The Top 4 Things to Do In Dover, England

[Cynthia Madison]

Dover is one of the coastal towns in Kent County, near the United Kingdom's southeastern corner and of course jumping off point for the ferries across the English Channel to Calais, France. Dover is also the administrative center of the Dover District. It is known for the White Cliffs of Dover, the chalk cliffs along the nearby coast. With inexpensive accommodations and friendly locals, this is also one of the most popular places of interest in the UK and has played host to millions of tourists from all over the world. You can get airport transfers to Dover from any of the airports in the UK. Here are the major attractions that will make a trip to Dover worthwhile and memorable:

White Cliffs of Dover     

A visit here is never complete without a visit to the legendary White Cliffs of Dover (top). You can get a full view if you walk from Deal to Dover along the White Cliffs path. The walk may take up to three hours, but you can cover it faster if you are physically fit.  You can have a full view of the sea and several other places of interest along the way.  Some of the areas of interest observable during your three hours trek are:

• Noel Coward's house and gardens
• South Foreland Lighthouse
• Dover Patrol Monument

I'd recommend packing some food and drink to take with you, and do not forget to wear comfortable footwear and clothing!

Dover Castle

This iconic English fortress remains one of the most outstanding in the UK; nine centuries old (dating back to the era of Roman Britain), it's one of the country's most historic.  You can climb the Great Tower in the castle and get a feel of the opulent medieval interiors, which can take you back into those centuries you have only read about.  The secret wartime tunnels built into the castle will also have you spellbound. 

The Western Heights

Tucked away in the Dover Hills, One of Britain's most impressive fortifications is a series of forts, strong points and ditches, designed in first half of the 19th century to protect the country from invasion (especially from Napoleonic France). The view from up here is gorgeous, and the structures' size and breadth are awe-inspiring (be sure to check out the Grand Shaft, one of the most impressive and majestic staircases in the world). Consult the English Heritage website for further details, including tours.

Dover Museum           

Three floors and four galleries worth of fascinating history and archaeology are both educational and inspiring, and their marquee attraction is the Dover Bronze Age Boat (above), the worlds''s oldest known seagoing vessel . The museum shop is also a great place to buy unique gifts. Open daily 9:30 AM to 5 PM.




In short, this star of Britain's southeast should be on your bucket list, and to get the most out of it, consider a minibus with driver hire.