White Cliffs of Dover

Hi everyone,

We will be docking in Dover and was wondering if anyone has walked from the cruise port to the White Cliffs of Dover. Google maps says it is a little over 1.5 miles to the White Cliffs of Dover Visitor Center. We are in great shape and don't mind walking (even steep parts).

Also, has anyone done the White Cliffs Boat Tour that leaves from Prince of Wales Pier? If so, how did you like it?

We are trying to decide if the viewing would be better from atop the cliffs or from the sea. I do not think we will be there long enough to be able to do both.

Thanks in advance.

Won't you get a good view of the cliffs from your cruise ship?

http://www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk/Home.aspx

http://www.doverport.co.uk/cruise/

The National Trust website says:

The best way to see the cliffs is to take a walk along the coastal path towards South Foreland Lighthouse. You’ll get a great view of the cliffs and also see the chalk grassland that’s home to so many unusual plants and insects like the chalkhill blue butterfly and the pyramidal orchid.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/white-cliffs-dover/

I don't live too far from there. The white cliffs are not as white as you might think!.

If I were you I would visit Dover Castle. It is a lovely day out and there is lots to see and do. You can't do it in a couple of hours though, so it would depend on your time limits.

(edited for spelling!)

Yes we visit the lighthouse often. There are lovely tea rooms there and it's a very beautiful walk. The view itself from the top of the lighthouse is magnificent.

Hi everyone,

 

We will be docking in Dover and was wondering if anyone has walked from the cruise port to the White Cliffs of Dover. Google maps says it is a little over 1.5 miles to the White Cliffs of Dover Visitor Center. We are in great shape and don't mind walking (even steep parts).

 

Also, has anyone done the White Cliffs Boat Tour that leaves from Prince of Wales Pier? If so, how did you like it?

 

We are trying to decide if the viewing would be better from atop the cliffs or from the sea. I do not think we will be there long enough to be able to do both.

 

Thanks in advance.

Here is the description of our hike:

Day 18 (Wednesday, August 12) Dover, England (Turnaround Day), on EDT+5

The TP docked at the Western Docks (http://www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk/pdf/dover-map.pdf). We left the ship around 7AM and hiked to the White Cliffs Visitor Centre. From the Cruise Terminal, walk out to the A20. At the second roundabout, turn right towards the waterfront. Walk along Waterloo Crescent then Marine Parade towards the Eastern Docks Ferry Terminal. Before you get to the Ferry Terminal, use the pedestrian crossing to cross over to East Cliff, there are some signs if you look hard. Continue on Athol Terrace to the steps that will lead you up to the Visitor Centre. This area is somewhat run-down; obviously more locals than tourists go this way.

The White Cliffs Visitor Centre (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-thewhitecliffsofdover.htm) was not open that early but we had downloaded maps of hikes to the South Foreland Lighthouse (http://www.kent.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/C5C7D63B-875F-4EA5-94F9-0841E09E1E29/0/walksineastkentsouthforeland.pdf or http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/white_cliffs_-_wildlife_walk.pdf).

On the way to the lighthouse, we took the more developed, inland path. At the entrance of the lighthouse property (which also was not yet open when we reached it) there is a marked footpath that leads along the wall on the north side to trails closer to the cliffs. We took those back and found a spot where we could get down to the beach and look up at the cliffs (http://www.discoveringfossils.co.uk/dover_kent_fossils.htm).

To return to town, head back down the same way you came and along East Cliff until it joins the A20. Take the first right at the Leisure Centre (#4 on the map); near the parking lot behind the Leisure Centre are the interesting ruins of an old church and a pub called "The White Horse."

Between the pub and the ruins is an alley way, which leads to steps that will take you straight up to the Dover Castle (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.14571). When you buy your tickets, be sure to ask about the tour of the "Secret Wartime Tunnels" (included in the price of admission). After this 10-mile day we decided we deserved a nice Foster's and a hot shower!

You will get some excellent views of the White Cliffs from your ship as you cr3uise out of Dover. Obviously, you are not right there, but they do look whiter from far away.

http://vid834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europemaster198.mp4

Cheers

Len

You'll get a good view sailing in or out, but not from the berth cos the "proper"white cliffs are a little bit round the corner.

Being lazy, i'd substitute the first part of Carolyn's post with "take a taxi to the castle or visitor centre ;) and walk from there".

No, the cliffs aren't very white, large parts are covered with vegetation.

And they mean more to us Brits than to others cos they're the first sight of home when returning from continental Europe on the ferry.

JB :)

I second JB's in saying to take a cab to the Dover Castle. We stayed at the Churchill B&B and walked up the hill. NEVER again! We did not go to the White Cliffs, but, as others had said, you will get a good view of them sailing away.

Dover is a great little town to walk around, just don't decide to hike up to the castle unless that's something you're used to doing!:eek:

I second JB's in saying to take a cab to the Dover Castle. We stayed at the Churchill B&B and walked up the hill. NEVER again! We did not go to the White Cliffs, but, as others had said, you will get a good view of them sailing away.

 

Dover is a great little town to walk around, just don't decide to hike up to the castle unless that's something you're used to doing!:eek:

If we take a cab up is it easy to walk down and into Dover to walk around? How long do you think the walk would take?

If you google Dover, you'll see maps of the little town. It is very cozy and nice just to sit along the waterfront and stopping in at the little restaurants and shops. Even tho it was chilly and drizzly when we were there, we saw a couple groups of long distance swimmers headed out for a swim. brrrrr

Time wise, it all depends on what you do The town is small. We took our time exploring the area and stopping for a light dinner for about 3 hours. This was not including castle time. That would be another chunk of time up to you.

I think weather will determine what you want to do. The skies can be very iffy.

If we take a cab up is it easy to walk down and into Dover to walk around? How long do you think the walk would take?

Once you get to the top where the castle is there's a lot to see. The grounds are huge and beautiful. You can go in the castle and climb the winding steps and look all around. You might see the King or Queen. We got a picture with the King. You pay an entrance fee when you get to the top, way before the castle and that gets you into the castle and there's a tour of the underground where a hospital for the wounded was. Very interesting.

We only had had over-night there. After the castle we walked around town. It could take you a couple hours or as long as you like. If you had the time I imagine you could go walk along the cliffs. We didn't and were dead tired after our transatlantic flight and the long drive from Heathrow to Dover.

We had beautiful weather for the day that we were there in Dover. I think it was a little over-cast for our sail away the next day. Even though the port is very close you still need a cab. I think it cost about $5. from The Churchill Inn across the street to the port.

Look for a pub to have dinner in. We tried a couple different ones until we found the right fit for us. I can't remember the name, but I'll ask my dh and he might remember. Would love to do the trip all over again and sail by the White Cliffs!

If you google Dover, you'll see maps of the little town. It is very cozy and nice just to sit along the waterfront and stopping in at the little restaurants and shops. Even tho it was chilly and drizzly when we were there, we saw a couple groups of long distance swimmers headed out for a swim. brrrrr

 

Time wise, it all depends on what you do The town is small. We took our time exploring the area and stopping for a light dinner for about 3 hours. This was not including castle time. That would be another chunk of time up to you.

 

I think weather will determine what you want to do. The skies can be very iffy.

That's another thing, swimming the channel! The B&B we stayed in had a group of swimmers there that were swimming the channel the next day. It was nice talking with them at the cozy Inn. It wasn't their first time doing it. Something I'd never even consider doing!