4 Fun Things To Do In Dover England In A Day

Wondering what to do in Dover England for a day? Although some locals might say there aren’t many things to do in Dover, I say that’s not true. You can easily spend 1-2 days taking in the beauty of this Kent seaside wonder, and you should.

Whether you have only a few hours or a few days, discover for yourself why the Dover locals call The White Cliffs of Dover an 8th wonder of the world.

Between St Margaret’s Bay, Dover Castle, and The White Cliffs of Dover, if this English coast isn’t on your England travel bucket list, then now is the time to add it.

In this post, I share what to do in Dover England in a day, where to stay in Dover for a charming overnight stay close to the beach, and what to pack.

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Table of Contents

4 Fun Things To Do In Dover England With Kids

You can do all 4 of these things in Dover in less than 24 hours, not requiring an overnight stay. However, if you’re up for the charm and want to cut out travel time with the kids from London to Dover or wherever your journey starts, an overnight stay allows you to experience more of the Dover culture.

St Margaret's Bay - Things To Do White Cliffs Of Dover

St Margaret’s Bay in Kent

1 – Visit St Margaret’s Bay

For a view of the White Cliffs from the beach, drive to St Margaret’s Bay. Perfectly secluded and quiet, St Margaret’s Bay is the perfect location for someone seeking beauty a little off the beaten path.

To be honest, despite my research of all the things to do in Dover England for a family night away, St Margaret’s Bay wasn’t initially on my list – but in hindsight, I don’t know why.

Aside from it being a top thing to do in Dover for free, there’s so much to love about St Margaret’s Bay:

Quaint cottages on the winding way
Gorgeous buildings on site
Abandoned boats onshore for nautical photography
Amazing views of the white cliffs from the beach
Views of France across the English Channel
The beach rocks
And totally unexpected – the massive crashing waves!

Let the kids battle against the crashing waves like front row Shamu seats at Sea World (safely, of course). Walk down on the rocks during low tide, or simply hang out on the small sandy beach area for time alone with just you and the sound of crashing waves.

St Margarets Bay

Even with the notorious South Foreland Lighthouse and famous Dover Castle on the list of things to do in Dover, St Margaret’s Bay is what made this White Cliffs weekend trip a big hit with kids.

Where To Park To See St Margaret’s Bay in Dover

St Margarets Bay, Dover CT15 6DX, United Kingdom

There is a car park at the bottom of Bay Hill making this the easiest and most convenient way to see the White Cliffs of Dover. If you want the view without paying the visitor fee or ever stepping foot on a trail, this beachside cliff view is for you. Beware of the time of year because the Bay Hill car park can fill up fast during peak season. Otherwise, parking is a breeze.

2 – Eat At The Kiosk At The Bay Or The Coastguard Pub

If the serenity of the bay is too hard to leave, grab a chair at the kiosk or enjoy lunch at The Coastguard. Or better, do both!

St Margarets Bay Coastguard Pub & car park

Or hike up Bay Hill Road for something even more secluded at Pines Garden & Bay Museum.

3 – Walk Along The White Cliffs Of Dover

First, you’re probably wondering where are the White Cliffs of Dover? I wondered also because I never imagined these 350 feet high white cliffs to be a part of the English coastline. The White Cliffs of Dover face France, but are specifically located at:

Langdon Cliffs, Upper Road, Dover, Kent, CT16 1HJ

The White Cliffs of Dover is a National Trust Site. The car park costs a small fee but is conveniently located to easily explore the White Cliffs and the walking trails with kids.

How To Get To White Cliffs Of Dover Kent

To get to Langdon Cliffs by car, use the CT16 1JH postcode.

To get to Dover from London by train, take London St Pancras to Dover Priory. From the Dover train station, the White Cliffs National Trust site is 2 miles away. You can either walk to the National Trust Visitor Center in 40 minutes by following the brown walking signs or take a taxi.

From the National Trust Visitor Center, choose a walk fit for your energy and family level, or simply the weather forecast. ⛈

White Cliffs of Dover Walk

Choose whichever White Cliffs of Dover walk that is most suitable for you:

1 Hour Walk – White Cliffs View

Take a stroll to the white cliffs viewing point for an Instagram photo and then turn back around after 30 minutes in.

2 Hour Walk – South Foreland Lighthouse

Walk to South Foreland Lighthouse and back. It’s 2 miles round-trip.

3 Hour Walk – South Foreland Lighthouse (2 hours) & Tea (1 hour)

If you visit the White Cliffs of Dover during non-winter months, add time for tea to your schedule.

Walk to the South Foreland Lighthouse, then pop into the vintage Mrs. Knott’s Tea Room for a 1950’s inspired tea break. Complete the experience with a lighthouse tour.

4 Hour Walk – Lighthouse, Fan Bay Deep Shelter & Tea

Add in a tour of Fan Bay Deep Shelter. Fan Bay Deep Shelter is the Second World War underground tunnels. Children under 12 aren’t allowed.

Eat & Shop at the White Cliffs Visitor Centre

If you’re racing against a gloomy weather forecast, the White Cliffs Visitor Centre offers a great place for refuge while you let storms pass. They offer a great cafe and boutique with all sorts of cute Kent or White Cliffs of Dover gifts.

White Cliffs Of Dover Visitor Center

4 – Visit Dover Castle

As you drive towards Dover Castle, you have the opportunity to see its massive nature most beautifully from a distance. Find a safe layby to pull over and take a photo. The most impressionable photos of the entire Dover Castle are taken off-site.

Dover Castle view from Reach Road

Dover Castle Tours

Plan on spending at least 3-4 hours at Dover Castle. In addition to the number of buildings on-site, there are 2 tours to experience:

Start at Operation Dynamo. This is a 45-60 minute tour through the underground tunnels and casement where Ramsey organized the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk.
The Underground Hospital tour is located next to Operation Dynamo, but the queue is shorter and the tour lasts approximately 20 minutes.

Be sure to climb the stairs of Henry II’s Great Tower for 360° views of Dover.

View from Henry II Tower at Dover Castle

If understanding royal lineage is a passion, stop by Arthur’s Hall and Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment Museum to learn about Angevins and Plantagenets. If you don’t have time, pick up a pamphlet that displays the royal family tree in the gift shop for less than £3.

Hop on the free train to go from one end of Dover Castle to another to give children and tired legs a break.

MONEY TIP: Entry to Dover Castle is free if you’re a Barclays Premier member. Show your Barclays Premier card and ID for free entry to the castle. It gets you, another adult, and up to 4 kids in for free.

While Dover Castle is worth visiting regardless, free entry as a Barclays Premier member makes it even more so.

Dover Castle in England

Where To Stay In Dover England

To get the most out of this England coastline gem, plan to arrive the night before so you have plenty of time to experience the best things to do in Dover in 1 day without having to get up too early to make the London to Dover Kent drive. If your schedule allows, a weekend in Dover is even better.

Visiting The White Cliffs of Dover really IS worth it, despite what non-local Brits might say.

In addition to sorting out all the things to do in Dover England in a day, I spent forever researching for a White Cliffs of Dover hotel that could offer a fun place to stay for a family of four that is also near the ocean.

The Pines at White Cliffs Hotel Dover England

If convenience to Dover sightseeing, a charming pub, and a seaside place to stay that feels more like home than a hotel sound amazing to you, this White Cliffs hotel delivers on all 3. 👇🏻

The White Cliffs Hotel

The High Street, Dover, CT15 6AT, United Kingdom

Rooms adorned with coastal decor remind me of summers in Maine, I immediately knew The White Cliffs Hotel was the perfect place for a family night away from London. With a spacious room for four, The Pines, this Dover B&B delivered above expectations.

The White Cliffs Pub and Kitchen offers an atmosphere fit for a surfer taking a break to a wine enthusiast ready for an amazing 3-course meal. From their surfboard pub entry and cozy book nook to a spacious dining area with tables dressed in sea-themed ceramics and wine cave, The White Cliffs Hotel could be a place to spend an entire week.

The White Cliffs Pub + Kitchen

Whether you’re at The White Cliffs Hotel for a night or just popping in for a meal, be sure to look through their unique White Cliffs postcards kept by the main reception.

Pick up this White Cliffs Hotel postcard inclusive of nearby walking trails, cliff paths, beach paths, and things to do near the White Cliffs of Dover. For a local map of what to do in Dover near St Margaret’s Bay, this free postcard is beyond functional.

The White Cliffs Hotel Postcard - Dover Map With Trails

White Cliffs of Dover postcard map

What To Pack For Dover

Planning the White Cliffs for a perfect sunny day is ideal but when in Britain, you just need to go.

Although the weather started off with sun, our day in Dover went through every weather condition possible – even within a matter of minutes.

So even if the weather forecast is sunny, plan for wet and cold. This way you’re prepared for any weather surprise…to include hail!

A jacket that can handle all seasons in a single day. Try this Queen and Meghan Markle favorite: Barbour.
Wellies. Keep a pair in the boot to slip on and off throughout the day. Try this women’s classic: Hunter.
An umbrella or two. If your children aren’t trained on how to properly direct an umbrella, opt for bringing two! Bring an oversized one for extra cover. Try this London umbrella classic.
Warm hat and gloves.
For kids, pack an extra pair of trousers. Nearly every person returning from the lighthouse walk had mud on their pants, up to their knees. If it’s wet then it’s slippery. Our son had to wear pajama bottoms after getting unexpectedly wet at St. Margaret’s Bay!

1 Day At White Cliffs Of Dover Itinerary Map

Final Tips For What To Do In Dover For A Day

Although the White Cliffs can be seen by ferry crossing the English Channel, don’t consider that a check on your England bucket list.

Walk the chalky cliffs, enjoy St Margaret’s Bay, and take a walk through time at Dover Castle. The White Cliffs of Dover offer superb views with spectacular things to do. And with only a 2-hour drive from London to Dover, it makes for a great day trip away for all.

For more things to do near Dover Kent:

Ramsgate is about 40 minutes east along the Kent coast and Broadstairs another 10
Canterbury is 30 minutes via A2

Have you been to Dover and the White Cliffs? Share what to do for a 2-day Dover trip in the comments.