Dover

 

Dover

 

Editor's Rating - 3 Stars

 

 The heart of Dover is a busy commercial port which operates ferry services between the UK and France.  Over 16 million passengers, 3 million cars, and 2 million lorries pass through the port each year.  But the ferry services are largely confined to the Eastern Docks, and a cruise passenger, arriving at the character cruise terminal at the Western Docks, will largely avoid the hustle and bustle of the ferry port.  Moreover the town offers some delightful attractions including the impressive Dover Castle, and the iconic White Cliffs.

  

Editor's Top Tip

 

The weather in the UK is notoriously changeable (though the South Easter corner of England does generally enjoy good weather during summer). Since both Dover's top attractions - the Castle and the White Cliffs - are largely out of doors, keep an eye on the weather forecast and make sure to take a waterproof jacket if rain is possible. 

 

Location Of Dover's Top Attractions On A Map

 

 

 

 Things To See

 

 

Dover Castle
Dover Castle is one of the biggest castles in England. It stands proudly on the White Cliffs, guarding the important port beneath. The castle holds costume days so you can enjoy the pageantry and intrigue of a medieval Royal court. In the grounds of the castle stands well preserved Roman era lighthouse, which is amongst the oldest Roman buildings in Britain.

 

  

 

 

 

Roman Painted House

Originally dating from around AD 200 the Roman Painted house was a section of a hotel for travelers crossing the Channel.  The house boasts large intact wall paintings and an elaborate hypocaust system. The house is a short walk from the cruise port.

 

 

 

 

 

Dover Museum
The centerpiece at Dover Museum is a Bronze Age Boat, which is around 3400 years old. The boat was the subject of seven years of preservation and conservation work in Plymouth, before coming back to Dover. Dover Museum is open every day of the week from June through to August.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White Cliffs Of Dover
The White Cliffs of Dover are southern England’s most celebrated landscape, and from the clifftops, on a clear day, you can make out mainland Europe. If you hike along the cliff edge you’ll spot plenty of beautiful fauna and flora, like butterflies, wildflowers and birds. If you’d prefer to see the cliffs from below, several local boat trips departing from Dover enable you to see the cliffs up close from the sea.

 

 

 

 

St. Margaret’s Bay
A short distance east of Dover, a narrow road zig-zags down a gap in the White Cliffs to arrive at an attractive beach fronting St Margaret’s Bay. There’s ample parking, a snack stall, and a picnic area. One way of getting to St Margaret’s from Dover is the #15 bus, which offers an hourly service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cruise Information

 

Cruise selection guide Dover Cruises