Dover Beach is a picturesque stretch of pebbly beach sheltered by the walls of a harbor and tucked in between the White Cliffs of Dover. The beach and its surrounding harbors are a hive of activity year-round with tourists and locals enjoying the fresh sea air. Stroll along the esplanade and take in the view of Dover Castle up on the cliffs, ferries coming and going on the channel and, on a clear day, the distant shoreline of France.
Explore the beach from a sailboat, sea kayak or paddle boat conveniently available for rent on the beachfront. Kids and adults can enjoy a designated sheltered area for watersports or discover deeper waters with a guided speedboat tour. Cafés, restaurants and shops line the oceanfront. Pack a picnic and head for the cliffs or sit back in a café with a pot of English breakfast tea and see if you can spot the seals in the harbor.
Nature trails and cycle routes meander along the River Dour to Dover Beach Promenade and up to the White Cliffs. Follow the path and head in either direction to experience a landscape that historically has symbolized Great Britain, with its White Cliffs visible from continental Europe.
Dover Beach is a 15-minute walk from the town center and local bus stations. Ample parking as well as public toilets and a boat ramp can be found on the oceanfront. The area is busiest in the summertime, when the weather is ideal for taking a dip in the English Channel and eating fish and chips on the shore. Dover Beach is also a relaxing winter destination where you can warm up with a tumbler of rum in one of the waterfront restaurants and look out to the twinkling lights of ferries and lighthouses at sea.
