Visiting the White Cliffs of Dover: a perfect day trip from London

If you are looking for a great day trip from London and see something really spectacular and iconically British, we recommend visiting the White Cliffs of Dover.

It doesn’t take long to get there but the stunning natural beauty will definitely make you feel like you’ve escaped to another place. With its mix of unique views and rich history, the White Cliffs of Dover are a popular and easy day trip from London for good reason.

Whether you are a serious hiker or just a casual stroller, this famous coastal walk - considered one of the best in the UK - is worth experiencing.

A video highlighting our trip to the White Cliffs of Dover.

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What and where are the White Cliffs of Dover?

Britain is the home to several sets of “white cliffs” that are all stunning to see, but Dover’s cliffs are the most well-known.

The white appearance is due to the cliffs being made of chalk - the remains of the skeletons of tiny crustaceans that died millions of years ago and piled up over time. Natural erosion keeps the white hue looking fresh like the meticulously brushed teeth of a welcoming smile.

And welcoming, it is. The striking cliffs are a metaphor for “home” that strikes a particular chord in the hearts of the British people. Because crossing at Dover was the primary route to the continent before the advent of air travel, the imposing white line of chalk cliffs was the first or last sight of Britain for travelers, an emotional sight indeed.

Perhaps this is best summed up by the 1942 wartime classic song "(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover" sung by Dame Vera Lynn (who incidentally personally supported the National Trust’s 2017 campaign to acquire and restore the area). Because the cliffs face toward continental Europe, across the narrowest part of the English Channel (about 20 miles, or 32 km), they historically stand guard against invasion, and during WWII they were emblematic of the defiance of Great Britain and its Allies at a time when victory seemed almost impossible.

The White Cliffs of Dover are located on the Kent seacoast, along the beautiful turquoise waters of the English Channel. The towering chalk cliffs are 50ft (110m) high and 16 miles in length, stretching approximately 8 miles either side of the town of Dover.

You are so close to France your phone might pick up French cellular signals.

Directly across the Channel is the coast of France, and on a clear day you can absolutely see it. We were fortunate to have perfect, clear weather so we did get a shimmering glimpse of France across the Channel, and even got a “Welcome to France” message on our phones. (If you have a SIM card that doesn’t cover France you may want to switch off roaming.)

The closest spot in England to France is South Foreland, across the Strait of Dover, approximately 20 miles away.

It was a very last-minute decision for us to visit the White Cliffs of Dover, as our travel plans had changed abruptly. I’m very glad we did! It was quite easy to do and a very memorable day.

Planning your trip to the White Cliffs of Dover

Getting to the White Cliffs of Dover from London by Train

Our train at **Kings Cross/St. Pancras** in London

We decided to make the trip from London to the White Cliffs of Dover by train, as we were vacationing and didn’t want to rent a car. One of the things we find very appealing about London is the amount of good available day trips outside the city via train.

We booked our tickets through Trainline - an online service that we often use when booking train trips in Europe. We find the interface very easy to use and compare multiple options.

Be sure to check the arrival times, because there is a London to Dover fast train that takes 1 hour 5 minutes and there is a London to Dover slower train that takes 2 hours.

If you are going to be taking a few day trips from London you might want to read our post: Traveling by train in Britain: a guide for beginners

We think paying a little extra for the faster train is worth it to get there almost an hour sooner; that’s saving 2 hours round-trip! We paid about $50 USD apiece for the round-trip ticket, booked on the day of our trip. If you can book in advance, you can get a cheaper price. It’s also best to avoid commuting times if going during the work week.

The trains to Dover leave from Kings Cross/St. Pancras to Dover Priory Station with South Eastern Railway.

The St. Pancras train station is very modern with plenty of places to grab breakfast or a coffee if you get there early.

It was exciting to see chalk cliffs come into view as we approached Dover Priory Station, the terminus of the line in the small town of Dover.

Arriving by train at **Dover Priory Station.**

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Note - This blog post contains affiliate links. This means that if we are recommending a product, activity, or hotel, we might be receiving a small commission if you buy or book from these links. This is done at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we have personally used or have thoroughly researched.

The train station is close to the cliff walk, but not that close. It is still a 40-minute walk to get to what you came for. Since this walk is mostly uphill and the town really isn’t much to see, we recommend you save your steps for the real event and take a taxi from Dover Priory Station to the Visitor’s Center at the White Cliffs of Dover. Especially if you also want to visit Dover Castle on the same day, (more about the Castle below), it doesn’t make sense to invest 40 minutes both ways just transitioning between the two.

There were plenty of taxis coming and going at the train station, and it only cost us £10 (with tip) for the ten-minute ride to the Visitors’ Center. The local flavor of talking to the cab driver is always a bit of fun, and our driver didn’t disappoint!

The taxi ride was just about the only time we needed cash on us during our stay in London. There is an ATM right outside Dover Priory Station, so it was no problem. For the return trip, we called for a taxi, but it is also possible to pick up one as visitors are being dropped off and drivers are looking for another fare.

The walking path along the White Cliffs of Dover.

Getting to the White Cliffs of Dover from London by Car

If you do choose to drive to the White Cliffs of Dover by car, it will take about two hours from London, via the M2 and A2, or M20.

There is limited but available parking at the Visitor’s Center, and on busier days an overflow area near the South Foreland Lighthouse may be opened.

There is a parking fee of £5 for cars and £7 for motorhomes. No overnight parking is allowed. The car park is open from 7 am to 7 pm.

Organized tours of the White Cliffs of Dover

Although the White Cliffs of Dover is easy to manage as a self-guided tour, some day-trippers may prefer an organized tour. There are many available and some include other sites in the area.

You can find some popular tours of the White Cliffs of Dover from Viator here.

Note - This blog post contains affiliate links. This means that if we are recommending a product, activity, or hotel, we might be receiving a small commission if you buy or book from these links. This is done at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we have personally used or have thoroughly researched.

The scenic walk of the White Cliffs of Dover

Once we arrived at the cliffs via a short taxi ride, we were deposited at the National Trust Visitor's Center. It’s a cute spot with a good amount of outdoor seating with a lovely view of the Port of Dover below. Homemade cakes, light lunches, snacks, coffee, and afternoon tea are among the offerings at the cafe and there is a gift shop as well.

**White Cliffs of Dover Visitor Center**

Restrooms are located here at the Visitor Center, so you might want to make use before you begin your hike.

As we began our walk along the scenic trail on a beautiful sunny Tuesday, we got our first views of the English Channel and it was truly breathtaking. The busy port below was active with colossal ferries filling up with lines of freight trucks that all looked impossibly small, like toys in the great bath of the Channel.

The vital Port of Dover has played a key role in the area since Roman times, connecting England with the rest of continental Europe for generations, and it is still thriving. Though Dover is mostly dedicated to shipping and ferries, it is also a busy passenger port.

Looking at the **Port of Dover** from the walking path.

Famous today for the Eurostar and ferry to Calais, Dover is the UK's second busiest cruise port with up to 200,000 passengers passing through annually.

This was really the first time I’ve actually laid eyes on the English Channel for myself (though I’ve traveled beneath it on the Eurostar) and it was much different than I had thought. I wasn’t expecting beautiful azure water that looked almost as placid as the Caribbean Sea. Of course, this is deceiving - the English Channel is famously rough and subject to quick weather changes. The D-Day landings almost didn’t happen due to high winds during the crossing. Knowing this history, I guess I was expecting an angry black sea and not the serenity of blue laid out before me.

You don’t have to walk too far before you see the first cliff rising up ahead of you. And it is stunning! In fact, for those unable to manage long hikes, or if your time is limited, you can still get a lot out of just a short walk along the trail. Remember to look behind you for the majestic Dover Castle looming over the view back towards town.

We chose South Foreland Lighthouse as our destination to hike to, where we would have tea (more on that later!) and turn around for our return hike. It’s 2 miles to the lighthouse and without stopping, takes about an hour. But serious hikers can go further to St. Margaret’s Bay beach (3 miles from Visitor Center) or even further - if you are a little bit crazy!

But we found that the trip to the Lighthouse and back is more than enough to really enjoy the experience.

With many stops for exploring, photo-taking, and our refreshing afternoon tea, we spent about four hours roundtrip on the trail, but obviously, you could do it in half the time without stopping. Realistically, we highly recommend stopping to really enjoy it!

The main pathway traverses the top of the cliffs, while small turn-offs and side lanes access lower areas for picture taking or just admiring. We met a nice group of folks from Canterbury who we exchanged picture-taking and chatted for awhile while exploring down closer to the edge. (During my entire time in London, I found the locals to be very happy to talk to Americans.)

While there are white beaches below at the base of the cliff, (and apparently a couple of famous shipwrecks) the areas along the top are actually a grassland habitat. This makes it an excellent environment for birds, butterflies, and an abundance of colorful wildflowers and even some rare orchids. Spring and summer are the best time for wildflowers.

Interestingly, The National Trust, which maintains the site, has started a grazing program involving Exmoor ponies and Dexter cattle to help to clear faster-growing invasive plants, to help less vigorous native plants to survive. This is a classic role in the ecosystem for herd animals. We didn’t see any ponies but we did see some cattle lolling in the grass, making for a classic English country vista. Gates are in places along some of the trail passages, assumingly to keep the animals safe.

The Fan Bay Deep Shelter at the White Cliffs of Dover

One of the more interesting curiosities of the Cliffs is the Fan Bay Deep Shelter, the remains of a World War II-era series of tunnels burrowed into the cliffs. They are billed as “lost tunnels”, which I found rather puzzling - how could they be “lost”? I mean, it’s fairly well-known that the Allies had defenses here.

What I found out was that during an effort in the 1970s to remove some of the WWII hardware that had fallen into disrepair and was becoming dangerous, the original gun batteries and shelter entrances were dismantled and removed. But the tunnels themselves - used by the military personnel who manned the gun batteries as bomb-safe accommodations during the war - were too costly and difficult to remove, so they were left in place and the entrances sealed up. This engineering marvel that was completed in only 100 days in 1940 and housed 150+ men was soon forgotten about and wasn’t rediscovered until 2013!

The entrance to **Fan Bay Deep Shelter.**

At that point, volunteer groups rallied to restore and reopen the tunnels to visitors, and revitalized the interest in the events that took place there. They cleared staircases and discovered the original plant room and generator room which was excavated and re-roofed. They also found and restored “sound mirrors” - curved dishes cut directly into chalk to concentrate sound - that were used to detect enemy aircraft as early as World War I. The shelter was opened to tours in 2015.

You need a ticket to tour the tunnels, costing £10 and it has limited openings. It is a guided tour and you will be asked to wear a protective helmet with a flashlight attached as it is quite dark. So perhaps not for the claustrophobic or those who don’t like dark places. There are also steep stairs and potentially slippery surfaces. The tunnels are kept as authentically as possible, to give the visitor a real feel of what life was like for the troops stationed here.

For tickets and opening times, visit the website of the National Trust .

**Fan Bay Deep Shelter** runs deep underground.

Fan Bay Deep Shelter was not open at the time we visited, which is a pity as I would have loved to see it, being a bit of a WWII buff. We did at least walk up to it and took a look through the fence and it looked to me like an unassuming archeological site in progress - which I guess it is! Fascinating - to me anyway!

Fan Bay Deep Shelter is located 1.2 miles from the car park, so you can reach it within half an hour if you walk without stopping.

South Foreland Lighthouse at the White Cliffs of Dover

As mentioned, we chose the South Foreland Lighthouse as our destination and turnaround point, two miles into the trail. This pretty, white Victorian lighthouse guided sailors through the Strait of Dover for more than a hundred years until it stopped operating in 1988. It was the first lighthouse to use an electric light.

Limited guided tours are available, and the balcony is said to offer stunning views of the Straits of Dover, the Goodwin Sands, the French coast and the Kentish countryside. This wasn’t open when we arrived, unfortunately, but the grounds around the lighthouse were lovely. Particularly when the wildflowers are in bloom, the picturesque landscape creates a nice atmosphere to take a break.

The walking path leads directly to **South Foreland Lighthouse.**

We totally enjoyed our visit to Mrs. Knott’s Tea Room, located inside the former Keeper’s cottage. A great place for some tasty refreshments in a retro environment that is completely charming! There were plenty of outdoor tables where people were carrying out their tea trays to enjoy the sunshine, but we wanted to check out what it was like inside.

Period music was playing on an old-fashioned radiogram when we walked in. (In British English, a radiogram is a piece of furniture that combines a radio and record player, or “gramophone”; in American English, we would have called this a console.) We picked out some tasty baked goodies and selected our teas, which were served in delightfully mismatched china pots and tea cups, and found ourselves a spot in one of the two comfortable and delightfully decorated tea rooms.

The furniture, wallpaper and decorations are all straight out of the 1940s and it was such a fun experience taking that trip back in time while having our refreshments. I took a particular fancy to the poppy motif wallpaper. And the treats were delicious! This is what afternoon tea is all about. Casual comfort and hospitality. And darn good tea. We thoroughly enjoyed this stop!

Mrs. Knott’s Tea Room is open 11:00am - 5:00pm most days. And the adjacent bathrooms are surprisingly nice!

Visiting Dover Castle

The other main attraction in Dover is the medieval castle that towers over the port to the west of the famous cliffs. Dover Castle is the largest castle in England and has many interesting quirks and features, starting with its imposing, cube-shaped Great Tower.

The importance of the Port of Dover has resulted in it being guarded and fortified for centuries, and the current castle dates back to the 1100s. In the 13th century, King John ordered the building of underground tunnels connected to sally ports in order to surprise attacking troops. These tunnels extend to the very face of the White Cliffs and have played many military roles over time.

View of **Dover Castle** from the walking path.

Most interesting to me, during WWII, it served as a command center for the evacuation of British and Allied troops from Dunkirk, also known as Operation Dynamo.

And during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, some of the tunnels were equipped to serve as an emergency government headquarters. These 'nuclear' tunnels were decommissioned in the 1980”s but are now preserved for their historic value. You can visit the tunnels by guided tour.

The war tunnels aren’t the only interesting feature of Dover Castle. There is also a Roman Lighthouse on the premises dating back to the second century (!!!), as well as an underground WWII hospital and St. Mary in Castro Church, which stands at the highest point of Dover Castle and served as the church for the garrison of Dover Castle. It’s mostly Victorian in decor, though the church is actually much, much older.

With so much to see at the Castle, the obvious question is, can you visit Dover Castle and the White Cliffs of Dover on the same day?
Well, technically, yes. The two attractions are close enough together to visit on the same day. But realistically, I think it would be hard to really explore and appreciate both in one day.

You would have to start your day pretty early to see both. We spent four hours exploring the cliffs alone, and never made it to the Castle, which closed at 5 pm. Granted, you could stop less and move faster than we did, but honestly, you would be rushing your way through both experiences. I’ve seen it suggested that the Castle needs four hours itself, in order to see everything. And let’s not dismiss the fact that it can be pretty exhausting doing all that walking.

That being said, if you are really set on attempting both in one day, we might suggest doing the cliffs first, arriving early. The car park opens at 7 am. If you are taking the train there, definitely skip the walk through town and take a taxi to the Visitor’s Center as suggested above. That way, you can walk the cliffs a bit, have some refreshments at Mrs.Knott’s Tearoom, then head to Dover Caste, without wasting a lot of time and extra walking.

White Cliffs of Dover FAQs:

Is there a charge to visit the White Cliffs of Dover?

No, there is no admission charge to walk the White Cliffs of Dover. However, there is a charge to park your vehicle or to tour the Fan Bay Deep Shelter.

What is the best time to visit the white cliffs of Dover?

The White Cliffs of Dover are open year-round, but the best time to see this natural landmark is in the warmer weather of spring and summer. May is a great time as the wildflowers are blooming. Also, you will want the best chance of getting a glimpse of coastal France, so a warm, clear day is ideal.

What is the best way to get to the White Cliffs of Dover?

You can drive or take a train to the White Cliffs of Dover. We recommend taking the faster train from Kings Cross/St. Pancras to Dover Priory Station with South Eastern Railway, then taxiing up to the Cliffs.

What should I bring on a day trip to the White Cliffs of Dover?

As with any outdoor activity, bring comfortable walking shoes, some water, a hat, and depending on the weather, a light layer or rain jacket (you are in England after all!) You might need a little bit of cash for a taxi, though snacks can be bought with a credit card at the Visitor’s Center Cafe or at Mrs. Knott’s Tearoom at South Foreland Lighthouse. Binoculars if you are a birder are always a good idea as this is an active migration spot. Most importantly, bring your camera and your curiosity!

Are the trails at the White Cliffs of Dover open at night?

Yes, you can walk the trails at night but the parking lot closes at 7 pm and the visitor’s center closes at 5 pm.

Can I park at the White Cliffs of Dover overnight?

No, there is no overnight parking allowed at the White Cliffs of Dover.

Why are the cliffs of Dover white?

The White Cliffs of Dover are white because they are made of chalk.

What is the Historical significance of the White Cliffs of Dover?

Historically, the Port of Dover has always been important for trade and defense because it is located at the narrowest part of the English Channel, providing a crossing between Britain and continental Europe. The high cliffs are strategically important to protect the coast and the port, particularly during wartime.

Previous to air travel, the famous White Cliffs were the first and last sight of Britain for travelers, making them an emotional touchpoint and symbol of home

And finally…

Do bluebirds really fly over the white cliffs of Dover?

Well, not really. The bluebirds in the famous wartime anthem "(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover" are simply used metaphorically. Bluebirds often represent happiness and well-being in popular culture, and in 1940, Britons were wistfully looking forward to a time when the war would finally end. But bluebirds are a North American bird - there aren’t any bluebirds native to the UK.

The song was actually written by American artists, who probably just weren’t aware that there were no bluebirds in England. Or perhaps they mistook the swallows and house martins, which migrate across the English Channel twice a year, for the bluebirds Americans are familiar with. The White Cliffs of Dover are an important rest stop for many migrating birds. But “there’ll be swallows flying over the White Cliffs of Dover” just doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, as lively and endearing as swallows may be!

Most likely, the writers of the song just didn’t know any better. So we can “chalk it up” to artistic license. (See what I did there?)

On a personal note, 25 years ago, we gifted tiny glass bluebirds to our wedding guests as a token of shared joy., And here we were, at our silver anniversary, on these beautiful cliffs, and I had this famous song about bluebirds running through my head. I love when life offers you these little moments of synchronicity. :)

Wishing all our readers a flyover from the Bluebird of Happiness, no matter where you live or where your travels may take you!

For more information on the White Cliffs of Dover, visit the National Trust.

If you are looking for another great day trip from London check out our blog post: Taking a day trip to Cambridge from London