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Harbours & ports · South East England

Folkestone Harbour

In or near Capel-le-Ferne.

Free admission🐾 Dog-friendly👪 Family-friendly4.6 · 4,456 Google reviews

Folkestone Harbour — harbour at Folkestone, Kent, England, UK.

Folkestone Harbour, harbours & ports in Kent

Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence

Plan your visit

Typical visit
45 min–1.5 h
Nearest railway station
Folkestone Central · 1.5 km
  • Free entry
  • Family-friendly
  • Dog-friendly

Getting there & planning your visit

To visit Folkestone Harbour, the nearest railway station is Folkestone Central, located 1.5 km away. The postcode for sat-nav is CT19 6AB. Entry to the harbour is free, and accessibility details are not specified.

Directions on Google Maps →

About

Folkestone Harbour is a harbour in the United Kingdom. Wikidata describes it as: "harbour at Folkestone, Kent, England, UK". Coordinates: 51.0795°, 1.1896°.

Photo gallery

360° view

Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0

Official information

Folkestone Harbour is a vibrant seaside destination in Kent, offering visitors a chance to enjoy scenic views, diverse food and drink options, and various entertainment events. The area has been revitalized to create a lively promenade and a new seafront experience for locals and tourists alike.

Protected designations

  • Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Kent Downs

Designations sourced from Natural England open data under OGL v3.

From the Wikipedia article

Folkestone Harbour is the main harbour of the town of Folkestone in Kent, England. The harbour was developed during the 19th century, and became prominent after the South Eastern Railway (SER) began running boat trains to France. It was an important embarkation point for soldiers during both World Wars, and continued to be a popular traffic route for holidaymakers and goods traffic. The opening of the Channel Tunnel in 1994, along with a reduction in the local fishing industry, caused the harbour to decline in importance. In the 21st century, it has been redeveloped into a centre for leisure and tourism.

Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.

Background

History

In 1541, King Henry VIII of England was about to wage a war against the French. A plan was made to use Folkestone as a port of embarkation to supplies and troops. He sent a Master Tuk and Master Captain of Sandgate to look for a site for the new harbour. Plans were made but never implemented. On 2 May 1542, the king came to Folkestone but then headed to Dover on 6 May. The Folkestone Harbour plan was abandoned. In 1703, a heavy storm swept away one of the fishing boats on the shingle beach and damaged many other boats. Also several houses had their foundations undermined as the beach was carried away. An engineer from Romney Marsh advised the local fisherman that the construction of three…

Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Coordinates
51.0795, 1.1896
County
Kent
Parish
Folkestone
Postcode
CT19 6AB
Parliamentary constituency
Folkestone and Hythe
Established
1807
Nearest railway station
Folkestone Central1.5 km

Sources

Other places nearby

Nearby

Bench mark, Folkestone Harbour - geograph.org.uk - 5557034📷 5

Public art & sculpture · South East England

Holiday Home

Holiday Home — a public art in england-south-east, United Kingdom.

Free🐕folkestoneharbourarm.co.uk
The Ship Inn, The Stade, Folkestone - geograph.org.uk - 6355864📷 5

Public art & sculpture · South East England

Other People's Photographs The Stade

Other People's Photographs The Stade — a public art in england-south-east, United Kingdom.

Free🐕
The Grand Burstin Hotel, Folkestone - geograph.org.uk - 1718491📷 5

Public art & sculpture · South East England

Climate Emergency Services

Climate Emergency Services — a public art in england-south-east, United Kingdom.

Free🐕folkestoneharbourarm.co.uk
The Folkestone Mermaid📷 5

National landscapes (AONB) · South East England

The Folkestone Mermaid

The Folkestone Mermaid — Public artwork (sculpture) by Cornelia Parker.

Free🐕
Former Harbour Railway Station - geograph.org.uk - 5744065📷 5

Farmers’ markets · South East England

The Goods Yard

The Goods Yard — a UK farmers' market in england south east.

Freefolkestoneharbourarm.co.uk
Railway line at Folkestone Harbour - geograph.org.uk - 1718328📷 5

Cinemas · South East England

The Harbour Screen

The Harbour Screen — a cinema in england south east.

Where to eat & stay near Folkestone Harbour

Places to stay

The Inner Harbour, Folkestone - geograph.org.uk - 6788063📷 5

Hotels · South East England

Grand Burstin Hotel

Grand Burstin Hotel — a hotel in england south east.

britanniahotels.com
Looking west-southwest across Castle Hill Avenue - geograph.org.uk - 4838966📷 7

Hotels · South East England

10 to 12

10 to 12 — a hotel in england south east.

Flats on Westbourne Gardens, Folkestone (3) - geograph.org.uk - 3912048📷 5

Hotels · South East England

Best Western Plus Burlington Hotel

Best Western Plus Burlington Hotel — a hotel in england south east. Brand: Best Western Plus.

Folkestone, Little Switzerland Campsite - geograph.org.uk - 2261625📷 5

Campsites · South East England

Little Switzerland

Little Switzerland — a campsite in england south east.

caravancampingsites.co.uk
Folkestone Warren - geograph.org.uk - 2561896📷 5

Campsites · South East England

Folkstone Camping and Caravan Club Site

Folkstone Camping and Caravan Club Site — a campsite in england south east.

Freecampingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Burger King Fast Food Restaurant - geograph.org.uk - 2170963📷 5

Hostels · South East England

Cherry Garden B&B

Cherry Garden B&B — a hostel in england south east.

Places to eat & drink

The Raglan, Folkestone - geograph.org.uk - 4586246📷 5

Historic pubs · South East England

The Martello Public House

The Martello Public House in England South East, United Kingdom.

El Davo mural, St Eanswythe Way - geograph.org.uk - 5095633📷 5

Historic pubs · South East England

The Samuel Peto

The Samuel Peto in England South East, United Kingdom.

jdwetherspoon.com
Hythe High Street, Elizabeth Jane and Alexander Fleming - geograph.org.uk - 5258067📷 5

Historic pubs · South East England

The White Hart Inn

The White Hart Inn in England South East, United Kingdom.

The Dukes Head, Dymchurch Road, Hythe - geograph.org.uk - 6348842📷 5

Historic pubs · South East England

Dukes Head Inn

Dukes Head Inn in England South East, United Kingdom.

Swingate Inn, near Dover - geograph.org.uk - 2032869📷 7

Restaurants · South East England

The Swingate Inn, Namaste Curry House

The Swingate Inn, Namaste Curry House — a restaurant in england south east. Cuisine: indian.

swingate.co.uk
Five Bells sign - geograph.org.uk - 6478972📷 5

Historic pubs · South East England

The Five Bells

The Five Bells in England South East, United Kingdom.

fivebellsbrabourne.co.uk

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Shoreham-by-Sea — seaside town and port in West Sussex, England.

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Harbours & ports · South East England

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Chichester Harbour — Harbour & Site of Special Scientific Interest in Chichester, West Sussex.

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Colt Hill Wharf📷 5

Harbours & ports · South East England

Colt Hill Wharf

Colt Hill Wharf is a harbour in the United Kingdom.

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Folkestone Harbour?
Folkestone Harbour is in Kent, South-East England, United Kingdom (postcode CT19 6AB), in the parish of Folkestone.
What is Folkestone Harbour?
Folkestone Harbour — harbour at Folkestone, Kent, England, UK.
How do I get to Folkestone Harbour?
The nearest railway station is Folkestone Central, about 1.5 km away. Drivers can use postcode CT19 6AB.
When was Folkestone Harbour built?
Built or established in 1807.
Who owns Folkestone Harbour?
Folkestone Harbour is owned by The Folkestone Harbour Company.
Is Folkestone Harbour a protected site?
Yes — Folkestone Harbour is part of the Kent Downs National Landscape (AONB).
How do I get to Folkestone Harbour?
The nearest railway station is Folkestone Central, about 1.5 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode CT19 6AB.