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1913

2003

Folkestone harbour used to be a very busy place, and was the source of income for many Folkestonians.  Not just the fishing, but also the ferry service to and from the Continent, bringing passengers, goods and the Royal mail. The collier boats would also bring coal from the North, and you used to be able to see them all moored in a row right in front of the old Pavilion Hotel. Passengers could step off the ferry, and get right onto a train which would take them to London.  You can see the rail line in both of these photos.  The picture on the left shows the swing bridge, which was in constant use in the days of the tall masted ships, but I don't think it is ever used nowadays.

1903

1923

The next four photos  were taken by Ernest F. Newble, father of Alan Newble.  Ernest was a life long friend of the railways and took many photographs of trains in and  around Folkestone.  You can find more of his photos here: http://www.newble.co.uk/rpics/dadspics.html The first one is an R1 loco which has just crossed over the swing bridge in 1932.

Another of Ernest's showing the boat train at around the same place in 1929.

The photo on the left, shows the new swing bridge beside the old. The one on the right shows the first train going over the new swing bridge in 1930

Fishing off the East Head.  That lady had the right idea - don't be a fisherman's widow - go with him!

This one was entitled 'Old Folkestone', which is what I have seen referring to the cluster of buildings grouped around the harbour.  So I guess Folkestone started here, and moved out

According to Alan Taylor, this picture is of the official opening of the pier promenade which took place in 1904, that is the reason for the bunting and marquee which is covering the lighthouse on the end of the pier. This actual card was posted in 1910, so I guess they were still proud of it 5 years later!

I think this must be the oldest photo I have ever seen of Folkestone harbour.  It was listed as 19th century. As you can see, it doesn't look as if anything had been developed on this side of the East Head, where the sands now are.

I don't know the year this was taken, but doesn't it look old?  It shows both a steam ship and a lovely sailing ship.

Did you know that Folkestone does have a lighthouse though?  It is still there, but not very big or impressive is it?  However, it is a lighthouse nonetheless!  I didn't even notice it when I lived there! Look at the lady on the right in her long layered dress and pretty hat.  Any time I have been out on the pier, the wind has nearly blown me over, but she doesn't seem to be suffering from that at all does she? Word has it that this lighthouse is under threat from the proposed new development, so maybe you should go take a look at it while you still have the chance!

This card was advertised as Folkestone Harbour circa 60's.  However, doesn't that look like a woman in a long dress down there in that boat?  I think it is quite a bit earlier than that.

This picture is of two cargo ships moored on the South quay in the outer harbour. It is a tinted photo, and I think the tinter got a little heavy handed with the yellow, don't you? You can just make out the lighthouse in the distance that is no longer there, see below..

Another picture of the lighthouse.  I am not sure if it was before or after it was painted white. See the fellow there with the age old past time of fishing off the pier?

This 1905 card was entitled 'Harbour Pier with new extension, which I was a little confused about.  But as usual, Alan Taylor came to my rescue.  Here is what he said about it: "The harbour pier as we know it today was built between 1897 & 1905.  This building work was known as the 'Pier Extension'.  The packet boats originally moored up at the south quay in the outer harbour, but due to the fact that the harbour was tidal they couldn't have a set timetable.  So in 1860 a wooden structure called the low water landing or sometimes promenade pier was built out to sea ina south, easterly direction to the knuckle in the present pier.  The pier extension was built out from the low water landing with concrete blocks made on site and faced with granite.  When the extension was completed the block wall was extended back inland behind the wooden low water landing thus completing the pier as we know it today."

Here is a boatload of people sailing past the East Head into the harbour.  You can see the spire of St. Peter's church up on The Durlocks.

This harbour view was also taken in 1905

If you think Folkestone lighthouse looks pretty pathetic these days, take a look at the one they had in 1912! It was located on the end of the South Quay at the entrance to the outer harbour (not the pier) it was demolished in 1941 to build a gun emplacement.

An old picture of the harbour, with the Pavilion Hotel behind.  No longer there - now we have the  Burstin.  Some say that is an improvement, but I am not one of them!

The branch line to the harbour was built in 1844 and used to take coal from the colliers up to the coking ovens by the Junction Station.  The first swing bridge, which swung to allow the ships in and out of the inner harbour, was built of timber in 1847 it opened the harbour for passenger traffic which started in 1849.  The harbour station was completed in 1850.  A new wooden swing bridge was built in 1893.  This bridge was replaced by the present steel swing bridge installed in 1930.  Today, the bridge does not swing.

Now does this sound like something I would have known?  No, Alan Taylor told me!

Bottom left shows the swing bridge.

Here is a nice picture of the inner harbour, with the Pavilion Hotel in the background.  You can see a launching slope on the right, but you would need the tide to be in a bit more than this to be able to do it!

A view of the harbour from a different angle.  This time the Pavilion Hotel is on the left, you can just make out the clock tower which was part of it.

A birds eye view of  the harbour, (where someone has become handy with a paint brush again!), we see a couple of fishing boats heading back home, and a cross channel ferry berthed in the background. You can also see the other docking pier that used to be in the outer harbour.  It seems to me that the smaller paddle steamers would berth there.  It's not there now.

Oh look at the detail here, we have to leave it large. Dated 1911, you can see a train on the swing bridge.  I guess with those tall sailing ships, that bridge was in constant use.  I believe Folkestone harbour still has a swing bridge, but it is never opened these days.

Still at the harbour.  The sea suddenly whipped up - as it is prone to do!

I guess this picture answers my question about which colour the lighthouse was first.  Because this is entitled Folkestone Lighthouse, New Pier, and the lighthouse looks white.  It was postally used in 1905.

This is how the harbour looked in 1908, with the London & Paris Hotel down there on the left, and the Pavilion Hotel on the right.  Right in the centre you can see the boat train chugging away.  If I am not mistaken, you can just make out one of the collier ships moored just behind the Pavilion.

This is very similar to the picture above right, but you can see a a larger sailing ship (collier boat?) moored in the inner harbour. The area is also busier with people.  See the horse and carriage outside the London & Paris Hotel?

Same view again, but this time it was taken in 1903

You probably saw a similar one to this picture on the ferry page.

The modern photo of the harbour and East Cliff on the right was taken by Stan Cascino of Folkestone.  (You can find Stan's website on my links page). Not many boats these days are there?  If he had taken the photo in the other direction, the ferries would have been conspicuous by their absence too! Just look at those beautiful white cliffs of Dover!  Actually, right there is the white cliffs of The Warren, but they didn't write a song about that!

This photo was entitled 'East Landing', so I guess that is what this pier is called.

Here we have the entrance to the harbour on a day I would certainly not have enjoyed being in that boat! Remember the hymn that included the line "Oh hear us when we cry to thee, for those in peril on the sea"?  It sprang to mind when I looked at this picture.

The year was 1903, and that the railway company's repair jetty was in place.  I wonder what that ship in the foreground was used for?  It doesn't look the type to cross the channel, maybe it just went around the coast.

This photo dates from the 1890's.  The  harbour looked pretty empty then too didn't it?  Maybe they were all out fishing.

People on the pier watching the boats come and go.  I wonder what those tall posts were with the circles on top?  Anybody know? This picture dates from around 1906

Showing the other side in 1912, these were moored opposite what is now the Burstin Hotel.

This one was posted in 1916, and there is the strangest thing.  In the background you can see a large poster that I can make out the word 'Quaker' on it.  Was it an ad for Quaker Oats?  Were they around in 1916?  The billboard must have been absolutely huge!  Also, isn't that a strange place to sail a toy yacht? Alan confirmed that this was indeed a Quaker Oats billboard, I had no idea they had been around that long!

This is a little later, 1938 to be precise

And later still, here we are in 1952.  These boats look more like pleasure boats don't they?

On a bit more to 1965, yes, this end of the harbour is definitely becoming more for the pleasure boaters

An aerial view dating from 1955

Now this is interesting, this one dates from 1919, and was taken at night.  Many of the buildings look to be the same as in the photo above, quite apart from the Pavilion Hotel!

Another very old photo showing the East Head, and absolutely nothing this side of it except a pile of rocks.  No East Cliff Sands, no prom - nothing!

In contrast, here is a modern one sent to me by Chris Keller.  You can see the Burstin in the background. Thanks Chris!

Another one showing the swing bridge and the collier boats lined up.  Just look at the height of those things!  You can see why a swing bridge was very necessary can't you? The clock tower with the weather vane on top was attached to the Pavilion Hotel.

This picture shows how they would take the goods on and off the ferries.  They had the help of a few cranes for the job, that would swing around and load them on or off the goods trains.

This looks very black & white, but it still dates from 1906, where you can see two of the smaller steam boats anchored alongside the railway company's jetty.

A nice view with a turbine steamer chugging off into the distance.

A busy day at the harbour, one ferry heading out, another loading, yet another passing down the English Channel, and a smaller steamer docked inside the inner harbour.  The only people not busy are the two sitting on the lower right of the picture.  Are they sitting outside a pub I wonder?

This 1920 view of the harbour was taken from St. Peter's Church up on the Durlocks. You can see that the tide is almost out.  Can I show my ignorance and ask what keeps a large boat like the one in the foreground from tipping over when the tide goes out?  Is it purely the ropes which tie it to the dock?

Again, this shows the harbour before the East Cliff Sands, and this time it was dated 1910.  Not as old as I expected it to be.

I have this one enlarged on the wall of my office.  We have a good view of the London & Paris Hotel, as well as the side of the Royal Pavilion

I don't know the date of this, but am curious to know what that row of white hut things are that you see lower centre.  Anybody have a clue?

This dates from 1911. As you can see, the public were allowed to stroll along the pier to watch the comings and goings of the ferries.

Here we have two modern photographs sent to me by Colin Ballard.  You can see a couple of men in the process of launching their pleasure craft.

The water looks almost clean enough to swim in doesn't it?  Don't be fooled!

Thanks Colin, they are beautiful photos!

My wish has been granted, here is one of those boats in full sail.  However, it looks kind of strange doesn't it?  As if that sail doesn't belong to anything in the photograph.

The inner harbour again, showing the swing bridge in 1913.

Oh isn't this a lovely photograph?  This couple had probably just left the Royal Pavilion Hotel and were heading where?  Out for dinner somewhere?  Doesn't the lady look lovely, and both gentlemen look very smart don't they?  Even the little girl looking into the harbour looks well dressed.

The time is 1859, the place is Folkestone Harbour and you are looking at the new Custom House and Railway station.  In front of the building is a nice paddle steamer.

As you can see, this was called The New Harbour Pier.  But as it was posted in 1906, it was only new then!

Fashion time again! These people are strolling (and sitting) on the Promenade Railway pier.

Bringing things up into the 60's, these people are walking along The Stade away from the East Cliff Sands.  As you can see, the tide was completely out then too. I hate to admit it, but I remember those fashions.  That woman with the dog probably has layers and layers of net petticoats underneath her dress that are scratching her stockings to shreds! (And I mean stockings, not pantyhose!)

Back to 1905 showing how rough the sea can get at times.  I wonder if those people above were getting splashed?

They described this as the Old Harbour then - and that was in 1919 - so I guess that makes it absolutely ancient now! Interesting to note the large advertisement up on the cliff for Worthington Ales! Can you see the St. Andrews Nursing Home up on the Durlocks too?

I bought this multiview postcard purely to get this shot of the harbour, because I had never seen one taken from this angle before.  It was obviously taken from the Pavilion Hotel, and gives you an idea of the going concern that was Folkestone Harbour in those days.  I don't have a date for it, but judging by the car centre right, I would guess it to be late 20's early 30's.

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What was the boat being towed behind for?  Maybe it was in case someone fell overboard, they certainly couldn't have used it as a lifeboat if the first one sank, it wasn't big enough for that many people!

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Irene Saunders came to my rescue once again by telling me that the 'white hut things were in fact the dormer  bedroom windows in the roof of what used to be the Jubilee public house. Thanks Irene!

Dave Tooley sent me this photo, along with many others that he took a little earlier than my trip.  Both he and his father were born and raised in Folkestone, but I believe they are both now living in Portsmouth. Anyway, this is what he said about this one: "My Father saw this photo the other day, and couldn't believe it. By all accounts, HE built this shed in 1944 from old floorboards windows and doors he'd scrounged from bombed out buildings. He couldn't believe it was still there since he'd never had permission to erect it, but he needed somewhere to keep his fishing tackle and nets for the boat he had moored by the harbour wall so he just did it anyway.  He was 16 then".

If you look at Dave's photos, you will see a house at the bottom of the first page.  This is where both he and his father grew up - and would you believe, living right next door to that house today is my sister - you can see a bit of her house in the photo!

Alan Taylor answered this question: "The boat being towed behind was used to ferry passengers on to the pleasure craft when they were operating from the beach. I expect they had loaded these passengers on at the beach but as the tide is now in they are unloading in the harbour. The vessel is either the 'Girtie' or the 'Masie' they were the two sailing pleasure boats that operated from Folkestone"

But to be fair, I have heard from several people who have stayed there, and say it is a lovely hotel, and I am sure it is.  However, my taste in buildings leans towards the older ones with more character. It does have one thing in common with the Royal Pavilion though, it has one of the best views in Folkestone!

Alan adds to this:  "This jetty is the railway company's repair jetty, out of view are the marine workshops which closed in 1922 and moved to Dover.

This interesting photo was sent to me by Peter Armand of Reading.  He said it was found in his son's house when he moved in, and has 'Folkestone Pier' written on the back.  I wondered if it was the building of the Victoria Pier, and sent it to Alan Taylor for his opinion, and here is what he said: The photograph is of the staging which was erected to build the harbour pier, travelling cranes then ran along the stages on railway lines to lower the diving bells and concrete blocks into position. It dates between 1897 - 1900. I have fifty photographs of the pier being built which are copies from an album of originals owned by Captain Bullard whom I worked with on the ferries. His father was premier master when the harbour was being built & he inherited. I expect the photographs were taken by the contractors Messrs. William Rigby & Co. and presented to the  South Eastern & Chatham Railway on completion.

The card on the right is dated 1906 and shows a paddle steamer in dock for service (I think). The card was published by Roberts of George Lane, Folkestone.

I was wrong again, Alan said it was exactly the type to cross the channel, and would take cargo to and from Boulogne.

I have heard from a few people about this.  They were railway signals.

Here we have a double header on the swing bridge.

A nice tranquil photo of fishermen bringing home their catch past the old lighthouse.  The boat is 31 FE for those interested. As you can see, at that point, Folkestone had two lighthouses.

As indeed they were.  According to Alan, the two boats in the foreground were pleasure boats that took people out for trips.  Their names are 'Southern Prince' and 'Scarlet O'hara'

Folkestone Harbour in the 1930's

From a different angle in the 1920's

Even in 1932, they were still calling this area Folkestone's Old Town judging by the size of the jib (right word?), I would say that was a pretty large ship that everyone was looking at wouldn't you?

This is how it all looked in 1910

The inner harbour again dating this time from 1911.  The Shagri La towers over everything else doesn't it?  Still there, and now a block of flats.  In the distance, you can see the viaduct.

On the right is a closeup view of The Stade in 1906  All those houses are now gone I believe.  It looks as if they had stalls set up along there in those days too.  I wonder if they sold whelks and jellied eels like they do today?

Now, perhaps you would like to join me on a little trip I took around the harbour area in May, 2006

the swing bridge

not a ferry, but at least it is being used for something!

That is amazing Dave, thank you so much for sharing it with us.  Does anyone out there know what the shed is being used for now? If you would like to see more of Dave's photos of Folkestone now, check out his website at: http://www.davesplace.co.uk/Folkestone_web/page_01.htm

I had this story in mind when I made my jaunt down to the harbour, and the next two photos are especially for Dave's Dad!

It was padlocked up tight, so I couldn't see what it was being used for these days.

If you have your own memories of Folkestone, be sure to share them with us by jotting them down in the book below.

Folkestone Memories

This page updated August 17, 2006