Kent's Forgotten Railways: Exploring Abandoned Stations #

Step back in time as we uncover the abandoned and forgotten railway stations of Kent, England. Once thriving with passengers, these stations are now left in eerie silence, overgrown and hidden in history. In this video, we explore the haunting remains of four key stations that played a major role in Kent’s transport network.
Featured Stations:
📍 Dover Marine Station (Dover Western Docks) - Built in 1919, this station was a grand terminus for cross-channel passengers traveling between the UK and Europe. With an 800-meter-long platform, it was a crucial link for boat trains. However, as ferry travel declined and the Channel Tunnel took over, the station shut its doors in 1994. Today, the station building remains, repurposed as a cruise terminal, but its railway past is still visible.
📍 Gravesend West Railway Station - Opened in 1886, this station was part of the London, Tilbury & Southend Railway, serving boat trains connecting London to steamers. However, the rise of road transport and competing rail services led to its closure in 1968. Today, while the station is gone, the pier still stands, a forgotten relic of its maritime past.
📍 Folkestone Harbour Station - Once a key hub for cross-channel travel, this station opened in 1850 and served as a critical railway-ferry interchange. During both World Wars, it was a departure point for thousands of soldiers. But as ferry services declined, the station was abandoned in 2001. Today, its empty platforms and viaduct remain, offering a haunting glimpse into Kent’s railway history.
📍 Tunbridge Wells West Station - Opened in 1866, this station was part of the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway, providing a vital link for local travel. It was closed in 1985, but unlike other stations on this list, it has been partially revived! Today, heritage trains run on the Spa Valley Railway, keeping its railway spirit alive.
Why did these stations close? What remains of them today? Join us as we explore Kent’s lost railway heritage, uncovering the silent platforms, derelict tracks, and haunting stories that remain.
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Photo Source
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[@buzzukfiftythree]

Really interesting video, thanks. Having lived in Kent all my 70 year life, I remember many of the now defunct stations shown in the video when still in operation, and we now live just outside Tunbridge Wells, a stones throw from the TW to Eridge line. Often hear the whistles and horns of the Spa Valley Railway, especially in the Spring and Summer when it’s at its busiest. Interestingly, the branch line from just west of Longfield (on the Swanley to Rochester line) to Gravesend West was utilised for a short while by the Eurostars when they operated out of Waterloo, linking to HS1 at Southfleet before St Pancras International was finished and ready for Eurostar services. Dover Marine Station is now used as a cruise terminal for an increasing number of cruise sailings from Dover. It’s a great pity that they stopped using it as a station as it would be a good selling point for passengers embarking on cruises, instead of clogging up the roads with coaches and cars wanting to access the port.

[@Sam_Green____4114]

I remember catching a train at Dover western Docks in the 80s ,late at night ,after getting off the ferry form Calais .! I remember it got to Victoria very early in the morning about 1 Am or 2AM or later . I had a long wait at Liiver Pool Sreet for my train home . When I got home I just climbed into bed and had a few hours sleep before I had to go to work later that day

[@duncancurtis5108]

I saw Folkestone East in 1985, with an old wooden barrow left on the platform. There's also Rosherville.

[@kristinajendesen7111]

We travelled to Ostend from Dover in the mid 60s a couple of times so must have travelled to Dover Marine from Coventry. Sadly I have no memory of the trains or the station. I do remember that we used to sit outside on benches on the ferry.