Because of its tactically important position on the Channel, Dover has the nickname the Key to England. On each side of Dover stand the stunning White Cliffs, which are composed of chalk. The Latin word meaning white is albus - in times long ago Britain was named Albion.
Even long ago in Anglo-Saxon Britain Dover was an important center, carefully laid-out with a large church, a mint, a metalworks and a large cemetery.
In the 18th and 19th centuries Dover turned into a garrison town heavily defended against the threat of a French invasion. Gun batteries were constructed along the sea wall and on the Western Heights of the town. During both World Wars Dover was one of the largest military complexes in Britain. Vast numbers of soldiers with their armaments crossed between Dover and France.
Today Dover is one of Britain’s busiest ports, and the numbers of passengers and quantities of cargo transiting the English Channel via Dover keeps on climbing despite competition from Eurotunnel.
The town’s modern cruise terminals have attracted several cruise companies including Holland America, Saga Cruises, Fred Olsen and Princess, all of whom use Dover as a UK turnaround port.
Dover’s cruise port is located on the west section of the harbor, and consists of two dedicated cruise terminal buildings.
Cruise Terminal 1
Cruise Terminal 1 was opened in 1996. The terminal is a stylish restoration of an old Victorian train station, and a large number of unique features have been retained. The terminal offers efficient embark/debark, and has a full range of convenient facilities such as snackbar, seating area, check-in desks, restrooms, customs and telephone kiosks.
Cruise Terminal 2
Increasing demand from the cruise lines led to the building of cruise terminal 2, just along the pier from cruise terminal 1, in 2001. The terminal is a stress-free place to start your holiday offering lots of convenient facilities such as telephone booths, taxi rank, post box, an information desk and luggage handling.
Parking
Cruise parking for both cruise terminals is close to Terminal 1. Porters will help you with your bags. The parking lot has been given the Park Mark for secure parking.
For a calendar of cruises, see Cruises from Dover.
Dover Castle
Dover Castle is often described as the Lock and Key of England on account of its unique strategic position. A considerable section of the castle is 12th century, when Henry II commissioned the building of a square-shaped keep surrounded by strong battlements and fortified towers. Dug into the ground below the castle you’ll find the eerie Secret Wartime Tunnels originally constructed in Napoleonic times. The tunnels were used in World War II as a command center and a hospital.
Roman Painted House
Originally excavated in 1970, the Roman Painted House is now sheltered from the elements by a specially built steel building. Among the house's attractive fresco paintings a common subject is Dionysos, the Roman God of wine and debauchery. From June to September the house is open every day apart from Mondays.
White Cliffs Of Dover
The White Cliffs of Dover are southern England’s most celebrated landscape, and from the clifftops, on a clear day, you can make out mainland Europe. You can walk along Langdon cliffs, the cliffs closest to Dover, to visit South Foreland Lighthouse. The lighthouse is open to visitors in the summer period.
Dover Museum
The highlight of a visit to Dover Museum is a Bronze Age Boat kept on a cradle in a special glass case at the center of the main gallery. The boat was originally made using oak planks held together by yew cordage. It's a ten minute stroll from the cruise terminal to Dover museum in the center of Dover.
St. Margaret’s Bay
Not far east of Dover, a narrow lane zig-zags down a gap in the White Cliffs to reach a small beach fronting St Margaret’s Bay. There’s car park, an ice cream stall, and some benches to rest on. A short distance along the road from the beach is the beautifully laid out Pines garden, which has several attractive sections including an organic kitchen garden, a fountain , colorful flower beds and a grass labyrinth.
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