MUST DO: Been down #Doho yet?

This Christmas there's an ice rink, classy pop-up bar and lots of streetfood stalls hidden away in Dover's refurbed Old Marine Station

The very grown-up bar at Cockles & Co.
Mine’s a negroni: the grown-up, dimly-lit bar at Cockles & Co. Photo: PR

Less than an hour from St Pancras on the high speed train – plus a walk or quick cab ride – is a quirky seasonal pop-up which has taken over Dover’s refurbed Old Marine Station.

Originally built in 1914, the vast Grade II-listed building had actually been closed for over twenty years. Until last month, that is.

You can't ice skate anywhere more atmospheric than this. Really. Photo: PR
You can’t ice skate anywhere more atmospheric than this. At least that’s what we reckon. Photo: PR

What some folk are branding #Doho (yes, really!) consists of an ice-rink, an English-themed Christmas market, a dozen or so streetfood stalls including That Burger, Hits the Spot and Street Pantry – and a hip bar called Cockles & Co. You may, in fact, remember the name from their successful summer run over at Folkestone’s lovely rebooted harbour arm.

Gawp at architecture you didn't know existed. Photo: PR
Gawp at architecture you didn’t know existed. Photo: PR

Situated in the former station waiting room, the vibe in this new larger Cockles spin-off is industrial-meets-glam, with its reclaimed wood bar, big pendant lights and restored windows.

On the drinks front, you can choose from Kent coast craft beer (including our fave Spratwaffler from the Time & Tide brewery in Deal), plus Chapel Down wines, mulled cider and hearty winter pies, both veggie and full-on carnivore. Oh and oysters. By the bucketload.

Briny. Get it down yer. Photo: PR
Briny. Get it down yer. Photo: PR

It was a mightily chilly night on our recent visit, all lashing rain and howling winds, so it’s worth wrapping up warm for a trip to the Docks – whether it’s to do a few flighty twirls on the rink, rummage the market or simply gawp at the awe-inspiring cast-iron Edwardian architecture that’s nearly as epic as St Pancras. Seriously.

Warm yer cockles. Photo: Peter Cocks
Cosy: a gang of stylish Dohemians at the bar. Photo: Peter Cocks

If that’s not enough, live acoustic sessions take place regularly over the Christmas period, including flamenco, jazz and blues artists. This Sunday the music schedule features Sam Mummery and Elliot Norris from 2pm.

In short? An unlikely but very memorable festive jaunt for the more pioneering sort of day-tripper.

Trains run hourly from St Pancras to Dover on Southeastern’s high speed service and take about 65 mins. You can walk, get a shuttle bus or cab to the Docks. Times and more details for both ice rink and food stalls, open daily, are here. See Cockles & Co’s Facebook page for what’s on and more info. It’s open 4pm till 10pm Fri-Sun. Til Jan 2, free. Old Marine Station, Dover Western Docks, Kent CT17 9EQ

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