The Famous Ship Inn

8.4
Excellent
(465 reviews)

65 Sandgate High St, Sandgate, Folkestone CT20 3AH, United Kingdom

+44 1303 905365

Access the hotel social media

Hotel Description

The Famous Ship Inn, located at 65 Sandgate High St, Sandgate, Folkestone CT20 3AH, United Kingdom, offers a charming stay by the sea, ideal for guests looking to enjoy both relaxation and local culture. This quaint, smoke-free property sits just a minute’s walk from the picturesque Sandgate Beach, making it a perfect choice for beach lovers. The welcoming ambiance of the inn, with its warm, nautical-inspired decor, creates an inviting atmosphere that reflects the region’s rich maritime history. The hotel's location allows easy access to the area’s vibrant attractions, including the White Cliffs of Dover and Dover Castle, while the bustling seaside town of Folkestone is just a short distance away. Guests can take in the beautiful surroundings and enjoy a variety of activities, from exploring historical landmarks to relaxing by the beach.
The rooms at The Famous Ship Inn are designed for comfort, featuring modern amenities that ensure a restful stay. With free Wi-Fi, each room offers guests a relaxing and peaceful retreat, whether for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation. Guests have access to a well-appointed restaurant that serves fresh, local produce, including a beloved menu featuring classic English dishes like ‘fish and chips,’ which has earned numerous compliments. The hotel’s bar is another highlight, praised for its excellent drinks selection and vibrant atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploration.
One of the standout features of this inn is its proximity to Sandgate Beach, allowing guests to easily stroll to the sand and enjoy the sea breeze or engage in water activities. The hotel offers direct beach access, which is a rare find in the area. A freshly prepared breakfast is also a favorite among guests, ensuring a great start to their day.
The Famous Ship Inn provides a convenient base for visitors exploring the stunning coastal surroundings and historical attractions nearby. In addition to its beachfront location, guests will find easy access to several public transportation options, including Folkestone West station, which is just a short taxi ride away. For those flying in, the hotel is well connected to London airports, with travel times ranging from one to two hours by taxi. The property's easy access to major attractions, such as Dover Castle (a 20-minute drive away) and the Port Lympne Safari Park, makes it an ideal choice for families and history enthusiasts alike. The hotel's friendly service, combined with its prime location, guarantees a memorable stay for all guests.
Nearby, visitors can explore the Lower Leas Coastal Park, Sunny Sands beach, and the White Cliffs of Dover, all offering stunning views and unique experiences. The region’s rich cultural heritage, paired with the hotel’s laid-back yet stylish setting, ensures that guests leave with cherished memories of their time at The Famous Ship Inn.

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. One-minute walk to Sandgate Beach with direct beach access

2. Highly praised restaurant offering popular 'fish and chips' and other local dishes

3. Popular bar serving a wide variety of drinks in a lively atmosphere

4. Delicious breakfast options that guests regularly rave about

5. Close proximity to Folkestone’s major tourist attractions including Dover Castle and White Cliffs of Dover

6. Easy access to major airports, including London City and Gatwick, with travel times of about 1 to 2 hours

7. Ideal for guests seeking a combination of relaxation and cultural exploration

8. Smoke-free property ensuring a healthy environment for all guests

9. Convenient access to public transportation with nearby walking distances to major points of interest

10. Quiet and peaceful location, perfect for a relaxing seaside retreat


6.6 Good

Location rating

Top sights

Dover Castle
20 min
Port Lympne Safari Park
18 min
White Cliffs of Dover
23 min
Sunny Sands
9 min
The Lower Leas Coastal Park
14 min
See more Interesting locations

Good to know

Check-in15:00
Check-out11:00
Location rating6.6
Nearest airportLondon City Airport
Travel time to airport1 hr 35 min

Nightly price (Only for reference price for sample day)

Check-in: Sat, Dec 07
Check-out: Sun, Dec 08
    Booking.com

    $117

    Bluepillow.com

    $116

    Agoda

    $117

    LateRooms.com

    $117

    Priceline

    $117


Location

65 Sandgate High St, Sandgate, Folkestone CT20 3AH, United Kingdom

Airports:

Heathrow Airport

Taxi: 2 hr 6 min

Transit: 2 hr 21 min

London City Airport

Transit: 1 hr 35 min

Taxi: 1 hr 36 min

London Luton Airport

Transit: 2 hr 16 min

Taxi: 2 hr 19 min

London Stansted Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 54 min

Transit: 2 hr 32 min

London Gatwick Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 43 min

Transit: 2 hr 38 min

London Southend Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 50 min

Transit: 2 hr 28 min

Transit:

Folkestone School for Girls

Walking: 15 min

Folkestone West

Taxi: 4 min

Walking: 26 min

The Crescent

Walking: 1 min

Coolinge Lane

Walking: 13 min

War Memorial

Walking: 3 min


Nearby locations

6.6

Good Location

Top Attractions


Amenities and Facilities

Activities

Beach access

Policies & payments

Smoke-free property

Food & drink

Restaurant

Bar

Breakfast

Wellness

No fitness center

No spa

Internet

Wi-Fi

Pools

No pools

No hot tub


Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

9.0

10 reviews

Wonderful
6
Excellent
3
Good
1
Below Average
0
Not Good
0
Cover Image for George Still

George Still

3/5
Beautiful October day so lunch on the terrace seemed like a great idea. Great location. Friendly service despite being a fryer down in the kitchen and shuffling with service.However the food was not nearly as good.Sausage roll was tasty.Pork belly bites were OK but small and not really much about them.Buttermilk chicken loaded fires only had four small bits of chicken, and not much cheese.Beef Burger was very poor. Dry and small, and a cheese sauce that I was not a fan off at all. Would not recommend going there for the food. Sadly.

Cover Image for Trevor Hudson

Trevor Hudson

4/5
Really nice pub and restaurant. I particularly liked the fact that there are lots of little rooms with a different ambience.Food is pub grub done well. We had the burgers which were excellent.Not technically part of the restaurant they have an upper deck which is outdoor tables for eating and drinking if you order at the bar but have views to rival the nearby rowing club 😀Not sure why it is famous. I wonder if you are that famous do you need 'famous' in your name. But surely to have the brass to have it in your name you must BE famous. 🤔

JB

Jason B

5/5
Great location. Amazing view. Very comfortable bed. Very clean room, well presented and with good facilities. Very good breakfast. Warm and friendly hosts. Parking may be problem but we got lucky with a place right outside - this is not a negative but for information purposes.

Cover Image for Anouk Agussol

Anouk Agussol

5/5
Had a big family lunch for 8 people on Sunday. We shared a bunch of starters and each had a roast. The food was absolutely delicious and the service by Caroline and her team was top notch! Never easy serving 8 (quite demanding) people. Will definitely be back! Thank you!

Cover Image for Andy Sanders

Andy Sanders

4/5
Did not stay overnight but stopped for a quick drink and enjoyed the sea view from the terrace. Good service, place was generally clean and pleasant. Only slight negative point was the rusty frame under the tables, which had potential to injure bare legs or feet.

Service 5

Location5

Cover Image for Keith Roberts

Keith Roberts

5/5
Unable to review accommodation as we (like most people) just visited the pub.Great casual, free house, pub in Sandgate. It has an amazing selection of draught beers.We went on a Friday evening and the pub was buzzing. There is a side room that can be booked for celebrations and there was a birthday party in progress when we visited.Although we'd not booked, the friendly staff went out of their way to create us a table for supper. We were three diners and all chose the haddock and chips, a great call. Despite the pub being busy, the food was served promptly and was absolutely delicious. The fish was perfectly cooked and the batter crisp and light. The chips were also very good.We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and will definitely return.

CG

Clive G

5/5
The accommodation is actually in the cottage next door to the pub. The hosts are charming and very helpful. Our room was on the first floor, with wonderful sea views. It was extremely clean and very comfortable. …

Cover Image for Deborah Robinson

Deborah Robinson

5/5
Fantastic stay. The bed and breakfast was stunning. Our room was at the top of the house. We had a bedroom and separate sitting room with stunning sea views - any closer and you’d be in the sea. 😂 such a lovely couple who own and run it.Went for a meal in the Ship in, the food was tasty - fish and chips were exceptional and try the duck in hoisin sauce balls. Not overpriced either, which is a bonus for me being extremely careful = tight. 😊Definitely coming back.

GM

Gini M

5/5
Cute little pub right on the seafront, plenty public parking close by. Our overnight stay turned out to be in the cottage next door where the previous owners now live. We had a lovely room with fabulous sea views. …

Cover Image for Tom Shall

Tom Shall

4/5
A lovely little pub right next to the beach.I would have liked to have sampled the food as the menu looked good.Drink prices are average.The only downside was the outside seats were positioned next to some wheelie bins.