Dover: what to see, where to eat and what to do at night

At the far southeastern corner of England, the picturesque city of Dover, renowned for its strategic position as a kind of bridge between Great Britain and the rest of the continent, is one of the most "alternative" destinations to visit if you plan to stay in the land of Queen Elizabeth that doesn't necessarily include cosmopolitan London.

Cliffs, fortresses, and remnants from the Roman era make this location truly fascinating. Let's discover together what to see in Dover with this guide featuring practical tips about the city!

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The White Cliffs, originally named White Cliffs of Dover, are Dover's number one natural attraction, the pride of local tourism! This impressive chalky natural wonder overlooks the English Channel and is a target for photographers, cyclists, and nature lovers. It is the ideal location for breathtaking postcard photos and to learn about local flora and fauna.

To best explore this wonderful area, we recommend visiting the National Trust's Gateway to the White Cliffs Visitor Center. Finally, don't miss the opportunity to walk inside the Fan Bay Deep Shelter, a network of underground tunnels constructed during World War II!

One of the best times to visit the cliffs is at sunset when the sky turns red and the colors reflect not only on the sea but also on the white cliffs.

At the end of the journey to discover the White Cliffs, you will find the South Foreland Lighthouse, in English South Foreland Lighthouse. This white lighthouse stands out against the green grass and blue sky and is one of the most beloved attractions for families! Often, games for children are organized, and you can even rent a kite for free.

The lighthouse is open to the public and you can climb to the top: on clear days, you can even see the French coast in the distance! With the guided tour, you can learn its history and its important role over the years.

Finally, here at the lighthouse, you can experience another typical activity: sipping tea like a true Englishman! The lighthouse has a Tearoom, ideal for relaxing while the kids play outside!

Near the historic center is Dover Castle, a fortress of majestic proportions that has withstood centuries. It is strategically located on top of a hill, having always played an important defensive role. Here you can enjoy a wonderful view of the entire coast!

The highlights of the castle are the interiors, which clearly evoke the medieval era, and the labyrinthine underground tunnels, constructed during World War II. Another must-see inside the castle is the Great Tower. The building is in close proximity to other important historical attractions: the remains of a lighthouse and the church of St Mary in Castro.

The Church of St Mary in Castro, originally named Church of St Mary in Castro, is a small church located within the Dover Castle complex, at its highest point. From here, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the sea and surroundings!

The church is not easily accessible inside: it is only open during Sunday morning Mass at 11:00 or by participating in a guided tour of the castle, which allows you to admire it for a few minutes.

Right next to the church is the Dubris Lighthouse, or Roman Lighthouse, which is much older than the medieval castle and the church, as it dates back to the Roman era. Despite some evident signs of time, the condition of the lighthouse is still quite good.

The Dover Museum is an institution in the city, located in the historic center. The museum tells the story of the city from the Neolithic to the present day through archaeological finds and artifacts discovered in the area. It's an absolute must-visit to learn more about this ancient city!

The museum spans multiple floors, retracing history from the earliest times, including Roman contamination to the Saxon era. The highlight of the entire museum is undoubtedly the Dover Bronze Age Boat gallery, which houses the remains of the famous Dover boat, one of the oldest boats in the world, dating back to the Bronze Age.

The museum is an excellent attraction for families! During school holidays, especially in summer, Family Days are organized here, with activities and free workshops for children, allowing them to discover while having fun.

The Roman Painted House is a museum like no other! Run by volunteers who want to show visitors how the Roman era influenced the city's history and merged with English civilization. The location is certainly unusual: it is inside a former bunker from the 1960s, built over the remains of a house dating back to 200 A.D.

Inside this museum, you can admire some well-preserved rooms dating back to Roman times. There are 26 panels depicting Bacchus, the god of wine, and perfectly preserved plastered walls from the Roman period.

The Pines Garden is a wonderful green oasis overlooking St Margaret's Bay, located not far from the center of Dover, where the South Foreland Lighthouse is situated. Here you can stroll through six acres of gardens, a fabulous waterfall, and an elegant tearoom, the The Pines Garden Tea Room & Museum.

Additionally, we recommend taking the The Margarets Bay coastal walk, that is the wonderful coastal walk, from which you can admire spectacular scenery! At the end, you will find St Margaret's Beach, a secluded little beach nestled between the rock walls, very picturesque and to visit in the warmer months!

On the same hill as the castle is the Blériot Memorial, dedicated to French aviator Louis Blériot. In 1909, Blériot made a significant accomplishment: he managed to cross the English Channel in a heavy aircraft. The pilot took off from this very point on Sunday, July 25, 1909.

For this reason, Dover decided to create a tribute in memory of Blériot, dedicating this simple yet moving memorial to him. The plaque can be a bit hard to find, but the location itself is truly picturesque, nestled among the woods of Northfall Meadow.

Always accessible, it can be reached on foot from Dover Castle by following Upper Road and crossing through the Northfall Meadow woods - Get directions

Visiting time: 20 min

Being a city by the sea, you absolutely cannot miss Dover's Marine Parade, the city's seafront, easily reachable from any point in the city. Especially to visit at sunset, this is a very relaxing spot frequented by locals who like to stroll or jog. Additionally, along Marine Parade, there are some important memorials, such as the British Legion War Memorial, the Channel Dash Memorial and the Matthew Webb statue.

Walking the entire Marine Parade, you can reach Dover Marina, the city's tourist harbor, while the larger port is accessible only to port authorities, cruise arrivals, or those taking the ferry.

Easily reachable on foot from the center of Dover, as well as from the Roman Painted House (750 m, 9 min) and Dover Museum (450 m, 7 min) - Get directions

Visiting time: 2 hours

Connaught Park is a large city park in the northern part of the city, on the hill near Dover Castle. It dates back to the Victorian era, featuring well-kept gardens and a small lake at its lower part.

Ideal to visit with children to give them a little fun in the many equipped areas with games designed for them, it is also a dog-friendly park, so if you are traveling with your four-legged friend you can bring him here. The park is also equipped with various zones for sports, including tennis and soccer fields, always crowded during the nice season.

If you have more time available, you can visit other attractions in the city and nearby. For example, the Deal Castle (13 km from Dover, 15 min by car, £7.90/€8.70), a fortress with a petal-like shape commissioned by Henry VIII in 1540. Don't miss the Richborough Roman Fort And Amphitheatre (23 km from Dover, 26 min by car, £6.90/€7.60), designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a testament to the Roman history of the area.

Also nearby are several Kent seaside towns, such as Broadstairs, Margate, and Ramsgate (all about 30 km from Dover), the latter known for the Ramsgate Tunnels, a labyrinth of caves and galleries used during the war. Also worth seeing is Leeds Castle (in Maidstone, 67 km away), or the city of Canterbury (20 km away).

Staying in the city, you can discover various viewpoints on the hills around, not only that of Dover Castle. For example, you can enjoy a splendid view from the Western Heights Of Dover (free) or from the Detached Bastion, where you can also see ancient ruins (free).

Dover is usually visited with day trips from London or from Brighton. The best solution is to rely on an organized itinerary. But if you prefer a "do-it-yourself" solution, we suggest you organize the various stops as follows.

Start your day in Dover with a visit to the magnificent Dover Castle, one of the largest and oldest medieval castles in England. Explore its towers, the secret underground passages, and enjoy panoramic views of the English coast. Just a short walk from the castle, visit the historic Church of St Mary in Castro, one of the oldest churches in the region. Continue with a walk along the famous White Cliffs of Dover, where you can admire the spectacular views over the waters of the English Channel. Proceed to the picturesque South Foreland Lighthouse, located on one of the cliffs, where on clear days you can see the French coast. Finally, finish your itinerary with a walk along the Marine Parade and visit the Dover Marina, perfect for enjoying a tranquil view of the harbor and a pleasant stroll along the seafront.

The local cuisine is nothing like what you find in London. The Kent region has a more rustic, hearty tradition. So expect steaks, bacon, even served with oysters! And then desserts, many desserts here in Dover. Naturally, fish and chips are also a must, and for those who love international cuisine, there are still many Italian and ethnic restaurants.

Here are some of the best restaurants in Dover.

See also: What to eat in Dover and where

Dover is not exactly the most sought-after city for those looking for wild nightlife and late-night fun. Here, people tend to dine out, grab a few beers, and perhaps take a stroll along the coast. But just over an hour away is London, so those who want to stay out late can take a train to the capital. Nevertheless, there are some nice spots to spend the evenings with company. Here are the coolest places in Dover.