Introducing Dover
The town of Dover sits at the outlet of the River Dour, which gives the town its name, on the southern coastline of Kent in the UK. The town is just 34km away from the French town of Calais, the two are separated by the Strait of Dover.
Thanks to this proximity to France, Dover has become a thriving cross-Channel ferry port. The town also boasts its famous White Cliffs, which form several miles of the region’s stunning shoreline.
Dover was established as early as the Bronze Age. A waterlogged boat found under the town was dated to 1500BC confirmed that the natural harbor was in use even in the times predating the history books.
In the 16th century Dover profited from a huge upturn in fortune when successive monarchs saw the important tactical position of Dover, guarding the Channel. Both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I paid for costly enlargements and renovations to the port and its defences.
In the Second World War Dover again showed its strategic position as a military center. In 1940, over 200000 of the 338000 soldiers rescued from Dunkirk passed through Dover.
Today Dover is Britain’s busiest port, and the numbers of passengers and amount of cargo transiting the Channel via Dover continues to increase in spite of keen competition from the Channel Tunnel.
The town’s cruise port is now the second biggest UK cruise port and the eight biggest European cruise port servicing over 180000 cruise passengers each year.
Touring Dover
Dover Castle
Dover Castle is one of the biggest castles in England. It stands solidly on top of the White Cliffs, overlooking the important port below. Your sightseeing ticklist includes the Guest Hall, the battlements, the Outer Bailey, the Great Tower, the King’s Brewery, the Guest Chamber, the medieval tunnels and the King’s Hall.
Roman Painted House
Constructed around AD 200 the Roman Painted house formed part of a welcoming hotel for travelers crossing the Channel. The house boasts extensive well preserved wall paintings and an intricate hypocaust system.
White Cliffs Of Dover
Rising to over 320ft high in sections, the White Cliffs of Dover offer a superb view over the busy shipping lanes of the English Channel. The National Trust visitor information center, off Upper Road, is a great place for a visit as it has a coffee shop offering homemade scones and cakes.
St. Margaret’s Bay
4 miles along the shoreline east of Dover, sits charming St Margaret’s Bay, which boasts a lovely pebble beach, covered at high tide. There’s a good sized car park, an ice cream kiosk, and picnic tables.
Cruise Ideas
Cruises from Dover go to a wide variety of exciting destinations. Witness the majestic scenery of the mighty Norwegian Fjords voted as ‘The Europe’s Most Beautiful Voyage’. Head east into the Baltic to see magnificent St Petersburg with its marvelous Hermitage art museum and splendid Peter and Paul Fortress. Pick a cruise to the warm Mediterranean and sightsee around superb cities like Dubrovnik, Barcelona, Venice and Athens. Or go south to the wonderful Canary Islands, and find subtropical greenery and beautiful beaches.
For a full calendar of cruises, see cruises from Dover.
Dover Cruise Port
Cruise Terminal 1
In 1996 the former Marine Railway Station at the Western docks was converted into cruise terminal 1. Lots of the original features were kept and they give a unique atmosphere of an earlier era. There’s plenty of seating, along with toilets, luggage porters, a cafe, a baby room and an information desk.
Cruise Terminal 2
Growing demand from the cruise ship companies led to the construction of cruise terminal 2, just further along from cruise terminal 1, in 2000. The terminal is an enjoyable place to start your vacation offering a full range of convenient facilities including an information desk, cafeteria, seating area, taxi rank and post box.
Parking
Car parking for both cruise terminals is adjacent to Terminal 1. You can book your car parking spot on the internet at the Port Of Dover website, or by telephoning the Port Of Dover Information Office.
For the port authority website see Port Of Dover.
Transport To The Port
By Road
From the M2/A2
It’s straightforward to drive along the M2/A2 road into Dover then follow the signs for the Cruise Terminals.
From the M20/A20
Just before Dover there’s a roundabout with an exit signed for Western Docks and Cruise Terminals. Follow this.
By Train
There are two trains each hour running from London St Pancras mainline stations to Dover Priory train station. Allow around 70 to 80 minutes for the trip.
On arriving at Dover station there are taxis which can transfer you to the cruise port, about 10 minutes away (but can be longer in heavy traffic).