It’s not every day you get to see something that is beautiful in nature and at the same time has become so historic and iconic for the country you are visiting.
Such is the case though for the White Cliffs of Dover England, UK.
And if you are as lucky as we were, your visit will be on a sunny, clear day where you will be able to see the fabulous surrounding scenery and attractions that make this place so special.
Let me share with you the key things you should see, experience, and appreciate if you are planning a trip to include this part of the British Isles.
Where are the White Cliffs of Dover?
The cliffs are situated on both sides of the port town of Dover stretching a total of 13 kms (8 mi) within the county of Kent in the southeast of England.
Rising to a height of 110 meters (350 feet) above the English coastline, the White Cliffs of Dover face the Strait of Dover. The Strait of Dover is the narrowest part of the English Channel which separates the UK from the European continent by some 33 km (20 mi). On a clear day, the cliffs can be easily seen with the naked eye from the French coastline.
Getting there is very easy with public transport from within the UK or via ferry from Calais, France. There are also day tours available from London to visit the cliffs and sights in this region.
What makes the Dover Cliffs White?
Believe it or not, the cliff face here is made of chalk!
As explained by the National Trust website:
“The cliffs are made from chalk, a soft white, very finely grained pure limestone, and are commonly 300-400m deep. The chalk layers built up gradually over millions of years.
They’re formed from the skeletal remains of minute planktonic green algae that lived floating in the upper levels of the ocean. When the algae died, their remains sank to the bottom of the ocean and combined with the remains of other creatures to form the chalk that shapes the cliffs today.
Over millions of years, the seabed became exposed and is now above sea level. The resulting edge of chalk is the iconic White Cliffs of Dover.”
Why are these cliffs considered so iconic?
Dover has been a gateway from Europe to the UK for such a long time, with boats ferrying people across the shortest part of the English Channel from Calais, France. The sight of the White Cliffs as you approach Dover can be likened to seeing the Statue of Liberty when arriving in the port city of New York. The cliffs have historically come to symbolize entry to the UK by boat.
Dover’s white cliffs were brought to national prominence in recent history during World War II when France was occupied by the Nazis and the Battle of Britain began. Hitler and his generals visited Calais and viewed Dover across the English Channel, while the English were very aware of how close the enemy at that time was and that invasion was felt to be imminent.
The fear of this situation was felt most at this closest point to occupied Europe and the White Cliffs of Dover became a symbol for the safety of the island fortress for the Allied pilots of the day.
Vera Lynn the white cliffs of Dover
During World War II (in 1941), the song White Cliffs of Dover was released and became one of the most popular during the war.
Sung by Vera Lynn, Lyrics to the White Cliffs of Dover song are:
There’ll be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover
Tomorrow, just you wait and see.
There’ll be love and laughter and peace ever after
Tomorrow, when the world is free.
The shepherd will tend his sheep, the valley will bloom again,
And Johnny will go to sleep in his own little room again.
This was a truly iconic song of the time (as was the song “We’ll Meet Again…”), and I found this song published on YouTube (with well over 1.8M views!) which you can see below:
The White Cliffs of Dover movie
There was also a movie produced by Metro Goldwyn Mayer in 1944. The drama/romance was inspired by the poem The White Cliffs by Alice Duer Miller.
Shot in Black & White and running for just over 2 hours the movie tells the story of an American woman with a British husband fighting to keep her family together through two world wars.
I haven’t seen the movie but may watch it one day if I get the opportunity just out of interest.
Other significant mentions in history
The earliest known recordings of the White Cliffs of Dover go all the way back to the year 52BC when Julius Ceasar arrived near Dover with two legions of soldiers, looking for a suitable landing spot for a Roman invasion.
William Shakespeare also made mention of the cliffs within his play King Lear.
Whoever has come across these cliffs have undoubtedly have been impressed by the sight.
Arriving from Europe today
Millions of people arrive in the UK each year through the port of Dover and they all have a wonderful view of the magnificence of the cliffs. Looking down from the cliffs you can easily look out to the Dover strait and watch the arriving and departing ferries to/from Calais, France.
It was also interesting to read Lonely Planet’s guide to England where it talks about the spectacular white cliffs in the Dover region of Kent. However, it also describes Dover’s ‘derelict postwar architecture and shabby town centre as a sad introduction to England’
While I can’t say that I spent any real time in the town of Dover, I would not have described it that way. Rather as a visitor, I try to appreciate the history, beauty, and character of a place with a ‘glass half full’ perspective. From what I briefly saw, the town looked pleasant enough and more than fine to grab supplies to head toward the main attractions nearby.
Our experience visiting the White Cliffs of Dover
To be able to experience this natural marvel alongside my fiancé as well as one of my very best and oldest friends from school and her family was the absolute icing on the cake. My wonderful friend Di, her husband Richard, and daughter Grace actually live in England and invited James and I to stay with them while we were in the neighborhood visiting Europe.
Spending time catching up with them and enjoying their wonderful hospitality while driving around to some truly lovely spots made for a time I will never forget.
We drove from their home in West Sussex down to Kent and out to the coast at Dover. Richard knew exactly where the carpark was for visitors to the cliffs and we started walking from there.
Hiking along the top of the cliffs was a lovely experience. As you can imagine there was a very nice sea breeze and you were surrounded by lush greenery and wildflowers, looking out to the blue strait and birds flying above the beach and rocks below.
As we looked out to the water from the natural green and floral carpet, we could see France and the European Continent in the distance and the ferries traveling to and from Calais. It was a beautiful and peaceful sight.
The White Cliffs looked really white and are not something you are normally used to seeing in nature. We enjoyed the ambiance and took the opportunity to leisurely take in the scene as we wandered about and of course, took some photographs in the process.
While you are here…
While visiting the White Cliffs of Dover there are a couple of other key sites that have proven extremely popular to domestic and international tourists alike. We likewise went exploring the area and I share below the main things we found of interest.
The waterfront
On a clear day, the Dover Strait section of the English Channel between the UK and France is a beautiful sight in itself. Dover Harbour looks to be well protected from any rough seas and it was quite windy and glorious on the summer day we were there.
Many people clearly loved being by or near the water and the backdrop of the cliffs together with the perfect weather made it a day to enjoy and remember.
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Dover Castle
A major tourist drawcard is undoubtedly Dover Castle. Actually, it is Kent’s biggest tourist attraction.
This site was established prior to William the Conqueror in 1066 and taken over by him after the Battle of Hastings when he made improvements, as did Henry II later. Throughout the ages, the castle became more expansive and fortified to the point where many regard Dover Castle as the largest castle in England today. The only other castle in contention for the title of the largest is Windsor Castle.
The entire site is wrapped in one thick ‘curtain wall’ built in the 12th century. There are two entrances on the Eastern side. The first being Canon’s gateway, an entrance for cars; and the second being Constable’s gateway, which is mainly a pedestrian access point.
In the middle of the entire site is The Great Tower, which is surrounded by the Inner Bailey wall. This is basically a “wall within a wall”, and therefore the second line of defense if the outer curtain wall was passed.
At over 25 m in height, The Great Tower extends over three levels – which include a banqueting hall, kitchen, store-room, and bedroom – and has been beautifully done up in vibrant colors to evoke the times and life of King Henry II.
You can also climb the spiral staircases and ascend to the roof of the castle, where you can enjoy the lovely view across the entire grounds. Up there you’ll also see the green hills of Dover, the Dover cliffs, the choppy sea… and of course France on clear days.
Dover Tunnels
Still within the site of Dover Castle, you will find numerous tunnels which were initially built during medieval times and expanded further during World War II.
These are the Secret Wartime Tunnels, spread across three layers in the cliff descending from ground level of 700 meters above the sea to a depth of 50 meters above sea level. The middle level, codenamed ‘Casemate’ was built from 1797 and extended in 1941; the highest level, ‘Annex’, was built in 1941, and the lowest level, ‘Dumpy’ was built in 1942.
Aside from housing a military outpost in the south of England, it was from these tunnels that Vice Admiral Ramsay coordinated the 1940 rescue of the army from Dunkirk, evacuating more than 338,000 troops from France.
Tours of the tunnels are offered from within the castle grounds, where you are taken down in small groups and shown throughout the complex. Although not allowed to take photos, the entire tunnels were really fascinating and educational. It was so interesting to see how the military operated their forces here, the various command rooms, hospital facilities, and lookouts on to Dover Strait. They certainly have preserved this facility very well and the tour guides were extremely knowledgeable.
Hastings
Having spent much of the day enjoying the White Cliffs of Dover and Dover Castle, we drove further down the English coastline. Crossing out of Kent and entering East Sussex and down to the famous coastal town of Hastings.
Renown as the place where William the Conqueror triumphed at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, Hastings today is a charming seaside town.
The actual site of the battle is some 6 miles away from the town and is able to be visited along with the ruins of the Norman castle built back at that time.
For us, we enjoyed having a look at the character of this lovely place and decided that it would be a great spot to finish the day. What better way to do this than to join our wonderful friends and hosts, having dinner in a traditional English pub where we could order their fish and chips?
Conclusion
The White Cliffs of Dover and the surrounding area are timeless in their beauty and worth seeing first hand. To be able to learn the connections this area has had to history gives it yet another dimension. This makes you realize how special this has been to past generations and you feel privileged to witness and appreciate the significance of this place even more.
Have you visited the White Cliffs of Dover and surrounding areas? Would this be a ‘must see’ on your UK travels? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
This article is part of the Camping for Women’s Natural Beauty Travel Series.
Outdoor adventure enthusiast that loves nature having travelled locations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.
Passionate Travel Writer, Blogger and Influencer.
I was also privileged to be able to visit the Cliffs of Dover on our 2019 trip to the UK. Others had told me I might be disappointed, but I was NOT. I loved the views from these iconic cliffs, and was surprised at how beautiful the water was — nearly turquoise. My husband and I also explored Dover Castle and were very impressed with its size and prominence along the cliffs. In my opinion this is a must-see!
I totally agree with you Tami and I wonder why people thought you might be disappointed. Perhaps because the weather may not be great at the time you visited? Not sure. I’m so pleased you found it to be enjoyable and worthwhile as we did. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your experience.
We have visited the White cliffs of Dover many years ago. Such a beautiful place and somewhere worth visit. Great photos by the way x
So pleased this has brought back great memories for you, Melanie. Thank you for reading and leaving such a nice comment.
I’ve been to the UK and never heard of the White Cliffs of Dover. It’s fascinating that the cliffs are chalk. I never would have thought that’s how they got the color. I can definitely see myself going to visit the Dover Tunnels as well. I’m a huge fan of military history, so this would be a perfect place for me! It is definitely time for a return visit to the UK!
Based on what you have said, I’m sure you would love it Erica! A great reason to return to the UK and explore more. Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts here.
My husband and I have been talking about making a trip over to that part of the world when travel opens back up once again. That being said, we’ve been putting together a list of things that we just ‘have to’ see. We are both big military history buffs, spending time learning about everything about those eras in history and the White Cliffs of Dover have been on our list thanks to the song. I don’t think a trip would feel complete without getting to see them firsthand at least once.
Thank you so much Britt. If you are military history buffs, the White Cliffs of Dover would certainly need to be on your list and i’m sure you would just love Dover Castle as well as the tunnels there. A lot of history and information on display for your to enjoy. I hope you both have a wonderful trip.
Oh no, I haven’t been here before! I would love to visit these White chalk cliffs! I can see how they have become so iconic. What great history this place has.
Thanks Ntensible. Appreciate you reading and taking the time to leave a lovely comment.
The White Cliffs of Dover looks stunning. I have been to the UK only once and I hope to go there for a longer period of time. Unfortunately, I did not get to White Cliffs of Dover which I will surely visit the next time I am there. Wow looking at the French coast from there, that is definitely interesting.
It certainly is, Raksha. Hopefully you will be able to travel back to the UK one day and visit to see all this first-hand. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Now I understand why White Cliffs of Dover is such an iconic destination. The Castle would be my first pick as love learning about their history and heritage. The Dover Harbour would be where I would love to spend a lot of time. The sights there are majestic.
Thanks very much, Subhashish. So pleased you liked this post.
Both the Dover Castle and White Cliffs have been on my bucket list for some time! I have wanted to visit the cliffs, but I didn’t know much about the history. I found it very interesting how they were formed from the algae skeletal remains. Sitting on the cliffs and watching the ferries go to and from Calais sounds very relaxing and the view looks stunning!
It really is and interesting and a quite lovely location, Melissa, and well worth the trip in my opinion. Thank you very much for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Wow wow! This is the most thorough blog post on the Dover Cliffs I have ever seen!
Interesting that it is made up of limestone so old!
Thank you very much, Lynn. I enjoy researching to include as much depth that would be of interest to readers and those looking to plan their own itineraries. So pleased you liked this.
I love how significant and natural the place is. It’s always nice to learn about history behind some places. It looks like a peaceful and serene place to hike along.
You are so right, Seriah. It was a real pleasure to spend time here.
Love, love, love this! I’ve only visited the white cliffs of Dover from afar via boat. Thank you for the detailed information. I look forward to traveling there one day and seeing for myself.
Thank you so much, Autumn. I’m so happy this brought back nice memories of you seeing the cliffs, even from a distance. Doing a hike along the top, looking out to the water is a lovely experience also.
While I would certainly like to see the white cliffs, you have given me more things to see. For one, I am going to look for the movie. And then if I get a chance to see Dover, the castle is on my list. And the unmissable seems to be the tunnel tour.
It’s always great when you find more than you expect around a place of natural beauty like this, Ambica. The castle and tunnels were certainly quite fascinating.
I want to visit the White Cliffs of Dover. It looks amazing. I hope I can plan something. Maybe after the pandemic? Great photos!
Thanks for your nice comment, Emman. Hope you get to plan a trip when its possible for you.
To be honest if it has water then I am in. Also if it has a historical story behind it… you have it all here.
I know what you mean, Elise. I love water and a great story also. Thanks so much for reading.
IT is my pleasure.
This is amazing, I haven’t been to this area before and would love to visit one day. The cliffs look like a beautiful place!
Thanks, Frank. So many people agree. Hope you will plan your trip soon.
I love all the natural beauty of the area coupled with all the historical significance of the buildings and architecture. What an amazing place!
That’s for sure, Elizabeth! No wonder more and more people are visiting (COVID excepted of course) to explore for themselves.
I’ve only seen the White Cliffs of Dover from the ferry, but I’d love to go back and hike along the top as you did. Dover Castle looks amazing, too. Exploring the secret wartime tunnels sounds like a must-do as well!
Thanks so much, Carrie. It is indeed a lovely area generally to explore.
WOW! Such a bucket list place to visit! I would LOVE to!
Happy you liked this, Neely. Hope you will be able to plan your trip soon.
This looks like such a beautiful place to visit! I will add it to my travel bucket list!
That’s great, Patricia. I hope you end up enjoying it just as much as we did.
That is absolutely stunning! These views are so amazing. It’s no wonder a song was written about them.
I agree, Kuntala. Especially during the time when the song was written, you can just imagine the mood and inspiration for it.
Wow! Those cliffs are really beautiful! I loved reading this post. I have learned so much about the place and a little bit of history too. You’re so lucky to have the chance to visit. I hope someday I can be there too!
I found the history and science of the cliffs and surrounding attractions quite fascinating, Eileen. It made writing this post interesting and I hope you will likewise visit when you get the chance.
The white cliffs look absolutely stunning. You’ve been to so many amazing sites in a single trip. Dover Castle alone packs quite an adventure.
I totally agree there were some beautiful and interesting sites on this trip, Ivan. It is always important not to rush through as you really want to do justice and get full enjoyment from places you visit.
I remember getting the ferry back to the UK from Calais and seeing those cliffs rise up as we got closer to home.. It really is quite iconic. Thank you for posting about it.
My pleasure, Laura. I would love to see the white cliffs from the water as well when we next find ourselves in the region.
Now that seems like a place I would want to visit! It’s beautiful.
Thanks very much, Heather.
Woah! quite an interesting post on White Cliffs of Dover. I have never heard of it . It is wonderful how the chalk layers must have built up gradually over millions of years.
Yes, I had no idea it had formed over such a long time, Pooja. This makes the place interesting as well as beautiful.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard the song White Cliffs of Dover released during WW II. Seems like I’ve been living under a rock! (Pun unintended haha) England does have some really beautiful landscapes and it’s a pity that I didn’t have more than a week when I visited a decade ago but it does give me an excuse to return. Or maybe take a ferry from France next time I’m there!
Sounds like a good idea to me, Medha. Any excuse to visit places of natural beauty like this is always worthwhile. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.
I have never been here but this place looks really so beautiful. All the clicks are beautiful
Thank you Khushboo. Appreciate you reading and leaving your comment.
What a neat place to add to my list. Can’t believe that they are actually made of chalk!!
That comes as a total surprise to so many, Christa. It makes it all the more interesting.
The story one creates as they prepare to and do hike these cliffs is wonderful. It must be an amazing experience to see these cliffs.
We definitely felt that way, Nkem. Something of such beauty with a nice story/history as well.
I really want to go back to the UK and explore the country more. I have never heard of the White Cliffs of Dover but it seems like a beautiful place with a lot of history. I can see why people go there. Also, Dover Castle looks amazing! We are big “castle lovers” and would love to see this one too. Definitely something to put on our travel list.
Well if you are Castle lovers Paula, I’m sure Dover would be a big attraction for you, as it is for many visitors to this area. Being regarded by many as the largest in the UK and still in great condition, it would be something I’m sure would interest you.
the place is absolutely iconic! I am so happy you visited it and enjoyed yourself. I wish was there as well!
Thanks, Lyosha. I’m happy you liked this post.
I have to admit it’s no wonder, I loved each post you make: it’s either beautiful or helpful or both (which is the most common)
Thank you for such a lovely comment, Lyosha. You have really made my day!
That was quite an interesting post on White Cliffs of Dover! And the trivia mentioned about the song and the movie just inspires me to visit this historic gem of a place. Thank you so much for sharing!
Totally my pleasure, Puloma. I am so happy you enjoyed the post and the historic connections to this scenic place. Thank you for reading and leaving such a lovely comment.
Oh my… it is a dream of mine to see these cliffs in person! So cool! I bet the wind there is crazy!
The wind certainly can be, Michael. It would be a good idea to always have something warm with you just in case. Worth being there to see the cliffs.
I’m going to visit England next year so thank you for introducing me to the white cliffs of Dover. I can already imagine how beautiful it would be when taking a ferry and having a breathtaking view of the cliffs. Visiting Dover castle and Dover tunnels sounds like a great idea too. I also love to end the trip by a visit to a Fish and chip bar.
That sounds fabulous, Ha. I really hope you have a wonderful trip and take advantage of all this region has to offer.
We certainly were excited when we got to see the iconic White Cliffs of Dover. We too did not spend any time in the town and only went past the castle. But I would like to go back one day and explore more of the cliffs along this coast with a long hike. Looks like the castle is worth some time as well.
I think you would agree that it is such a lovely hike if you decide to go back, Linda. So beautiful and the breeze coming off the water was fabulous as well (in summer that is!). The castle was also fun to explore as well.
I have only seen the White Cliffs of Dover from a distance during an organized tour. So interesting that they’re formed from the skeletal remains of minute planktonic green algae. It’s too bad Lonely Planet spoke poorly of Dover but I agree that it is a great spot to get situated and there are so many amazing things to explore in and around Kent.
I couldn’t have said it better, Sherianne. Kent as a whole is a really lovely English county.
This is the first time I’ve heard of a landscape made of chalk! Attractions like these just prove the magnificence of nature over us. They can form on their own and provide us with a livelihood and a source of leisure and happiness. I can just imagine the awe you’ve had with the view from the tower!
That certainly was a lovely view taking in the entire surroundings, Trisha. I found the chalk inclusion to be really interesting as well as scenic. It really makes for a lovely experience.
I learned to appreciate the beauty of cliffs when I started living here in Australia. It is amazing that the White Cliffs of Dover have chalk layers, hence getting its famous name. It looks like one of the cliffs here in Australia, but the cliffs are in color red (coz of the presence of iron).
I would love to visit Dover one day and enjoy this beautiful scene.
Thanks so much for sharing that, Blair. I’m sure the cliffs you are referring to would be equally beautiful in a different way. As you would love to visit Dover, I would love to see the red cliffs as well. I will have to research that a bit when looking to travel in Australia.
I’ve never heard of the White Cliffs of Dover and I’ve been to the UK several times. I never realised that you could see the French coastline from Dover either. I guess it’s time to book a road trip to the UK and include Scotland on the list.
That sounds like a great idea to me, Alvern! Scotland has been a favorite within the UK for many people and including the White Cliffs of Dover in your itinerary would be quite a road trip for sure.
What a wonderful informative post about the white cliffs of Dover! I still remember the first time I went to the UK in the 1990s. I came by ferry and my first sight of Britain were the white cliffs. On later visits I went by night bus and finally by plane but your post made me want to visit the white clilffs again. Also Hastings has been on my list for a long time. I did not realize that it is so close to Dover.
I am so happy this post connected with you and brought back lovely memories, Natascha. So many people associate the cliffs with arrival in the UK. I was also surprised how (relatively) close it is to hastings, easily able to reach by car. We were also lucky we were with our friends as Richard knew how to get there without any issues.
The Cliffs of Dover look like an amazing spot to visit, and the weather looks like it was lovely when you were visiting. Such a great place to hike and good to know other nearby places of interest as well.
It is such a pleasant hike along the cliffs, Luna. There were quite a few people exploring and enjoying the area when we were there (summer).
When my kids are older, we are definitely going on a trip to Europe and I will remember this post! I didn’t realize these cliffs were so iconic but it makes sense. Looks so lovely and the kids would love the castle and the tunnels!
The cliffs are quite special, Rachel, and I’m sure your kids would just love Dover Castle and the Tunnels. Something really nice to look forward to when they are older.
Wow, the castle there looks amazing! And the view is so stunning!! What a lovely spot in the UK.
I couldn’t agree more, Chastity. A magic location for sure.
This is such an amazing hike to go on with views of France!
That’s for sure, Danielle! The natural beauty, as well as the lovely breeze from the Dover Strait, were equally enjoyable.
Your pictures prove that this is a beautiful place to visit. It’s even more wonderful that you made more memories with your fiance.
Thank you so much, Carmen. I truly love exploring and sharing places of natural beauty and to do this with James alongside makes it even more special.
These photos are beautiful. I am adding the area around Dover to my bucket list to visit someday.
That’s lovely to hear, Samantha. Thank you and I hope you have as great a time as we did.
What a fabulous trip you had. the photos say it all – everyone looks so happy! I hadn’t heard of the White Cliffs of Dover before, thank you so much for sharing.
It is really my pleasure, Becky. Thank you so much for reading and leaving such a nice comment.
Wow! This is a great place to travel and visit. Do they have campgrounds close to the cliffs?
The UK has so many campsites all over the country, Sam. While we were staying with our close friends this time, you can be sure that there certainly would be campsites within close proximity of here. Best to search this online when you are ready to book and I’m sure you will be spoilt for choice.
I want to go to the UK but I wasn’t sure where exactly. I definitely want to see the white cliffs of Dover!
The British Isles offers some wonderful spots in nature for sure, Monica. I’m so pleased you liked this post on the White Cliffs of Dover and I look forward to sharing other sights we enjoyed seeing in the UK.
That’s a wonderful place to go to. I love it! God is soo good creating these wonders of nature for us to all enjoy. Hope i can go there someday.
It certainly does not compare to anything man-made, Jennifer! Things found in the natural world like this are truly unbeatable!
WOW it is so stunning. What a special trip to an amazing place.
We loved our time here, Laura. It really is a lovely and special place. Thank you for reading and your comment.
Amazing place and great to know about the details of the white cliffs of Dover. It is wonderful how the chalk layers must have built up gradually over millions of years.
That fact is quite amazing indeed, Nisha. Makes us realize how ‘temporary’ we are compared to such long natural history like this!