Dover and Canterbury in a day from a cruise

[CCMP]

Hi, we will be on a cruise docking in Dover on Oct. 8, a Tuesday.  We will be in port from 8 am until 7 pm.  This really means we have from about 830-6 pm.  We would like to see Dover Castle and Canterbury either on our own or with a small group tour.  Dover castle is open from 10 am-5 pm that day.  It looks like we could do this on our own with public transportation, but what would be the best way to do this?  But, we are definitively open to a small group tour if anyone has any recommendations.  So far, I see mainly day trips to and from London or tours that cover other spots.  I did see one tours by locals but it was $1008 dollars (which seems expensive but that was for the group, but it still seemed high), but he was not available on the 8th.   Any recommendations for tour companies or the best way to do on our own? Thank you.

[Bob++]

In short:

 

Take a train to Canterbury - the cathedral is a ten-minute walk from the station.

 

Take a train back to Dover and a taxi to the castle, then a taxi back to the ship. Dover castle has some good places for lunch.

[PhilbeachTraveller]

As Bob++ says, taxis and trains are your best options, although you can take the number 15 bus from Dover to Canterbury (nice drive), which takes just over half an hour. Dover Cruise Terminal is a bit of a trek from town (not sure if there is a shuttle bus) so if you decide to do the Castle first, get a taxi there (or into town, or to the train station). A Tuesday in October shouldn't be overly busy. I usually go to the castle in the morning as there a couple of free tours (Underground Hospital & Operation Dynamo) where you have to queue up for and less people that time, but again, depends on how many of your fellow passengers decide to go there. Castle closes at 5 in October (and can be very windy up there so dress appropriately), as does the Cathedral (last entry 4.30). Cathedral opens at 9 and Castle at 10.

 

Can easily spend a whole day at each place, but as long as you leave the ship early, you'll be able to fit it all in. Canterbury has a very large university, so it'll be full of students and can get very busy, whatever the season, but it's a beautiful place and worth a wander round (again, weather permitting). If you want to eat at the Castle, do that first when you arrive from Canterbury as the main restaurant (NAAFI) closes at 2.30, although there is a coffee shop which stays open a bit later (Tearoom might not be open). English Heritage reckon the average visiting time to the Castle is 4 hour. 

 

Certainly don't need a tour company! Guided tours at the Cathedral are at 10.30, 12.00 and 2.00 and are about 40 minutes but your can get an audio tour if you prefer. There are several 'mini-talks' which are free and well worth attending. 

[CCMP]

6 hours ago, Bob++ said:

In short:

 

Take a train to Canterbury - the cathedral is a ten-minute walk from the station.

 

Take a train back to Dover and a taxi to the castle, then a taxi back to the ship. Dover castle has some good places for lunch.

Bob++, Thank you so much.  That is very helpful. 

[CCMP]

5 hours ago, PhilbeachTraveller said:

As Bob++ says, taxis and trains are your best options, although you can take the number 15 bus from Dover to Canterbury (nice drive), which takes just over half an hour. Dover Cruise Terminal is a bit of a trek from town (not sure if there is a shuttle bus) so if you decide to do the Castle first, get a taxi there (or into town, or to the train station). A Tuesday in October shouldn't be overly busy. I usually go to the castle in the morning as there a couple of free tours (Underground Hospital & Operation Dynamo) where you have to queue up for and less people that time, but again, depends on how many of your fellow passengers decide to go there. Castle closes at 5 in October (and can be very windy up there so dress appropriately), as does the Cathedral (last entry 4.30). Cathedral opens at 9 and Castle at 10.

 

Can easily spend a whole day at each place, but as long as you leave the ship early, you'll be able to fit it all in. Canterbury has a very large university, so it'll be full of students and can get very busy, whatever the season, but it's a beautiful place and worth a wander round (again, weather permitting). If you want to eat at the Castle, do that first when you arrive from Canterbury as the main restaurant (NAAFI) closes at 2.30, although there is a coffee shop which stays open a bit later (Tearoom might not be open). English Heritage reckon the average visiting time to the Castle is 4 hour. 

 

Certainly don't need a tour company! Guided tours at the Cathedral are at 10.30, 12.00 and 2.00 and are about 40 minutes but your can get an audio tour if you prefer. There are several 'mini-talks' which are free and well worth attending. 

Dear Philbeach Traveler,  Thank you so much.  I had looked up that the Castle opens at 10 and closes at 5, but I was not aware the Cathedral closes at 5 also.  But, since it opens at 9, maybe we should try to get to Canterbury first and then head to the Castle later.  We will have to be time efficient!  Thanks.

[Bob++]

I recommend the guided tour at Canterbury Cathedral if you can fit it in. The guides are very knowledgeable and entertaining; well at least ours was.

[CCMP]

Thanks!