Day trip to France (1863)

Post date: Mar 27, 2013 3:52:0 PM

Advert from Maidstone Telegraph, 19th September 1863.

The reference to "No passport required" is interesting: passports had existed since biblical times but generally they were not required in Europe to visit a sea port, such as Boulogne, but were to go to an inland town. However, the advent of the railway, with much larger numbers travelling, resulted in the lack of any enforcement of passport requirement in the late 19th century up and until WWI.

It is probable that this excursion would have run through Folkestone, the natural port to link to Boulogne. The SER had acquired Folkestone harbour for £18,000 in 1843 (source: South Eastern Railway by Adrian Gray p. 259). Services to Boulogne from Folkestone were started in August 1843, with boats owned by SER used from September 1844. SER made attempts to develop continental excursion traffic: in July 1845 it ran a half fare excursion to Boulogne returning 2 days after departure. A train station at Boulogne (link to Amiens) did open until 1848 despite SER involvement in supporting. In August 1861 a new deep water pier opened at Folkestone to accommodate larger vessels.

CHEAP EXCURSION TO BOULOGNE & BACK

BY

SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY AND STEAM BOATS,

ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th, 1863,

Leaving

Arriving at Boulogne at 11.0 a.m.

RETURNING from Boulogne, same day 7.0 p.m.

FARES THERE AND BACK.

Covered Carriages Second Class.

7s. 6d. 10s.

Children under ten half fares.

NO PASSPORT REQUIRED.

C. W. EBORALL.