I booked too early a train really for our holiday to France so I'm after a stop over on the M20 corridor. Any recommendations for location? I was thinking Maidstone or Leeds maybe.
No bikes but missis and dog who will probably appreciate a bit of exercise when we stop.
Folkestone is very wife and dog friendly. Lots of bijou arty shops and restaurants near the harbour.
probably appreciate a bit of exercise when we stop
🤔 might find some handy laybys for that kind of thing... 🤨
Leeds?!! 🤔
We normally stop in the Premier at Ashford. 10 mins to the tunnel terminal.
We use the Premier Inn at Maidstone Allington. There's a retail park not too far with Sainsbury's and petrol, and an M&S. Stopped there three or four times now. About 40 mintues to the tunnel next day
Leeds?!! 🤔
Not that one! But I believe people have made that mistake.
I've used the Premier Inn next to the Kent Life museum for work. No dogs in Premiers unfortunately, but locations look good.
Although I'm tempted by Folkstone itself.
I would go to Sandgate ahead of Folkestone, some good coffee shops, couple of excellent delis, wine bar, good pub, brewery tap room, all in about 100 yards.
Beach there too. It is also worth checking out the harbour arm and creative quarter in Folkestone but we tend to go harbour arm for breakfast, Sandgate for a drink in the evening.
I’m not sure about hotels though, Burlington has been around years and just off the Leas which is good for a dog walk and you can drop down to the beach there too. There was a boutique hotel nearby but not sure if it is still there.
Beachborough Park says it is dog friendly and a great location for tunnel. In some nice countryside with good dog walking.
If you can fit it in, stop in Sandgate, walk along the prom to Folkestone Harbour arm / back into town, then cut in at the church and back along the Upper Leas for a quieter evening meal. Job done.
Hythe is also an option if you want a quieter place. Folkestone can get proper busy.
Maidstone is OK, Ashford isn't much cop. Stopping by the M20 isn't a high point, but it serves a basic function if pushed for time.
We're going to be using the Drum inn which is 4 miles from the tunnel apparently. As recommended on a VW camper forum
The Drum is a good shout.
I may well suffer the wrath of other locals here but for one night in Folkestone you could try the Grand Burstin hotel. It's cheap, I think dog friendly, has limited on site parking and large car parks nearby. It's in a great posistion for enjoying the Folkestone harbour arm, beach walk, old high street and creative quarter.
It has had some bad press over the years about the state of some of the rooms but has had a bit of a make over recently. Still probably a bit below Travel lodge standards but for one night it might be an option.
DO NOT STAY IN THE BURSTIN………..
There will be other options on Leas that will be so much better and just as convenient.
Drum is camping only I believe.
