Dover: My England's Gateway
We sailed in under the White Cliffs at sunrise – they really do glow. Dover Castle is enormous – Henry II's great tower, Roman lighthouse, WWII underground hospital tunnels where you can still smell the disinfectant. The Secret Wartime Tunnels tour gave us chills – Operation Dynamo planned here, voices echoing exactly like 1940.
We took the train to London (1 hour) or Canterbury (30 min) – we chose Canterbury and wandered the medieval streets to the cathedral where Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170. We had lunch – proper fish & chips at The Old Buttermarket pub under the cathedral's shadow. The pros: real English history without London crowds. The cons: Dover town itself is underwhelming, but the castle and cliffs make up for everything.
Getting Around Dover
Ship docks under the cliffs – shuttle to castle or train station for London/Canterbury.
Positively Worded Word of Warning
The castle involves lots of stairs and tunnels – comfortable shoes make exploring England's history even more rewarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Dover worth it?
A: For the castle and cliffs alone, absolutely.
Q: Best thing?
A: Dover Castle full day or train to Canterbury.
Q: How long for castle?
A: 4–5 hours minimum.
Q: Walk from port?
A: No – shuttle needed.