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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
