The journey so far
The harbour was abandoned and offered no public access, or benefit to Folkestone until Sir Roger De Haan purchased it in 2004. We want to share the journey with you.
The tarmac slab has been replaced with a shingle beach. The warehouses and lorry park are a distant memory. No longer dangerous and derelict, the harbour’s heritage of the old railway station and signal box, Customs House, Harbour Arm and the lighthouse, is celebrated.
Transformed into a place that welcomes over two million visits a year, it’s home to a bustling community of entrepreneurs and is a great way to enjoy Folkestone.
The harbour works because it reconnects people with Folkestone. The shingle beach now links the harbour with the Lower Leas Coastal Park.
The improvements to Fountain Square, connected to the Swing Bridge via a staircase and lift, now make access to the harbour so much easier, making it a perfect place to visit.
Important structures and buildings of historic significance have been sensitively restored and are integral to the Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company’s vision and masterplan for 1,000 new homes and 10,000m2 of restaurants and retail shops.