The History of The Folkestone Smallpox Hospital

Description

Folkestone historian, author and shop proprietor Sue Sheppard dives into the unsettling past of the isolation hospital on Dover Hill in her new publication, The History of the Folkestone Smallpox Hospital.

The publication, a follow-up to her popular book Infected Folkestone, uncovers the long-held secrets of the isolation hospital perched on Dover Hill, a site known to generations as “Smallpox Hill.” For years, the mere mention of a forgotten hospital on the town’s edge has sparked curiosity and a touch of unease among residents. The twisting road and its steep ascent seem to perfectly match the idea of a place hidden away from the community due to a deep-seated fear of contagion.

Sheppard’s latest work delves into this mystery, exploring not just the hospital’s history, but also the broader, devastating impact of smallpox on humanity.

“The smallpox hospital has always been shrouded in mystery,” says Sheppard. “I wanted to uncover the truth behind the stories and show how Folkestone’s history connects to a much larger global struggle against one of the deadliest diseases in human history.”

The History of the Folkestone Smallpox Hospital will be available to buy at Lacies shop, 127 Dover Road, and The Folkestone Bookshop in Tontine Street, from this Thursday 25 September 2025.

About the Author:

Sue Sheppard is a local historian and the author of Infected Folkestone. Her work focuses on revealing hidden aspects of the town’s past and making them accessible to the wider community.