made possible through the contribution of volunteers and partners, supporting a welcoming and inclusive environment on the day.
Further activity as part of Folkestone is a Library will continue across Folkestone in the coming months, building towards future town-wide moments.
Visit folkestoneisalibrary.com to find out more.