The White Cliffs of Dover are a stretch of dazzling white chalk cliffs, up to about 110 m (350 ft) high, running roughly 13 km along the Strait of Dover in Kent, facing France. Formed from the shells of tiny plankton laid down over 80 million years ago, they are an enduring 'gateway to England' and a wartime symbol of home and defence, immortalised in Vera Lynn's 1942 song. In 2026 the site is cared for by the National Trust: the clifftop trails are open year-round, while the underground Fan Bay Deep Shelter runs seasonally. Plan your visit around the breezy clifftop walk out to South Foreland Lighthouse.
Sweeping clifftop views over the Strait of Dover, with the French coast visible on clear days
South Foreland Lighthouse (about 3.2 km / 2 miles one way from the visitor centre), a Victorian light that once warned ships off the Goodwin Sands
Fan Bay Deep Shelter — WWII tunnels cut 23 m into the chalk (guided tours; inspected by Churchill in 1941)
Chalk-grassland wildlife: peregrine falcons and ravens, around 30 butterfly species including the Adonis blue, and spring orchids
The visitor centre with its café, gift shop and second-hand bookshop
Good to know
SafetyThe cliff edge is soft, erodes fast and is prone to sudden rockfalls and collapses. Stay well back from the edge on marked paths, even for photos.
SeasonFan Bay Deep Shelter usually opens only Fri–Mon from late March to late October, and can vary with weather and staffing — check the latest opening days first.
SeasonThe clifftop is windy and can feel cold even in summer; bring a windproof jacket, a hat and sturdy, non-slip walking shoes.
RulesThis is a National Trust site: parking is paid (free for members), dogs must be kept on a lead near the cliff edge, and drones are restricted.
MannersKeep to the paths to protect the chalk grassland, don't pick wildflowers or orchids, and close gates behind you where ponies or livestock graze.
CautionWatch for pickpockets around Dover town, the station and the ferry port rather than the cliffs, and use licensed taxis. Card and contactless are accepted almost everywhere, so little cash is needed.
Practical info
The nearest station is Dover Priory (about 1 hour by high-speed train from London St Pancras); it's roughly a 40-minute walk to the Langdon Cliffs visitor centre along a main road, so a taxi or car is easier. Walking the clifftops is free, but parking is charged and Fan Bay Deep Shelter tours are ticketed separately, so check current prices and times before you go.
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