The Place to be – Folkestone Harbour arm

Since 2014, Folkestone’s Harbour has been renovated by Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company to provide a wonderful public space for people to enjoy.  Folkestone Harbour Arm is open daily for promenading and the area is home to vibrant and exciting food and drink venues, with free live music and films and sport shown on the Big Screen.

This is one of Kent’s most visited seaside attractions, visitors have been able to take advantage of the unique perspective the Arm offers the town of Folkestone.  The stunning views of the Kent Downs and Heritage Coast are illustrated by a new information board as part of this area becoming an international Unesco Geosite. The site has also won Best Food Destination 2026 from the Kent & Medway Food and Drinks awards. Its bars and restaurants are multiple winners of Muddy Stiletto awards over the years.

The relaxed feel to dining at Folkestone Harbour means you can queue at your chosen trader and find a table to share your food with friends. There’s a wealth of choice, from sit-down restaurants and dining cars to take-away and open-air options.

Discover what Folkestone Harbour Arm has to offer

Folkestone Harbour Arm is known for its food vendors and great entertainment.  The Arm itself is has distinct areas where you will find a diverse range of experiences.  The area known as Platform 3 is where you will find Cavels serving authentic Mediterranean food from a renovated luggage carriage. SheSells SeaShells launched in late 2021 serving plated lobster and Chapel Down wine; you can sit on the Arm with a knife and fork, a bronze plate and a delicious meal.

There is covered seating here to protect you from the sun or shelter from the breeze.  Walking up the Harbour Arm there is the Solstice Bar, a red and white striped bus serving a range of soft drinks, beers, wines and cocktails. Reynolds Ice Cream Van is here too, every weekend, so wait your turn for the biggest ice cream experience.  Every weekend there are pop up food traders from Mexican to Asian street foods on offer.  Expect to find some vibrant, exciting flavours and brand new traders, alongside some old favourites returning to Folkestone.

platform 4

Continuing along the Arm you reach Platform 4 which is the covered platform.  This area has been renovated and opened in 2022.  The internal dividing walls have been removed and replaced by granite divides and this is home to two fantastic venues – Gaia Studios with Gaia + Grind, and The Tasting Rooms.  To enter this area you’ll walk up the embarkation stairs or via the ramp access.  The Tasting Rooms run by the team behind The Lighthouse Champagne and Music Bar are also on Platform 4. Gaia + Grind serves food from 8am, and then move to Gaia Studios for your cocktails and music nights.

Paulo Kingston-Correia, Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company’s General Manager said of the traders  “Our aim is to start people small and be an incubator where they can grow.  Some of our traders have grown around the town and help the rest of Folkestone flourish.  Others have developed here, which is what we really encourage.  That’s why you will see some traders in multiple locations on the Harbour site, or entering bigger locations here.  And as we flourish, that helps Folkestone flourish too.”

the goods yard

Many traders who have started off as a small offering now have a hut in The Goods Yard.  This is a space where you can sit, eat and drink, and watch films or sport live on the Harbour Screen.  The diversity of choice of food reaches from Barney And The Pizza to Greek and Nepalese and much more besides.  It is a fantastic place to experience family entertainment such as live sports, the World Cup, Olympics or your favourite seasonal film.

Beachside

Rocksalt’s award-winning Pilot Bar is on the beach-side of the Harbour Arm alongside its sister restaurant Little Rock.  You can sit in or outside to eat your freshly caught and cooked fish at Little Rock. Or you can join your dog at the Pilot Bar and get your meal from Little Rock delivered to you there. Walking along the Boardwalk will bring you into the Station for a little respite to skate on the ramps and tricks, or to walk along the top to the Lighthouse Champagne Bar for a tipple of your choice as you look out to sea.

There is a 12-hole, adventure golf course if you’re looking for activities.   Paulo says “This is a unique course designed for Beachside.  The palm trees and existing seaside furniture such as anchors etc are a part of this.  What really sells it is the stunning view, and you can play in this fantastic location.  It’s an opportunity to continue the place-making we’ve been doing over the years. Now, Sea Scrub Sauna has launched, you can enjoy sauna, cold-plunge pools, yoga sessions and a lot more from the largest beach spa in the UK.  Not only is Beachside a great place to enjoy a drink and a meal, but there’s space to play and relax too.”

On the station side of the golf you’ll find the party spot Brewing Brothers.  This is a venue that is guaranteed to fill you with good beer, pizza and slow-roasted lamb.  It’s the largest restaurant on the Harbour site.

harbourside

The Harbour Coffee Company has grown to have two floors with a stunning roof deck, and now roasts its own blends of coffee on the downstairs level.  The team have opened Sailbox next door which serves great family food every day of the week.  You’ll find the Meat Shack, for all your hot dog needs, as well as Minutas, serving Argentine street food.  Shuck It And Sea serves the best fish finger sandwiches and a wealth of other sea-related dishes. There’s live music through the summer to ease your lazy days along.

Marketplace – retail space

In previous years the Harbour has run a Sunday market.  With the success of the trader huts next to The Goods Yard for the Festive Marketplace of 2021, these have now become established as the Harbour retail space.  For artisan makers and designers, these huts will be open through the summer from March to October at weekends and holidays, and for the special Christmas market from mid-November to Christmas Eve. Paulo Kingston-Correia sets out his vision for this area:

“In the same way we have supported our food traders, we are growing to support our artisan makers and retailers.  This area will become a unique space where local businesses can take that next step in developing their business. Creative industries are a crucial part of Folkestone’s economy.  We are in a position to encourage more new entrepreneurs by creating this retail space here at the Harbour.  Not only can you exercise, eat, rest and play, but also shop too.  We’re pleased to see Aimi from inSilver move from a hut here to a permanent shop on The Old High Street, and also Ed’s Stuff, who have traded with us for two Christmas seasons.  We really wish them the best, growing into their new bricks and mortar shops.” 

Working harbour

The Harbour remains a working area with fishing and pleasure boats departing daily.  Its renovations have ensured that each fixture and fitting is both in keeping with the heritage, but also practical for day to day uses.

Please be aware, when walking with family and pets, that the edge of the quay must be available for the use of vessels docking alongside the Arm.  There are double chains, supported by stanchions, in place as per other working ports and current Health and Safety regulations.

The Harbour takes its duty of care seriously to all visitors.  It asks that all visitors also show that same duty of care to ensure all people, or pets they are responsible for, are suitably supervised when visiting the Harbour.

one of kent’s most popular visitor attractions

The renovated Harbour in Folkestone is one of the town’s main attractions. In 2014 there were 4 employed people, now the site has grown to employ over 300 and continues to provide opportunities for people with many different talents.  All year round there are stunning views of the town, White Cliffs and looking out across to France.  It’s a place to promenade, meet friends and get a perspective on Folkestone, and life in general.

Photo Credits: Andy Aitchison and William Keeler