Destination guides > Europe > England > Southeast England > Kent > Dover
Dover
Thousands of travellers pass through this busy ferry port en route between London and France, seeing little more than the ferry terminal and a glimpse of the 12th century castle from a bus window. With the exception of the imposing castle, Dover isn't a particularly attractive town although it does offer quite a bit to see and it is a good base for exploring the surrounding region.
Practical information
Dover Tourist Information Centre
The Old Town Gaol, Biggin, Dover
Tel (01304) 205108
Website www.doveruk.com
Open Jun-Aug 9am-5.30pm daily
Coming & going
Most people come to Dover to make transport connections and the city is so well established as a transport hub that most travellers don't even see the town centre.
There are two train stations in Dover: Dover Priory is the closest station to the town centre and Dover Western Docks connects with some ferries. Both stations have frequent trains to Canterbury and London.
National Express and Stagecoach buses stop at Pencester Road between Maison Dieu Road and York Street in the town centre and National Express buses also continue right up to the Eastern Docks to meet ferries to France. The most useful of the Stagecoach bus routes is number 113, which goes to Canterbury via Sandwich and Deal.
There are two main ferry docks in Dover: Eastern and Western Docks. Although the Western Docks have a train station with good transport connections, most ferries depart from the Eastern Docks, which has frequent ferry departures to Calais, France and Oostend, Belgium.
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Dover Castle
This imposing castle is easily Dover's star attraction. The castle has played an important role in England's defence from its construction in 1066 right up to the Second World War when the Norman tunnels beneath the castle was the nerve centre for the evacuation of British and French troops from Dunkirk.
Bus 90, 91, 111
Tel (01304) 211067
Website www.english-heritage.org.uk
Admission £10
Open Jan Mon & Thu-Sun 10am-4pm; Feb-Mar 10am-4pm daily; Apr-Jun 10am-6pm daily; Jul-Aug 9.30am-6.30pm daily; Sep 10am-6pm daily; Oct 10am-5pm daily; Nov-Dec Mon & Thu-Sun 10am-4pm
Dover Museum
Dover Museum has exhibits covering the prehistory and history of Dover and the surrounding area including displays on the Bronze Age, artefacts from Dover's Roman sites, the Norman Conquest and Dover's role in World War II.
Market Square, Dover
Tel (01304) 201066
Website www.dovermuseum.co.uk
Admission £3
Open 1 Jan-4 Apr Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm; 5 Apr-6 Sep Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm, Sun noon-5pm; 7 Sep-31 Dec Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm
Follow us: |
