Folkestone’s waterfront is the jewel in its crown (well, this guide likes to think so). For centuries, it was a relatively modest fishing village, with a penchant for smuggling too, but in the mid nineteenth century the railways brought prosperity and the opening of the lucrative and highly popular cross-channel ferry industry.
Now fishing is undertaken on a much smaller scale, with only nine trawlers regularly operating from the quaint harbour. And the trains no longer trundle across the bridge into the harbour station, offloading holidaymakers tocatch the ferries to Boulogne-sur-Mer, Ostend and beyond. But the resort is on the rise again, not least around the harbour and seafront. The harbour station has been sensitively and beautifully renovated, and the viaduct leading into it opened for promenading and access, which has been extended along the beach to the Leas Lift.
The long derelict Harbour Arm has too been restored, and provides a varied range of services, including dining options both along the pier and on the beachfront, and entertainment, including the large screen showing major sporting events and family films. Even the lighthouse at the end of the pier contains a champagne bar recently hailed the best drinking establishment in the county.
The tour, which lasts upwards of three hours, focuses on the fascinating history of the area, which is also adorned with artworks from the five Triennials dating back to 2008. It finishes with reflection on the history of the seafront, and consideration of the ambitious redevelopment which is replacing the facilities which once stood there.
To make a booking go to the Tour Booking page.