Location: Dover
Top Things to do in Dover
The 10 Best Things to do in Dover, England
Dover (/ˈdoʊvər/) is a town and major ferry port in the home county of Kent, in South East England. It faces France across the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the English Channel, and lies south-east of Canterbury and east of Maidstone. The town is the administrative centre of the Dover District and home of the Dover Calais ferry through the Port of Dover. The surrounding chalk cliffs are known as the White Cliffs of Dover.
Restaurants in Dover
1. Fan Bay Deep Shelter
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 234 reviews
The tunnels were constructed in 1940/41 as accommodation for the gun battery above. Today this network of abandoned tunnels is virtually all that remains of these long forgotten defences. You can take a journey into the past on a guided tour of the tunnels with one of our expert volunteers, peering into the darkness and back in time into different world, hidden within the cliffs.
Reviewed By faulkner300917 - Huntly, United Kingdom
Went to fan bay shelter yesterday.. lovely walk along the cliff top,with stunning views. The guide was informative and use humour and great passion when explaining the shelters use and conditions of living in it as a solider. My only criticism ( and it more a personal preference) as it's only been open 3 seasons, it could be developed more. I'd have like to see a part of the shelter set up like it was then with bunks and soldiers items to help me feel what it would be like to live down there... maybe a recording of noise that could add to the ambience. I'm NTS card holder but thought £10 was reasonable. To top my visit coming out of the shelter a spit fire was over head.... Ace!!!
2. Dover Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,108 reviews
The most iconic of all English fortresses commanding the gateway to the realm for nine centuries. Climb the Great Tower, meet the characters and immerse yourself in vivid medieval interiors. Then delve deep within Dover's White Cliffs to witness the drama in the Secret Wartime Tunnels. Roam through centuries of history at Dover Castle, from the Romans to the 20th century, in an action-packed day out.
Reviewed By TEK1904 - St Ives, United Kingdom
We have just returned from an absolutely phenomenal weekend staying in the grounds of Dover Castle. From the tunnel tours to the Great Tower steeped in history, to the views across the English Channel and the access to the grounds before and after hours we were totally blown away and awestruck. A special mention to all the staff throughout our stay who were friendly, informative, helpful, enthusiastic and passionate about such an incredible place . Not forgetting Lesley the housekeeper who ensured our stay was spot on. An absolute credit to English heritage and Dover Castle. We will most definitely be returning. Highly recommend.
3. The White Cliffs of Dover
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,851 reviews
Reviewed By nigel567
We had lovely walk along the top of the cliffs great views of the ferries and the harbour on a bright sunny day
4. South Foreland Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 488 reviews
A remote, isolated, pristine-white, solid beacon; a place of innovation and scientific firsts, now also a romantic hideaway and big-hearted family haven, the South Foreland lighthouse stands proud atop the White Cliffs of Dover. It surprises and delights with its warmth of welcome and unexpectedly wistful atmosphere, quaint and charming and yet robust and protecting. Like the Knott family of the past, its current keepers, who mostly offer their time for free, are witness to events and show commitment and spirit in manning the light. Inside the Victorian tower, surprising stories unfold of a unique history that has shaped our world and influenced our travel, our trade, and our industrial and maritime heritage. Outside seemingly endless skies roll away across the English Channel and 21 miles away, the coast of France splits the sky from the sea. Serenity is broken when waves steepen, dark clouds tumble in, the wind lashes and the mouth-watering views are swallowed up. The lighthouse stands its ground and is once again protector, until the calm returns as quickly as it left and butterflies come out of hiding. Arrival is on foot across the beautiful and yet challenging cliffs, thus the lighthouse attracts the more adventurous. None the less, children’s laughter is all around, and the nostalgia of Mrs Knott’s tearoom attracts all generations, those who come to reflect and those who want to find out more about the traditions of the past. From its post on top of the gateway to Britain, South Foreland Lighthouse watches over their past, their present and their future.
Reviewed By enaid035 - London, United Kingdom
A wonderful day rambling over the white cliffs of Dover to this little gem , a fabulous light house and tea rooms called Mrs Knotts The guide was so informative and interesting and all the guides were friendly and helpful It’s an amazing piece of British history and the view on a day like ours was marvellous, you can see France clearly. The tearooms are quirky and quaint the scones delicious and the service excellent
5. The Grand Shaft
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By pennie2016
we went to the open day, amazing! and all done by volunteers. well presented, well organized. what a lovely surprise, we live in dover and decided to visit the Grand Shaft, (nostalgia time folks!) we went to the Fort. the layout and information was extensive, the enthusiasm of the volunteers catching. More Open Days please
6. Dover Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
Free entry to 4 galleries over 3 floors, covering archaeology, town history and the Dover Bronze Age Boat - the world's oldest known sea-going vessel - plus gift shop and Visitor Information Centre for Dover, Deal and Sandwich Fully accessible for wheelchair users
Reviewed By X5206QEpeterh - Palmerston North, New Zealand
I had wanted to go to Dunkirk and to Amiens and Le Quesnoy. However, I found that I would really not have enough time, so while initially having made Dover a port to cross the Channel, I decided to rather remain in Dover and explore. We stayed in a comfortable B&B and hired a car to get around. In order to decide what to do and see, we sought out the local information centre, which is housed in the Dover Museum. While there we decided to have a look at the museum. What a gem! Admission was free and the museum had some amazing exhibits, including much from the early Anglo - Saxon times with awesome artefacts. The top floor housed some aspects of the history of the port and also featured some aspects of Operation Dynamo - the Dunkirk rescue of the British Expeditionary Force, with some interesting video footage. ( So, although I didn't get to Dunkirk - I didn't miss out!) However, what was really amazing for us was the Dover Bronze Age boat gallery. Hardly advertised, we discovered that in 1992, while excavating for a road link, a wooden boat was found. It turned out to be about 3,000 years old dating from the Bronze Age. Afther seven pains taking years the boat has been restored as best as it can be and is now on display in the Bronze Age boat gallery. For us having come from New Zealand where history is only a matter of a few hundred years, looking at somthing this old was breathtaking and a priviledge. There were plenty of other things to see and do in Dover, but this museum is a must!
7. Samphire Hoe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 374 reviews
Reviewed By TheKentishWayfarer - Canterbury, United Kingdom
Samphire Hoe's website describes itself as, "...Eurotunnel’s nature reserve created at time of the Channel Tunnel construction at the foot of the famous White Cliffs of Dover in Kent (UK)." A beautiful spot, easy to access, with plenty of parking (£1 for two hours). There is an information centre (which was closed on our visit), a cafe and clean toilets. Picnic benches are scattered around the area. There are two walks. The first is along the human made sea wall (1.7km), and the second is through the protected waterside meadow and grassland. The view is stunning, with abundance of wildlife and sweeping majestic views out across the English Channel and France on a clear day. Roaming sheep and cows were an unexpected surprise. At the end of the meadow is the pebble beach, which extends for approximately another 1.5 kms, nestled under the towering chalk cliffs. If you enjoy the outdoors, photography, bird watching, rambling, and adventuring, you will love this place. Our 8 year old son said "I though it was really really great. I loved running around, seeing animals all around me, the beach was cool, and I loved looking at the massive chalk cliffs!"
8. St Margaret's Bay Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 519 reviews
Reviewed By pirate012015 - Chepstow, United Kingdom
Great little bay to just sit and watch the world go by , plenty of activity on the water watching the shipping, planes overhead and trains somewhere under the sea! car park next to sea ,refreshments on hand and the required facilities, take your chair with you and sit and enjoy this lovely little bay, but drive carefully the road down is tricky.
9. Western Heights
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
Reviewed By Ziggy1973 - London, United Kingdom
No idea what to expect when we got here. It’s so hidden you can almost miss it! Not only is this a stunning vantage point over-looking Dover Port and English Channel, but it’s literally a hidden fort! Built during Napoleonic Wars to help protect English shores. Thus place is well and truly hidden but when you find its its stunning and eerie all at the same time! The fort can be access by a tuning hidden tunnel which you have to crouch in order to get to the other side. But once there it’s very quiet. Thus fort was occupied by the British Army until 1961 and remains exactly the same as when it was locked up. Once we finished with the port, there is a path that leads down to more fort areas and the beach below. But my favourite part was the stunning view from the top of the Channel. No tourists here. Very quiet and peaceful. I will come back! It was a great find!
10. P&O Ferries - Day Trips
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 1,248 reviews
Go on a little adventure with our Day Trip To France and drive off the ferry at Calais to enjoy a whole day away with your family and friends to explore the true beauty of France. Calais and the Hauts-de-France region of northern France are just a 90 minute ferry journey from Dover which means that you can be enjoying your day trip in no time at all, and even though it is often just thought of as the gateway to France this area has a lot to offer its day trip guests.
Reviewed By Homfirth - Holmfirth, United Kingdom
We have just returned from our continental holiday outbound on The Pride of Kent and inbound on The Spirit of France. Both were excellent crossings, loading and unloading went without a hitch and on schedule. As the boats were very busy, being the beginning of the school holidays we headed for The Brasserie Restaurant to avoid any queues and delays. The staff were very friendly and efficient. We were shown to a table by the window so we could enjoy the view. A window table is always good even if all you can see is water, it makes you feel relaxed and in holiday mode. The food was excellent, well presented and very tasty, the service efficient but not hurried. It is only a 1½ hour journey but still had time to visit the shop and buy gifts etc. The staff work very hard, are always pleasant and it is always a pleasure to go with P&O.
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