Topsy's Dover Pages An independent view from a resident!

Welcome to DOVER

Dover is one of the most-visited towns in England but most of the 15 million people who travel to Dover each year are bound for one of the many ferries or catamarans that cross the English Channel (more properly called the Dover Straits) to North-West France. A small number of travellers actually stop in the town and enjoy the 'Dover hospitality' that is on offer. There is information on these pages for people travelling into Dover by road/rail/cycle and for those wanting to take a ferry to France.

Drivers will see very little of Dover itself as they enter on either the A20 from the South or the A2 from the North-West. In both cases, the roads arrive at the Harbour, where they join. The whole of Dover's town stretches inland from the Harbour and continues along three valleys into the Kent countryside.

Dover is at one end of the North Downs and has several ranges of hills, two of which have fortresses dating from the medieval and Roman eras, as well as more modern (19th Century) times. Behind the town centre are the former barracks, Dover's past commitments to the country have always included more than can be seen over the famous White Cliffs.

Modern-day Dover has a mixed economy but is still very-heavily dependant on the ferry industry.

The history of Dover is best covered in the many books and videos on the subject (available, of course, at the town's Museum!). What follows is a whistle-stop tour of the town:

In and around the town

• The famous harbour is the busiest passenger port in the world and is constantly working, 24 hours a day. At the eastern side of the harbour (the Eastern Docks) is the main passenger terminal with seven ferry berths. Companies operating out of the Eastern Docks are P & O Ferries (external link) and Sea France(external link). In the Western Docks is the former Hoverspeed terminal, currently unused.  Also in the Western Docks is the Cruise Liner terminal and the entrance to the marina and inner harbours (external link). The Harbour as a whole is managed and operated by the Dover Harbour Board (external link), who are located in the grand Regency Terrace on the sea-front. For further information about the ferry services, links to the ferry company web sites see the Dover Ferries page.
• The Western Docks are undergoing renovation and repair at present, whilst maintaining many of the original features. A large commercial centre (Factory Shopping) is  open in the Western Docks. Constant improvements are being made to the marina facilities in the Wellington Dock and tidal basin.
• High on the White Cliffs above the town and Eastern Docks is Dover Castle(external link), with it's ancient keep and dungeons. Excavations under the castle include the famed WWII command centre and the (until recently) top-secret regional seat of government in the event of war. During the summer there are public displays or exhibitions most weekends. The Castle can be reached by foot from the town (especially if you enjoy a 'climb') but it's easier to take a bus (Service 15 runs from the Pencester Road Bus Station (towards Deal)) or a taxi. The Castle is open from 10am each day but closing time varies with the season. You can contact the castle on (01304) 211067.  Further information and leaflets are also available from the tourist office (see below).
• Above the Western Docks on the Western Heights (external link) is the Citadel, a Napoleonic fort, very little of which is safe to enter, although many public paths circle the fort and surrounding area. A unique triple spiral staircase leads from Snargate Street (opposite the Hoverport entrance off the A20) up through the cliffs and gives a good view of the harbour when you make it to the top !
• The history of Dover is also explained in the Dover Museum (external link) (to be found in the Market Square) Telephone (01304) 201066). The famous Bronze Age Boat  (dug up from Townwall St) is preserved here.
  
• While you are at the museum, this building also houses the Roundhouse Theatre in the former Dover Discovery centre which backs onto York Street. Blackfish Academy(external link) are the group in residence with a program of events throughout 2007.
  
• Near the top of York Street, the Roman Painted House (external link) is a remarkably intact building dating to the 3rd century and is believed to have been a hotel or lodging house (although other suggestions have been made) and it is the oldest building of its type in Britain.
• Dover's Town Hall(external link), the Maison Dieu, dates back to the 12th Century and has been modified very slowly over the centuries! In the 19th Century the Town Hall housed the town's court and cells.

Dover Tourist Information Centre is on (01304) 205108 and is to be found alongside the town hall (Maison Dieu) in Dover's Biggin Street to the north of the shopping area. You can find leaflets on all the places mentioned here, plus all the walks around Dover and you can book accommodation. They have a booking service for local theatres as well - and they sell ferry tickets. You can order various guides in advance from their web site .

• There are a number of walks of varying distances around the town. The best place to start these is in the Market Square and the various walking leaflets can be found inside the Museum entrance or from the Tourist Information Centre.
• On the path of the River Dour that passes through Dover is Crabble Corn Mill(external link), a fully restored 19th century water-mill. You can buy stone ground flour at the mill.
• A little further outside the town in the hamlet of Kearsney are Russell Gardens and Kearsney Abbey. The Abbey itself is a ruin but the grounds are the largest park in the area, ideal for doing nothing. The Gardens are a perfect example of a Victorian floral display. Through both the Gardens and the Abbey you will find the River Dour that ultimately makes it's way through the town and into the Harbour. Kearsney has its own railway station on the Canterbury and Victoria route out of Dover.
• Further out of town near the A2 at Whitfield is Dover Transport Musem(external link). The Transport Museum hosts a large number of vehicles from across all ages, many of which are still road-worthy!
• Try some of Dover's Pub Hospitality.
• Recently added is a resturant/eating-house directory of places to eat in and around Dover and a directory of useful local contacts.
• Maps available at present are Dover Town Centre and a wider view of Dover.
  

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These pages © 1997-2007 Paul Turvey