Famous for its White Cliffs, Dover is a thriving Channel Port with a wealth of history, some beautiful walks in our areas of outstanding natural beauty, and some very good restaurants.
Many visitors rush through Dover on their way to and from the continent, but it is well worth staying over for a night or two, or perhaps coming for a short break, to explore all there is to see and do in the town. Amongst them...
Dover's Majestic 12th. Century Norman Castle, with the Hellfire Corner Tunnels, (here you can stand on the balcony, overlooking the English Channel, imagining why it was called "Hellfire Corner"). It is here that Sir Winston Churchill and Lord Ramsey organised the evacuation of Dunkirk.
There is also the Underground Hospital, used during the War; the audio visual display telling the story of the siege of 1216 when the French tried to invade England at Dover and one of the floors in the Castle Keep has been given over to Henry VIII period.
In the grounds of the Castle is the beautiful Anglo-Saxon Church, with the Roman lighthouse next to it.
There is also a train to take you to different parts of the Castle grounds, if you have difficulties with walking.
Don't forget there are also Castles close by at Deal and Walmer, also well worth a visit.
There's many more things to see and do outside of the Castle grounds: along the beautiful seafront, with the Prince-of Wales Pier extending out of the Harbour, with the White Cliffs of Dover as a backdrop, it makes it a wonderful walk.
Crabble Corn Mill
BUILT in 1812 to feed the thousands of troops defending the Kent Coast against the threat of invasion by Napoleon, at this time it was one of over a dozen watermills along the river Dour. The mill closed when steam
power replaced water power. Now you can enjoy a visit and a guided tour by a miller and see it working. Relax in our river-side Tea Room with views across the mill-pond.
Opening Hours: All 11.00 to 17.00. February to Easter, Saturday & Sunday only, then to the end of September, Tuesday to Sunday. October to 20th December Sat & Sun. only. Open Bank Holidays except Christmas. Closed Jan.
Enquiries 01304 823292.
Website: www.ccmt.org.uk
Email info@crabblecornmill.org.uk Location: River, Dover
Dover Museum and Bronze-Age Boat Gallery
DOVER District's largest and most varied museum has a range of fascinating
real objects, models and original pictures showing the history of Dover.
Included in the admission charge is entry to the award-winning Bronze-Age
Boat Gallery, housing the world's oldest surviving sea-going vessel; telling the
story with interactive exhibits, computers and microscopes.
Regular family days, please ring for details.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday 10.00 to 17.00
Sunday April to September: 10.00 to 15.00
Sunday October to March closed
Admission: Adult £2.00, Snr/Child £1.25p.
Enquiries: Tel/Fax 01304 201066/241186
Email: museum@dover.gov.uk Website: www.dovermuseum.co.uk
Location: Market Square, Dover
The Roman Painted House
AN EXCEPTIONALLY well-preserved Roman Official Hotel (mansio) with
extensive intact wall paintings and elaborate under-floor heating (hypocaust).
Substantial remains of Roman Fort wall and bastion, all within a modern covered
building. Major displays on Roman Dover.
Opening Hours: 1st April - 30th September, Tuesdays to Sundays 10.00 to
1700. Bank Holiday Mondays and Mondays in July and August 1000-1700.
Admission: Adults £2.00. Senior Citizens & children up to 16, 80p.
Enquiries: 01304 203279
Location: New Street, close Market Square, Dover CT17 9AJ
The Grand Shaft
A UNIQUE triple spiral staircase, winding round a central light-well, dropping
140 feet through the cliffs. It was built during the Napoleonic Wars to link the
Harbour to the barracks and fortifications on the Western Heights.
The Grand Shaft is not normally open to the public, but tours for groups are
readily available if booked before-hand.
Group Rates £1.00 per person. Minimum 20.
Enquiries: Tel/Fax 01304 201066/241186. Email: museum@dover.gov.uk
Website: www.dovermuseum.co.uk
Location: Snargate Street, Dover
Dover Transport Museum
THE museum has road vehicles of all types, from bicycles to buses. Model Railway and Tramway. Local transport history. Hundreds of models. Bygone shops and garage. See exhibits under restoration.
Tea room open Sundays.
Opening Hours: 1st of May to 30th
September, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 1330-1700.
Sundays throughout the year and Bank Holidays, 1000-1700.
Location: White Cliffs Business Park, Willingdon Road, Whitfield, Dover.
Goodnestone Park Gardens
CONSIDERED to be one of the best gardens in the South East, with 14 acres including a woodland area and walled garden. Fine trees, large collection of roses and herbaceous plants. Connections with Jane Austen who frequently visited. One of only 3 gardens in Kent to be awarded the coveted 2 Stars by the Good
Gardener's Guide.
Opening Hours: 11.00 to 17.00 Wednesdays to Sundays from 22nd March - 7th October.
Enquiries: Tel/Fax 01304 840107.
Email: fitzwalter@btinternet.com
Website: www.goodnestoneparkgardens.co.uk
Location: Near Wingham, Canterbury,Kent.
White Cliffs Boat Tours
SEE the fantastic sights of Dover from aboard our 70-seater passenger vessel SOUTHERN QUEEN.
Enjoy our commentary on the history of the Port and Town. View the famous White
Cliffs of Dover, Dover Castle and visiting cruise ships. Duration approx. 40
mins.
Open: April & May weekends. June to August every day, then September and October weekends. Sailing times 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600.
Enquiries - Phone & Fax: 01303 271388.
Mob. 07971 301379
Location: Dover Marina
Battle of Britain Memorial
A MEMORIAL to the Allied aircrew of the Battle of Britain. Opened in July 1993, the Memorial is in the shape of a giant three-bladed propeller carved into the ground with the statue of a lone airman sitting on the propeller-boss looking out to sea. Carved on the boss, are the Squadron badges of the RAF units which took part in the battle. A black granite wall lists 3000 aircrew who took part; close by sit full scale models of a Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire. There is a Visitor Centre which has a range of souvenirs and refreshments. The site is open daily April 1st. to Sept. 30th. 11:00 -17:00. Admission is FREE, but donations are very welcome. Coach groups welcome all year, but contact Mrs Lynn Hall, Site Director, on 01303 253286, beforehand.
Battle of Britain Museum
THE MUSEUM has UK's largest Battle of Britain artefacts. Relics from 600 aircraft. Beverages, snacks and shop. FREE Parking. Groups very welcome, please phone for opening times, rates etc. on 01303 893140 www.kbobm.org kentbattleofbritainmuseum@btinternet.com Aerodrome Rd, Hawkinge, CT18 7AG
East Kent Railway
THE RAILWAYwas originally constructed to carry coal from the local mines; it
now carries people from the idyllic station at Shepherdswell, through the Kent
Countryside to the village of Eythorne on historic trains. There is also a buffet,
shop, miniature railway, picnic area and museum.
Opening Hours: Station at Shepherdswell open all year for
static viewing from 11.00am-3pm except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New
Year's Day. Trains operate an hourly service on Sundays & Bank holidays from
Easter to September departing Shepherdswell 1130 to 1530. Santa Specials run
on December weekends and there are Halloween Ghost Trains in October.
Please telephone 01689 876023.
Website: www.eastkentrailway.com Location: Shepherdswell, Near Dover.
White Cliffs voted best UK coastline
THE White Cliffs of Dover have been voted the most popular stretch of coastline in the UK.
The iconic landmark was a clear winner, with 22% of votes cast in a National Trust (NT) poll to find the best-loved out of its 25 coastal properties.
“It is a testimony to the passion that people feel for the White Cliffs of Dover,” said NT manager Simon Ovenden. “They have always been such an evocative symbol of our freedom and pride, hope, security and, of course, of home.”
Thousands of members of the public as well as NT members voted by phone and text in the poll.
Take a day trip to France either by car or as a foot passenger for shopping and/or sightseeing.
If you like walking, try one of the Nationally recognised walks in our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or enjoy the beautiful cliff-top walks on Langdon Cliffs (the White Cliffs of Dover), where you can look over the Port of Dover and the ferries, as they sail between France and England. The National Trust have built a Visitor Centre here, where you can take refreshments and find information on the flora and fauna etc. there.
You can also take a cliff-top walk to St. Margarets along the coast and enjoy lunch and refreshments at the Coastguard Pub, set on the Seafront at St. Margarets Bay.
On the other side of the valley are the Western Heights, the site of the most extensive Napoleonic fortifications ever built in England.
The Citadel, the Grand Shaft (a triple spiral staircase) and the Drop Redoubt are the main buildings that survive and at certain times of the year, are open to the public.
From the top of the Western Heights, you can look out over the Cruise Terminals and the beautiful majestic floating Hotels moored there.
For information on old Dover and past events, please take a look at the following web-sites: British Pathe Archives and ITN News Archives.
Personalised local tours are also available with a qualified South East England Tour Guide. For further information please contact Nigel Armitage-Smith, email nigel@guidedtourservices.co.uk
For in-depth information on Dover and its history, please visit the following web-sites: www.doverpast.co.uk and www.dover-kent.co.uk.
DEAL is a very special place to visit, some say it is the prettiest seaside town in Kent. Henry VIII thought it so good, he built three castles here. Deal is also one of the Cinque Ports.
The quality historic sites and attractions of Deal and Walmer Castles; the Timeball Tower; Deal Maritime & Local History Museum; the newly restored Pier and many others, including the Smugglers' Cottages in the medieval narrow streets, show there is something for everyone. Take a stroll along the seafront, trying the wonderful fresh fish restaurants with their daily catch. There are ample coach parks on the seafront allowing guests/passengers to visit and enjoy every aspect of Deal's history, as well as the shops, pubs and restaurants serving food. Explore for that special gift in a wealth of small specialist shops to rival the famous Brighton Lanes. Walmer Castle and their spectacular gardens a short three-minute coach ride away.
For more details, please contact Deal Visitor Centre, The Landmark Centre, High Street, Deal on 01304 369576, or email info@deal.gov.uk
SANDWICH, one of the original Cinque Ports, can lay claim to being one of the most historic towns in the country. The street plan has changed little since the time of Domesday in 1086. The first recorded mention of Sandwich was in 664 when it was a 'thriving town' and Saxon stronghold.
A wealth of historic sites and attractions awaits those who visit: The Guildhall, the ancient Churches of St. Clement's, St. Mary's, St. Bartholemew's, St. Peter's and the United Reformed Church, Richborough Roman Fort (just 1.5 miles north of the town) and the White Mill Heritage Centre. Of particular interest are The Barbican and Fishergate on the Quay. There are many fine shops and quality restaurants to enjoy and, in Strand Street, there are more half-timbered houses than in any other street in England. Walk the Historic Town Trail around the old town walls and discover the history behind the town.
