Dover/Folkstone Accomodation

siamese0109

Hi I'm looking for somewhere to stay for one night on the way to Belgium via Dover. We made the big mistake once of staying in Dover itself and won't ever do it again :(BUT we're driving down from Leeds and don't know the area at all so struggling as to where would be half decent. We would like somewhere where there are a few pubs within walking distance and somewhere to get a meal so a small town or village would be perfect. Also need to be within about 30 mins of Dover max as we intend getting a fairly early ferry. Don't want to spend a fortune either so cheap and cheerful is the order of the day! Any suggestions gratefully accepted!

beks

Deal (20 mins max) from Dover is quite nice (if you like quaint). Village of St Margarets at Cliffe is ok (between Deal and Dover - 10 mins from port), there is a hotel there (the Royal Oak, I think although no idea of price), I am afraid and 2 pubs. Definitely would not recommend staying in Dover. IMO Folkestone a little rough too .
Canterbury is about half hour away with some decent pubs and hotels, depends what you want really.
Will have a think about cheep and cheerful hotels nearby etc. HTH .

ETA On thinking about it, Deal is out the otherside of Dover so will add miles onto your journey (not what you want coming from Leeds). Depends which way you go where to stay - if going down M20, it would be better to stay in the Folkestone area, if A2 - it would be better to stay in/near Canterbury.

siamese0109

Thanks Beks - tend to make decision on the day about the route having been diverted on numerous occasions! Anywhere within 20 miles or so will be fine.......we don't have to be anywhere by a certain time so can be flexible. I was wondering about Ashford as well as I remember passing that on the way down - haven't a clue what it's like though!

creased-leach

I wouldn't do Ashford if you thought Dover was rough...

Deal is a good suggestion- although there is the issue with it being the "wrong" side. Then there's Sandwich- home of, you've guessed it- the Sandwich!

Just been looking at the map- and I think Hythe is your best bet. Tranquil small town, several pubs and places to stay- and then a really easy drive straight down the seafront to the docks.

If you go for St Margarets, there are several pubs- but make sure you go right down to the beach to The Coastguard whilst you're there.

Deals_2

several occasions and i am starting to know the area quite well. i find if you like little village with nice pebble beach (quite upmarket - David LLoyd has a small house on the beach there too) then i would recommend St Margarets.
we've eaten in a couple of pubs there. there is one pub on the actual beach - i dont think it was the coastguard one (we found them too pricey for what it was) but if you carry on from there you have another beach with houses on the beach too where there is a quaint pub facing the beach. there's also a tea room in someone's old victorian house (though they did not have much choice of cakes when we were there) but nice for a cup of tea.
hythe which the other way is busier and located the other side and i think it is further from dover port too. there's a hotel/resort i stayed in which may be part of something like parkdean holiday centre or something like that. i cannot remember if they had caravans as i stayed in the hotel and i did not really look around but they had a health centre and i went swimming. at the time it was £37 for a twin room (though i was on my own at the time). i really enjoyed it and would recommend it.
we also stayed in a posher hotel - also think they had a leisure centre but think we may have arrived too late for it but the room was nice and cosy but it may have been nearer £70 or so at the time. might be worth looking into https://www.tripadvisor.com
though hythe is nice i dont find it as relaxing and quaint as st margarets where you can walk on the beach etc. i think you will find Deals a bit too far for Dover which is what i found. would recommend the above though.

siamese0109 wrote: »

Hi I'm looking for somewhere to stay for one night on the way to Belgium via Dover. We made the big mistake once of staying in Dover itself and won't ever do it again :(BUT we're driving down from Leeds and don't know the area at all so struggling as to where would be half decent. We would like somewhere where there are a few pubs within walking distance and somewhere to get a meal so a small town or village would be perfect. Also need to be within about 30 mins of Dover max as we intend getting a fairly early ferry. Don't want to spend a fortune either so cheap and cheerful is the order of the day! Any suggestions gratefully accepted!

purcel

Have a look at booking.com , as far as I know there are a few hotels in Folkestone, some just cheap and some better(Best Western).

Pooky

Can I suggest this place.

In the small village of Capel-le-Ferne - there's a couple of pubs and a weekly farmers market (on a Tuesday), there's a war memorial close by too which is worth a visit - The pub/hotel itself is on the cliffs - gorgeous views, a pretty little cafe set into the cliffs is a couple of minutes walk away. There's plenty of parking onsite and the food is fab.

I lived in the village for several years so am biased but it's very easy to get to from the M20/A20 and you're only 10 minutes drive from Dover docks.

siamese0109

Mmmm I stumbled on this one via Google - looks lovely but a bit remote! Is there anything else in walking distance of it?

Pooky

It is a bit remote so aside from the walk along the cliffs and the war memorial there's not a great deal - 2 minute drive down the hill and you're in Folkestone with the fish market/harbour or the town centre.

Suppose it depends how much you want to do if it's only a one day visit.

bellajack

There is a lovely hotel in Folkestone (Hotel Relish) which is in a nice quiet street a couple of minutes from the Leas and walking distance from town of Folkestone. In town there is a nice pub with good meals (Chambers) - easy to find, great tapas bar (Tim's) opposite Argos, and various Chinese and Indian eateries. A few miniutes drive (or 10 minutes walk) brings you to Sandgate which has many great places to eat and drink.

beks

mmmm - I agree, Sandgate is quite nice! Some quite lively pubs there too considering that it is a small town.

I would agree Capel is quite remote - often foggy too (not that that makes a difference), you do have to drive to get anywhere there, not really appropriate for walking as you would have to go back up a big hill! Nice place though, great views over the channel and they have a lovely cafe on the cliff edge.

Can't find any accomodation for less than £65 (b+b) in St Margarets (a little more at white cliffs hotel, both in village centre). There are one or two choices of places to eat and 3 pubs (all nice but a little 'local'). I am trying to be unbiased about the village !

If looking for cheaper, chain hotels then i would go for larger towns of either folkestone or Ashford (about 30-40mins from port). Near the Leas is ok (as recommended above) but some parts of Folkestone and Ashford are the same as Dover (or worse).