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Telegraph
6 days ago
- Telegraph
How faded Folkestone got its mojo back
You never feel far from the beaten path, wherever you are in Folkestone. If you are approaching from the north, you cannot miss the power lines of the High Speed 1 railway link which connects the town to London in 53 minutes. Nor can you ignore the Eurostar trains with which it shares the track, before they zip into the Channel Tunnel. And if you are down at the waterfront, you can see the docks at Dover, six miles north-east along the White Cliffs. Life is slower in the town itself – although, if you are talking about Folkestone's recent history, you might be minded to use a more disparaging description. 'Wearier', perhaps; even 'bleaker', if you are inclined to negativity. Because this outpost at the south-east corner of Kent has had its share of troubles in these first decades of the new millennium. A quiet backwater in the Middle Ages, Folkestone grew into an important port in the 19th century – while simultaneously morphing into a fashionable seaside resort. The arrival of the railway in 1843 brought crowds of Victorian (and, later, Edwardian) tourists, and over 100 years of prosperity. But the boom in travel which sparked it to life would also smother it, the advent of cheap overseas packages and the opening of the aforementioned Channel Tunnel drawing away holidaymakers and passengers. The last ferry to Boulogne departed in 2001. Folkestone Harbour station, there on the dockside, waved farewell to its final train in March 2009; a branch-line appendix deemed unnecessary in changing times. That, at least, is the general narrative, if you haven't been paying close attention. In fact, over the course of the last few years, Folkestone has undergone a remarkable resurgence. The origins of this upward curve can be traced to 2004, and the decision of Roger De Haan, the multi-millionaire former owner of travel giant Saga, to purchase the harbour for £11 million. The subsequent rejuvenation has been impressive. Gone is the dilapidated Rotunda amusement park which once hugged the tide, its footprint returned to nature (for now) as a half-mile stretch of bare shingle. But the heartbeat of the overhaul is the Harbour Arm. The 1,600ft (488m) wharf where ferries once anchored and trains used to terminate is – as of resurrection work which commenced in 2015 – a pleasure pier, alive with bars and restaurants. It is also a colossal concrete canvas for the Folkestone Triennial – the art festival, held (as its name suggests) every three years, whose latest edition (July 19 to October 19) is underway. What's it like? Pretty rapidly gentrifying – at least around the harbour. The repurposing of the disused station is especially eye-catching, the track left embedded in what is now a promenade that sweeps between the preserved platforms, all the way to the Victorian lighthouse (now a champagne bar) at the end. The original signal box is still in position at the station 'entrance', reinvented as Sip, a coffee shop, but with the points levers still in situ as decor. There are further knowing nods to the past around the corner, where the outdoor seating at beach bar The Pilot includes dodgems and waltzer cars salvaged from the Rotunda. A recurring fixture in the Folkestone calendar since 2008, the Triennial has added another bright dimension to this attractive scene; a series of thought-provoking sculptures. Some of them are unusual: French artist Laure Provoust's Above Front Tears, Oui Connect is as oblique as its title suggests; a three-headed bird, its tail hanging down as an electrical flex. Some are more open in their meaning: Sir Antony Gormley's Another Time XVIII exudes a sad beauty. A naked human in cast-iron, it stares out to sea from a loading bay underneath the main promenade. When the tide comes in, the water reaches the figure's knees – a metaphor for those days when modern life can feel overwhelming. The vision for the waterfront is most extravagant at Shoreline Folkestone, a swathe of luxury apartments, beach houses and penthouses – another De Haan project – that has risen at the west end of the old theme-park site. Two of the houses are available to rent for weekend stays. I check in to find contemporary furnishings and widescreen views of the Channel – a panorama that is somehow more dramatic when I wake to find it shrouded in dawn mist. Whether such amenities will be enough to entice the target market – one-bedroom apartments start at £395,000, while the penthouses cost from £1.6million – remains to be seen, but there can be no doubting the scale of the ambition. What's not to like? Very little, in terms of the waterfront regeneration – although I begin to wonder what some of the older residents make of the installations which have appeared in their midst. So I ask. Steve (who does not want to give his full name), walking his dog on the 1847 swing bridge across the harbour, shrugs when I point out the pastel-pink 'wendy house' – a comment on short-term holiday lets and their effects on local housing markets, crafted by the artist Richard Woods – floating among the fishing boats. 'I can't say I pay that much attention,' he says. 'It's not my cup of tea, but if people like it, I guess that's fine'. You might assume that his opinion is replicated at the Grand Burstin Hotel – an old-school seaside two-star more concerned with bingo nights and cooked breakfasts than cryptic commentary. Certainly, you can detect a tacit gap between the old-fashioned and newfangled incarnations of Folkestone; one made visible by the lower section of the 1843 viaduct. Converted to pedestrian use where it crosses the harbour, the structure is blocked by high fencing immediately beyond the water; a Victorian marvel lost to weeds. Do this You might grimace at the idea of The Old High Street – which edges up the slope from the harbour as a precipitous arc of cobbles – being subtitled 'the Creative Quarter', but there is a pleasing artiness to what was once a hard-working artery of fishmongers and butchers. There are alluring shops aplenty: the vintage clothing of Bounce; the second-hand books and coffee of Steep Street; the gallery and studio of local painter Shane Record. And if such niceties are too hip for your tastes, the real high street, Sandgate Road, offers the standard big-name stores. Take the left-hand fork at the top of The Old High Street, meanwhile, and you should stumble onto the kernel of the town: the grassy graveyard and blocky tower of the Church of Saint Mary and Saint Eanswythe. A simple apparition in grey stone, its 12th-century architecture and seventh-century patron (St Eanswythe) carry Folkestone away to the Norman and Saxon eras. Eat this Folkestone's dining scene runs the full culinary gamut. You can opt for sophisticated seafood (and a harbourside location) at Rocksalt. The refurbished Radnor Arms (named after the Victorian aristocrat whose money funded the town's initial metamorphosis into a holiday resort) deals in upmarket pub fare. There are also the traditional joys of Sandy's – a fish-and-chips favourite of award-winning reputation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rocksalt Restaurant & Bar (@rocksaltfolkestone) Don't do this Peer too closely at the cliffs. In contrast to the harbour, the sandstone ridge which separates the upper town from the waterfront has not enjoyed significant reinvigoration, and the majority of the pathways and staircases which reach up towards Leas Cliff Hall (the town's main venue) are either in slippery disrepair or closed to the public. The Leas Lift – an innovative water-powered funicular built in 1885 – has been out of use since 2017, and while restoration work is ongoing, suggestions of a 2026 reopening feel optimistic. From a local Matt James offers guided tours of the Triennial artworks, having swapped London for Folkestone in 2010. He says: 'I enjoy the sense of space living here provides, but I also think there is something here for everyone, rather than the same thing for everyone, from the broke to the billionaires.' From a visitor Vintage Vinyl is one of the busiest shops on The Old High Street. As I am browsing, a family comes in. Ellie is looking to spend her birthday money. 'She wants the new one by [mask-wearing metal band] Sleep Token,' mum explains, as her daughter combs the crates. A loud shriek ensues as the album is found. 'Are you staying the whole weekend?' the owner asks. 'Sadly not,' is the reply. 'With the festival on, we could only get a room tonight. We're off home to London tomorrow... but we'll be back.' Staying there Short stays at Shoreline Folkestone cost from £350 per night for a two-bedroom apartment, and from £800 per night for a four-bedroom Beach House.
The Irish Sun
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
The new direct train line set to connect the UK to a European city for the first time
THE Government has revealed plans for a new rail link between London and a new European country. The UK and 5 There could soon be a direct rail route between the UK and Germany Credit: Getty 5 Berlin is known for its vibrant culture and top class beer Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The new direct train would allow both Brits and Germans a flight-free way of getting to each country. For Brits, this meant they could be exploring the Brandenburg Gate, the The secretary added: "This landmark agreement – part of a new treaty the Prime Minister will sign with Chancellor Merz today - has the potential to fundamentally change how millions of people travel between our two countries, offering a faster, more convenient and significantly greener alternative to flying. "A new task force will bring our nations closer together and create new opportunities for tourism, business and cultural exchange, building on a landmark deal we signed earlier this year to explore introducing direct services to Switzerland." Read more on travel inspo The plans are also set to give the UK a big economic boost, with the creation of jobs and strengthened trade links. Alexander added: "This is central to our Plan for Change – breaking down barriers, thinking boldly about the future , and making long-term decisions that better connect Britain to the world. "Working with Germany, we're building bridges between our people and paving the way for a more sustainable, connected future." It has not been made clear where the new train service would depart from in London. Most read in News Travel Currently, This is due to St Pancras being the terminus for High Speed 1 (HS1) - the only high-speed rail line in the UK that connects to the Channel Tunnel. The Sun reviews business class travel on the Eurostar 5 Currently, Brits need to change in Brussels to get to Germany Credit: Getty Berlin is known for its vibrant culture and top class beer, which includes Prater Garten, the city's oldest beer garden having first opened in 1837. Currently, St Pancras International is the only London station that provides direct international passenger train services, including those that connect (via a change in This is because St Pancras is the final station for High Speed 1 (HS1) - the only high-speed rail line in the UK that connects to the However, Stratford International and Ebbsfleet International stations both sit on the HS1 line. In theory, both of these places could handle international services. However, the Eurostar - which is the main operator through the Channel Tunnel - has not served these stations since the Covid-19 pandemic . 5 Services to Europe run from St Pancras International in London at the moment Credit: Getty Eurostar has also announced plans to create direct trains from London to Frankfurt in Germany and Geneva in A new high-speed line known as High Speed 2 (HS2) is under construction in the UK. Whilst the line will primarily be used for travel within the UK, such as linking London to the West Midlands, there have been some discussions about a link between HS1 and HS2. If this link were to be built, it could allow for direct international services from other parts of the UK via HS2. New European rail service A NEW European train service, launching next year, will connect Prague, Berlin, and Copenhagen, marking the first direct route between Prague and Copenhagen in a decade. Operated by Czech, German, and Danish rail companies, the service will primarily run twice daily. The journey from Prague to Copenhagen will take around 11hours - a duration expected to decrease with the completion of the Fehmarn Belt Undersea Tunnel. Onboard, passengers can enjoy a dining car, a children's cinema, and improved mobile signal. The ComfortJet trains will also offer space for bikes and be wheelchair accessible. This initiative is one of 10 pilot projects supported by the European Commission to enhance cross-border rail travel. The construction of HS2 is also behind schedule and the Government confirmed in June that the completion of the line would now be delayed beyond the target date of 2033. Plus, a gamechanger 5 The service could be up and running "in just a matter of years" Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
17-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
The new direct train line set to connect the UK to a European city for the first time
Plus, the new European rail service launching next year linking two major cities TRACK ON The new direct train line set to connect the UK to a European city for the first time Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Government has revealed plans for a new rail link between London and a new European country. The UK and Germany have joined forces to create a direct rail route to Berlin. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 There could soon be a direct rail route between the UK and Germany Credit: Getty 5 Berlin is known for its vibrant culture and top class beer Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The new direct train would allow both Brits and Germans a flight-free way of getting to each country. For Brits, this meant they could be exploring the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie "in just a matter of years", according to Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander. The secretary added: "This landmark agreement – part of a new treaty the Prime Minister will sign with Chancellor Merz today - has the potential to fundamentally change how millions of people travel between our two countries, offering a faster, more convenient and significantly greener alternative to flying. "A new task force will bring our nations closer together and create new opportunities for tourism, business and cultural exchange, building on a landmark deal we signed earlier this year to explore introducing direct services to Switzerland." The plans are also set to give the UK a big economic boost, with the creation of jobs and strengthened trade links. Alexander added: "This is central to our Plan for Change – breaking down barriers, thinking boldly about the future, and making long-term decisions that better connect Britain to the world. "Working with Germany, we're building bridges between our people and paving the way for a more sustainable, connected future." It has not been made clear where the new train service would depart from in London. Currently, St Pancras International is the only London station that provides direct international passenger trains, including ones that connect to Germany - via a change in Brussels. This is due to St Pancras being the terminus for High Speed 1 (HS1) - the only high-speed rail line in the UK that connects to the Channel Tunnel. The Sun reviews business class travel on the Eurostar 5 Currently, Brits need to change in Brussels to get to Germany Credit: Getty Berlin is known for its vibrant culture and top class beer, which includes Prater Garten, the city's oldest beer garden having first opened in 1837. Currently, St Pancras International is the only London station that provides direct international passenger train services, including those that connect (via a change in Brussels) to Germany. This is because St Pancras is the final station for High Speed 1 (HS1) - the only high-speed rail line in the UK that connects to the Channel Tunnel on the UK side. However, Stratford International and Ebbsfleet International stations both sit on the HS1 line. In theory, both of these places could handle international services. However, the Eurostar - which is the main operator through the Channel Tunnel - has not served these stations since the Covid-19 pandemic. 5 Services to Europe run from St Pancras International in London at the moment Credit: Getty Eurostar has also announced plans to create direct trains from London to Frankfurt in Germany and Geneva in Switzerland in the early 2030s - which would still likely depart from St Pancras International. A new high-speed line known as High Speed 2 (HS2) is under construction in the UK. Whilst the line will primarily be used for travel within the UK, such as linking London to the West Midlands, there have been some discussions about a link between HS1 and HS2. If this link were to be built, it could allow for direct international services from other parts of the UK via HS2. New European rail service A NEW European train service, launching next year, will connect Prague, Berlin, and Copenhagen, marking the first direct route between Prague and Copenhagen in a decade. Operated by Czech, German, and Danish rail companies, the service will primarily run twice daily. The journey from Prague to Copenhagen will take around 11hours - a duration expected to decrease with the completion of the Fehmarn Belt Undersea Tunnel. Onboard, passengers can enjoy a dining car, a children's cinema, and improved mobile signal. The ComfortJet trains will also offer space for bikes and be wheelchair accessible. This initiative is one of 10 pilot projects supported by the European Commission to enhance cross-border rail travel. The construction of HS2 is also behind schedule and the Government confirmed in June that the completion of the line would now be delayed beyond the target date of 2033. Plus, a gamechanger new budget train line is to launch from London next year.
South Wales Guardian
05-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Channel Tunnel train services to be increased
It said it will allocate spare capacity at Eurostar's Temple Mills maintenance depot in north-east London to either one new operator or Eurostar itself, which has plans to grow. Eurostar holds a monopoly in running passenger services through the Channel Tunnel. Other organisations developing proposals to launch rival services include billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, Italy's state-owned railway company FS Italiane Group, and Gemini Trains, which is chaired by Labour peer Lord Berkeley. Access to space at Temple Mills for maintaining and storing trains is a critical requirement for new operators or Eurostar to boost services. It is the only UK site able to support trains that can be used in the Channel Tunnel and on tracks in continental Europe. From London St Pancras, Eurostar serves Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, as well as running seasonal ski trains to the French Alps. Getlink – the French owner of the Channel Tunnel – believes there is the potential for services between London and locations such as Bordeaux, Cologne, Frankfurt, Geneva, Marseille and Zurich. The ORR's deputy director for access and international, Martin Jones, said: 'The growing appetite to provide international rail services is great news for passengers. 'We now need operators to set out more detail on their proposals at pace, and will work quickly and as thoroughly as possible to determine the best use of capacity at Temple Mills.' We've written this morning to Eurostar and applicants seeking to run cross-channel train services to set out next steps for access to Temple Mills International depot. Access to depot capacity is crucial for providing more international services ⬇ — ORR (@railandroad) June 5, 2025 The ORR said it will consider several factors, such as how proposed new services will impact performance, the financial and operational 'readiness' of operators, and the 'economic and societal benefits'. It expects to reach a conclusion later this year. Initial findings from an independent assessment of Temple Mills commissioned by the regulator were published in March. The review found there is some capacity available for more trains without any changes to current practices, and more capacity could be created through further investment. The ORR said it has reviewed evidence submitted in response to this by stakeholders such as Eurostar, and concluded the assessment is 'an accurate reflection' and 'suggests there is room for at most one new operator, or for Eurostar to grow'. The regulator said it will be 'some time' until services from a new operator would be able to start even after access to Temple Mills is secured. That is because they would need to receive regulatory approval in France, access to the High Speed 1 line between London and the Channel Tunnel, and procure trains. A spokesperson for Eurostar said: 'We welcome the ORR's call for more information on future plans, and continue to encourage private investment in new depot facilities beyond Temple Mills, of which there are many options. 'Eurostar is already investing in the future with a new fleet of up to 50 trains, enhancing facilities at Temple Mills, and partnership work to expand capacity at stations, including London St Pancras International. 'It's clear a strategic, joined-up approach is needed to unlock the full potential of international rail for passengers and the UK economy.'
North Wales Chronicle
05-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Channel Tunnel train services to be increased
It said it will allocate spare capacity at Eurostar's Temple Mills maintenance depot in north-east London to either one new operator or Eurostar itself, which has plans to grow. Eurostar holds a monopoly in running passenger services through the Channel Tunnel. Other organisations developing proposals to launch rival services include billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, Italy's state-owned railway company FS Italiane Group, and Gemini Trains, which is chaired by Labour peer Lord Berkeley. Access to space at Temple Mills for maintaining and storing trains is a critical requirement for new operators or Eurostar to boost services. It is the only UK site able to support trains that can be used in the Channel Tunnel and on tracks in continental Europe. From London St Pancras, Eurostar serves Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, as well as running seasonal ski trains to the French Alps. Getlink – the French owner of the Channel Tunnel – believes there is the potential for services between London and locations such as Bordeaux, Cologne, Frankfurt, Geneva, Marseille and Zurich. The ORR's deputy director for access and international, Martin Jones, said: 'The growing appetite to provide international rail services is great news for passengers. 'We now need operators to set out more detail on their proposals at pace, and will work quickly and as thoroughly as possible to determine the best use of capacity at Temple Mills.' We've written this morning to Eurostar and applicants seeking to run cross-channel train services to set out next steps for access to Temple Mills International depot. Access to depot capacity is crucial for providing more international services ⬇ — ORR (@railandroad) June 5, 2025 The ORR said it will consider several factors, such as how proposed new services will impact performance, the financial and operational 'readiness' of operators, and the 'economic and societal benefits'. It expects to reach a conclusion later this year. Initial findings from an independent assessment of Temple Mills commissioned by the regulator were published in March. The review found there is some capacity available for more trains without any changes to current practices, and more capacity could be created through further investment. The ORR said it has reviewed evidence submitted in response to this by stakeholders such as Eurostar, and concluded the assessment is 'an accurate reflection' and 'suggests there is room for at most one new operator, or for Eurostar to grow'. The regulator said it will be 'some time' until services from a new operator would be able to start even after access to Temple Mills is secured. That is because they would need to receive regulatory approval in France, access to the High Speed 1 line between London and the Channel Tunnel, and procure trains. A spokesperson for Eurostar said: 'We welcome the ORR's call for more information on future plans, and continue to encourage private investment in new depot facilities beyond Temple Mills, of which there are many options. 'Eurostar is already investing in the future with a new fleet of up to 50 trains, enhancing facilities at Temple Mills, and partnership work to expand capacity at stations, including London St Pancras International. 'It's clear a strategic, joined-up approach is needed to unlock the full potential of international rail for passengers and the UK economy.'
