- Folkestone Harbour Arm is in Kent, England.
- Former pier, now promenade/dining
- Check access, weather and local guidance before travelling.
About Folkestone Harbour Arm
The Folkestone Harbour Arm is a former pier and railway viaduct reborn as a contemporary promenade lined with food, drink and art installations. It blends Victorian railway heritage with the Folkestone Triennial art programme.
The story of Folkestone Harbour Arm
The Harbour Arm was built in 1864 as a railway viaduct and pier by the South Eastern Railway to connect Folkestone Harbour with the continental boat trains, carrying passengers to and from ferries to Boulogne. It was designed by engineers including Sir William Cubitt's firm and was a key departure point for passengers heading to the Western Front in the First World War. The last train ran on the branch in 2001 and the structure fell into disuse until it was restored and reopened as a public promenade in 2015 by the Folkestone Harbour Company, with the railway tracks repurposed as a walkway and the pier head turned into a dining and events space.
Visiting with care
Open year-round, the Harbour Arm is a foodie destination with pop-up bars, restaurants and street food along the old railway viaduct, plus art installations from the Folkestone Triennial. It is especially lively on summer evenings and during the Folkestone Book Festival.
Interesting facts
- Built in 1864 as a railway viaduct by the South Eastern Railway.
- A departure point for soldiers heading to the Western Front in the First World War.
- The last train ran in 2001 before the arm was restored as a promenade.
- Reopened in 2015 with food, drink and Triennial art installations.
Getting there
Parking and access details — check locally for the latest information.