Celebrating 10 years of Folkestone Harbour
It has become one of the South East’s most exciting coastal spots
This year marks 10 years since Folkestone Harbour transformed from a derelict former ferry terminal into a thriving seaside destination. Once a fading industrial site with a history as a lorry park and WW1 departure point, it has become one of the South East’s most exciting coastal spots, drawing visitors from across the country wanting to explore its independent food, drink, and year-rounds events offerings.
The turning point came in 2004, when Sir Roger De Haan purchased the Harbour. At the time, it was closed, crumbling, and without purpose. Determined to breathe new life into the dilapidated site, Sir Roger led a visionary project with world-renowned architects and designers. In 2015, the newly formed Harbour Company secured planning permission for a visionary regeneration project, including homes, shops, restaurants, bars, and public spaces - a concept that felt wildly ambitious at the time.
Soon after, extensive works began restoring historic structures like The Harbour Arm, Customs House, The Signal Box, The Lighthouse (now an iconic stylish Champagne Bar) and The Harbour Station, which would go on to win Best Overall Entry at the National Railway Heritage Awards. Folkestone Harbour’s new identity began to take shape in summer 2015, when a small group of local food traders were part of a ten-week, experimental pop-up on the Harbour Arm. With the public gaining full access to the place for the first time, it was a surprising hit.
This early success paved the way for Folkestone Harbour Arm’s full summer season in 2016, with live music, quirky events, and an ever-growing street food scene. What started as a bold experiment quickly became a celebrated model for coastal regeneration, with food, drink and free events at its heart.
Over the years, the Harbour has evolved into a vibrant dining destination. The Goods Yard, once a cobbled together, lockdown-era experiment with hay bales and small huts, is now a year-round destination with ten independent street food vendors serving everything from authentic Nepalese to Jacket potatoes. It’s also the beating heart of the Harbour’s events calendar - hosting free outdoor cinema, live sport, and the now-iconic Wünder Harbour; a fun twist on the well-known Bavarian celebration.
The foodie offering has grown substantially in the last decade, transforming from 9 seasonal outlets to over 70 year-round businesses now calling Folkestone Harbour home, with 11 restaurants opening since 2022 alone. Highlights include Brewing Brothers' beachside pizza pub, Sailbox’s brunch with a view and fresh seafood on the beach at Little Rock. 2024 saw two beautifully restored train carriages join the family: Cavells (Mediterranean and Mezze) and Shesells Seashells (indulgent seafood platters).
Folkestone Harbour continues to be a beacon of regeneration on the South East coast with a guiding mission to ‘Reinvent the English Seaside Experience’.
Folkestone Harbour’s 10th anniversary celebrations will run from 23rd May to 1st June with a free to attend, fireworks extravaganza closing proceedings on the evening of Sunday 1st June. Visitors can expect a vibrant mix of art, culture, food and sport, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Full details at folkestoneharbourarm.co.uk.
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