Motorway Services Online

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Folkestone: Difference between revisions

moving hotels up
m ChannelPorts is one word
 
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{{Services
{{Services
|type = motorway
|type = motorway
|image = Folkestone 2021.jpg
|image = Folkestone 2025.jpg
|operator = Stop 24
|operator = ChannelPorts
|operator2 = Roadchef
|road = [[M20]] at J11{{newline}}(also accessible to traffic on the A20 and the B2068)
|road = [[M20]] at J11{{newline}}(also accessible to traffic on the A20 and the B2068)
|postcode = CT21 4BL
|postcode = CT21 4BL
|signposted = Yes
|signposted = Yes
|stype = Single site located at a junction.
|stype = Single site located at a junction
|rating = Folkestone
|rating = Folkestone
|coords = 51.094911, 1.044466
|coords = 51.094911, 1.044466
|briefroad = M20 at J11
|briefroad = M20 at J11
|gallery = Stop 24
|markerpost = 102 }}
|markerpost = 102 }}


Line 16: Line 16:


==Facilities==
==Facilities==
{{facilities| Restaurants | {{Chopstix Noodle Bar}}, Don Air Pizza & Kebabs, {{KFC}}, {{Subway}}, The Café, The Treats, Tchibo }}
{{facilities| Catering | The Breakfast Club, Curried Away, Don Air Pizza & Kebabs, {{KFC}}, Noodle Stop, {{Subway}}, {{Costa Express}}, {{Krispy Kreme}}, {{Costa Coffee|drivethru=yes}}, {{McDonald's|drivethru=yes}} }}
{{facilities| Shops | Hythe Convenience Store, {{WHSmith}} }}
{{facilities| Shops | {{WHSmith}} }}
{{facilities| Amenities | {{website|Channel Ports (Customs Clearance)|https://www.channelports.co.uk/}}, Coach Interchange, Ferry Timetables, Free Cash Machines, {{website|Harbour Shipping (Bureau de Change)|http://www.harbourshipping.co.uk/}}, [[Quicksilver]], [[Revolution Self Service Launderette]], Showers, none }}
{{facilities| Amenities | ChannelPorts Inland Border Facility,  {{Changing Places}}, Coach Interchange, Ferry Timetables, Free Cash Machines, Harbour Shipping (Bureau de Change), {{Jackpot £500}}, {{Revolution Laundry}}, Showers }}
{{facilities | Charging Points | GRIDSERVE Electric Highway 50kW CCS, CHAdeMO & 22kW Type 2; IONITY 350kW CCS }}
{{facilities| Outdoor Space | Picnic tables at front and side of building; grass verges only; public footpath connections }}
{{facilities| Forecourt | {{Shell}}, [[Select]], {{deli by Shell}}, {{Costa Express}}, Air1 AdBlue, Free Cash Machine }}
{{facilities| Charging Points | GRIDSERVE Electric Highway 50kW CCS, 50kW CHAdeMO & 22kW Type 2; IONITY 350kW CCS }}
{{facilities| Forecourt | {{Shell}}, {{Select}}, {{deli by Shell}}, {{Costa Express}}, Free Cash Machine }}


==Parking Prices==
==Parking Prices==
First 2 hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £9, caravans and motorhomes must pay £20 and HGVs must pay £23 which includes a £5 food voucher.
First 2 hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £10, caravans and motorhomes must pay £20, and HGVs must pay £29 which includes a £6 food voucher.


Prices are paid using the self service pay points located throughout the amenity building.
Prices are paid using the self-service pay points located throughout the amenity building.


The fees are strictly enforced by Stop 24 and are monitored by ANPR cameras.
The fees are strictly enforced by ChannelPorts and are monitored by ANPR cameras.


This information is provided to us by third parties. You should always check with staff on site.
{{Parking Disclaimer}}


==Contact Details==
==Contact Details==
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Kent{{newline}}
Kent{{newline}}
CT21 4BL
CT21 4BL
|telephone = 01303 268 671
|telephone = 01303 268671
|gridref = TR132372
|websites =  
|websites =  
* [https://www.stop24.co.uk/ Amenity building operated by Stop24]
* [https://folkestoneservices.com Official ChannelPorts/Folkestone website]
* [https://find.shell.com/gb/fuel/10367538-shell-channel-gateway/ Forecourt operated by Shell]
* [https://www.roadchef.com/motorway-services/folkestone Costa Coffee Drive Thru, Jackpot £500, McDonald's Drive Thru and WHSmith operated by Roadchef]
* [https://find.shell.com/gb/fuel/10367538/ Forecourt operated by Shell]
|3words = puff.pigment.salary
|3words = puff.pigment.salary
|foursquare = 4b790c36f964a52000ea2ee3 }}
|foursquare = 4b790c36f964a52000ea2ee3 }}


==Trivia and Design==
==Trivia and Design==
[[File:Folkestone empty unit 2021.jpg|250px|thumb|right|alt=Unit to let.|One of a number of empty units available to let in the amentiy building.]]
{{fulldetails|History:Folkestone}}
{{fulldetails|History:Folkestone}}
Folkestone is the UK's most easterly motorway service area, but [[Exeter]] is more southern. As Folkestone is at the first exit after the Channel Tunnel, the series of roundabouts within the service area forms the first challenge for drivers of foreign-registered vehicles.
Folkestone is the UK's most easterly motorway service area, but [[Exeter]] is more southern. As Folkestone is at the first exit after the Channel Tunnel, the series of roundabouts within the service area forms the first challenge for drivers of foreign-registered vehicles.


Folkestone is a very unusual motorway service area precisely because it is the only one in England not to have any sister sites elsewhere in the country. It consists of a large building which is managed like a shopping centre, with individual units leased out to interested firms. For many years it was characterised by its high turnover of retail units, leading to it being labelled "[[History:Folkestone#Operation|a commercial failure]]".
Folkestone is a very unusual motorway service area precisely because it is the only one in England not to have any sister sites elsewhere in the country. It consists of a large building which is managed like a shopping centre, with individual units leased out to interested firms. For example, the [[KFC]] is operated by Caskade.


Folkestone is the only service area in England to decline to take part in the [[Transport Focus]] survey. Before pulling out it held an 86% satisfaction score.
For many years the building was characterised by its high turnover of retail units, leading to it being labelled "[[History:Folkestone#Operation|a commercial failure]]". It's now owned by a Getlink company, who also operate the Eurotunnel. Their lawyers have described the complex as mainly "lesser brands and local operators", leading to "a poor public perception".


In 2017, planning permission was granted to install a temporary two-storey, 80-bed Snoozebox hotel here to the south of the amenity building made from old shipping containers. A separate superseding planning application was accepted in September 2020 which will see the Snoozebox hotel increase in capacity to include 98 bedrooms over three stories, and in place permanently. The landowner says the hotel will be branded "Best Western or similar".
Shell demolished their car wash in 2020 to make way for four IONITY electric vehicle charging points. GRIDSERVE also installed three electric vehicle charging points in the main car park in late 2021.


Shell demolished their car wash in 2020 to make way for 4 IONITY electric vehicle charging points. GRIDSERVE also installed 3 electric vehicle charging points in the main car park in late 2021.
Taco Bell later opened on 18 January 2023 in a vacant unit next to the noodle bar.


American coffee giants {{website|Gloria Jean's|https://gloriajeans.co.uk/}} intend to open a store here in early 2022.
===Roadchef Reboot===
[[File:McDonalds Folkestone 2025.jpg|250px|thumb|right|alt=A McDonald's unit.|One of a number of new units from Roadchef in the amenity building.]]
Major changes took place in January 2025. The 'Stop 24' branding, used since the site opened, was retired and replaced by generic 'Folkestone services' signage, with reminders that it's now owned by ChannelPorts. [[Roadchef]], who also operate the [[Maidstone|nearest service area]], opened a [[Costa Drive Thru]], [[Jackpot £500]] gaming area and [[WHSmith]] here on 22 January 2025. A [[McDonald's Drive Thru]] then followed on 28 January, bringing a new well-known brand to the site for the first time in a number of years.
 
This is the first time Roadchef have leased units in this way, with them placing some of their own branding on the front of the building. Costa utilises the vacant unit previously occupied by West Cornwall Pasty whilst the McDonald's and WHSmith units replaces the former Hythe Convenience Store. Both new drive thrus required new drive thru lanes to be added to the front of the main building. It's the second time WHSmith has been available in this building.
 
As well as Roadchef's offerings, new site owner ChannelPorts have upgraded the showers and opened a lounge and fitness centre for HGV drivers. The Café unit also rebranded to The Breakfast Club, with Don Air Kebabs receiving a new fascia in the process, whilst the [[Chopstix Noodle Bar]] branding has been dropped and the unit is now simply called 'Noodle Stop'.
 
Works are also currently underway by Roadchef to add new high-powered electric vehicle charging points to the main car park, whilst the former Taco Bell unit is set to be replaced by an [[El Mexicana]] and Don Churro unit {{current|before Easter 2025}}.


==Alternatives==
==Alternatives==
{{Succession start}}
{{Succession start}}
{{Succession|1|M20| [[Maidstone]] (23 miles) |
{{Succession|1|M20| [[Maidstone]] (23 miles) |
''no official services''{{newline}}''[[Dover Port|Moto's Facilities at Dover Port]] (14 miles)'' }}
none }}
</table>
</table>


{{bottomnav}}
{{bottomnav}}
[[Category:2000s]][[Category:M20]][[Category:M20 (England)]][[Category:A20]]
[[Category:2000s]][[Category:M20]][[Category:M20 (England)]][[Category:A20]]

Latest revision as of 13:54, 1 April 2025

Location:

M20 at J11
(also accessible to traffic on the A20 and the B2068)

Signposted from the road.

Postcode:

CT21 4BL

map and directions

Access/Layout:

Single site located at a junction.

Rating: See the reviews


The last service station in England: Folkestone is located just minutes from the Eurotunnel and not much further from the Port of Dover. It calls itself the 'Port Early Arrival Facility', meaning that anyone early for their ship or a train can stop by and rest before heading onwards.

Facilities

Catering: The Breakfast Club, Curried Away, Don Air Pizza & Kebabs, KFC, Noodle Stop, Subway, Costa Express, Krispy Kreme, Costa Drive Thru, McDonald's Drive Thru Shops: WHSmith Amenities: ChannelPorts Inland Border Facility, Changing Places, Coach Interchange, Ferry Timetables, Free Cash Machines, Harbour Shipping (Bureau de Change), Jackpot £500, Revolution Laundry, Showers Outdoor Space: Picnic tables at front and side of building; grass verges only; public footpath connections Charging Points: GRIDSERVE Electric Highway 50kW CCS, 50kW CHAdeMO & 22kW Type 2; IONITY 350kW CCS Forecourt: Shell, Select, Deli by Shell, Costa Express, Free Cash Machine

Parking Prices

First 2 hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £10, caravans and motorhomes must pay £20, and HGVs must pay £29 which includes a £6 food voucher.

Prices are paid using the self-service pay points located throughout the amenity building.

The fees are strictly enforced by ChannelPorts and are monitored by ANPR cameras.

This information is provided to us by third parties. You should always check with staff on site.

Contact Details

🏢 Address:
Stop 24 Services
Stanford Intersection
Hythe
Kent
CT21 4BL


Trivia and Design

See also: History:Folkestone

Folkestone is the UK's most easterly motorway service area, but Exeter is more southern. As Folkestone is at the first exit after the Channel Tunnel, the series of roundabouts within the service area forms the first challenge for drivers of foreign-registered vehicles.

Folkestone is a very unusual motorway service area precisely because it is the only one in England not to have any sister sites elsewhere in the country. It consists of a large building which is managed like a shopping centre, with individual units leased out to interested firms. For example, the KFC is operated by Caskade.

For many years the building was characterised by its high turnover of retail units, leading to it being labelled "a commercial failure". It's now owned by a Getlink company, who also operate the Eurotunnel. Their lawyers have described the complex as mainly "lesser brands and local operators", leading to "a poor public perception".

Shell demolished their car wash in 2020 to make way for four IONITY electric vehicle charging points. GRIDSERVE also installed three electric vehicle charging points in the main car park in late 2021.

Taco Bell later opened on 18 January 2023 in a vacant unit next to the noodle bar.

Roadchef Reboot

A McDonald's unit.
One of a number of new units from Roadchef in the amenity building.

Major changes took place in January 2025. The 'Stop 24' branding, used since the site opened, was retired and replaced by generic 'Folkestone services' signage, with reminders that it's now owned by ChannelPorts. Roadchef, who also operate the nearest service area, opened a Costa Drive Thru, Jackpot £500 gaming area and WHSmith here on 22 January 2025. A McDonald's Drive Thru then followed on 28 January, bringing a new well-known brand to the site for the first time in a number of years.

This is the first time Roadchef have leased units in this way, with them placing some of their own branding on the front of the building. Costa utilises the vacant unit previously occupied by West Cornwall Pasty whilst the McDonald's and WHSmith units replaces the former Hythe Convenience Store. Both new drive thrus required new drive thru lanes to be added to the front of the main building. It's the second time WHSmith has been available in this building.

As well as Roadchef's offerings, new site owner ChannelPorts have upgraded the showers and opened a lounge and fitness centre for HGV drivers. The Café unit also rebranded to The Breakfast Club, with Don Air Kebabs receiving a new fascia in the process, whilst the Chopstix Noodle Bar branding has been dropped and the unit is now simply called 'Noodle Stop'.

Works are also currently underway by Roadchef to add new high-powered electric vehicle charging points to the main car park, whilst the former Taco Bell unit is set to be replaced by an El Mexicana and Don Churro unit before Easter 2025.

Alternatives

Previous:Next:
Maidstone (23 miles)Services on the M20none

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