Originally the railway terminal for the Folkestone-Boulogne Ferry and departure point for soldiers on their way to the Western Front, The Harbour Arm still embraces the town’s working fishing harbour, becoming a pivotal point in the town’s future and its historical past.
Since opening in 2015, Folkestone Harbour Arm has cemented itself as a major destination on the Kent coast. Reaching into the English Channel, offering views of the White Cliffs and glimpses of France, the Harbour Arm is a unique cultural attraction; a place to meet friends, see live music and sample the goods from nearly 30 independent food and drink vendors.
The respectfully renovated architecture of Folkestone Harbour Arm provides a unique backdrop for a day out in East Kent. Radiating from the Harbour Arm are splendid walkways in all directions. Take the boardwalk across the beach, the viaduct towards the Old Town or through the beautifully restored Harbour Station. Look out for Folkestone’s myriad of public artworks – and enjoy a truly unique reimagining of the classic British seaside experience.
“Folkestone Harbour Arm has quickly become celebrated as a food, drink and entertainment destination...”
Small, independent businesses along the Arm give it its unique flavour, and its reputation is growing as restoration continues along the platform and across the railway bridge and beyond, with the addition of the Goods Yard in 2020 and Beachside in 2021 as two new, stand-alone areas with very unique offers.
Folkestone’s Harbour Arm has swiftly become the beacon for the regeneration of Folkestone as a destination town.
“There’s a weekly market selling beautiful vintage and handmade items and even an outdoor cinema with a diverse summer programme of film and sports.”
Along the Arm, there are huts serving street food: ribs, gourmet hot-dogs, Dutch pancakes, home-made burgers, Polenta encrusted fish, and so much more, all with a choice of beers and soft drinks. In the covered area along the platform small, inside units offer a range of delicious food; New York style pizzas and Indian street food. English wines and craft beers are served inside, alongside real ales. There’s even one unit entirely dedicated to serving up a fine selection of cocktails crafted with local produce.
Much of the food on the Harbour Arm is locally sourced: fish from the trawlers in the adjoining harbour, bread and beer from our own on-site bakery and brewery and meat and vegetables from farmers and smallholders in surrounding Kent – The Garden of England. The Harbour Arm also supports small, local breweries and the growing number of quality wines produced in Kent. Folkestone Harbour Arm has quickly become celebrated as a food, drink and event destination. Discover us via the beautifully restored Folkestone Harbour Station and Viaduct across the Inner Harbour, which offers a beautiful new route from the old town through to the Lighthouse.
FAQS
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The Harbour Arm is open for promenading everyday, dawn - dusk.
For daytime trading, most outlets are now open 12 - 5 Saturday & Sunday. Traders in the Goods Yard and on Platform 4 are open Friday evenings and a selection of food and drink businesses are open through the week. Head to our outlets page for a breakdown of who is open when.
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Yes, there is a large carpark on site. Find out more about tariffs and online pay-as-you-go here.
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We will occasionally do callouts for new traders when a new opportunity or space becomes available.
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