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Going for a Wander on the White Cliffs Of Dover

Published by Angela Jill, Writer

Country: United Kingdom

The Experience

The white cliffs of Dover have been as important in literature as they have been in history. Significant in the Napoleonic wars and World War II, they have represented England's last line of defence in poetry and literature. In Matthew Arnold's poem, Dover Beach, it's the tide ebbing away from the cliffs that have the significance in terms of a loss of faith. The cliffs of Dover also symbolize England itself, for which Rudyard Kipling is so homesick in his poem “the Broken Men.”

Regardless of the symbolic value of the white cliffs of Dover, it happens to be a great place to while away an afternoon. With the Dover castle as a backdrop, you can feel nature take over as you explore the interesting and beautiful cliff formation and be surprised by the wildlife you come across in the process.

Don't be surprised, for example, if you happen upon a herd of free-roaming horses. Although these horses have been imported by wildlife organizations in Dover, the ancestors of these horses, the wild but extinct Tarpans, may have roamed here in prehistoric times. While the famed “bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover” may represent war planes with blue underbellies, there are many bird species as well, that contribute to the sounds you'll hear as you walk.

Of course, the cliffs themselves are the star of the show. Made mostly of chalk, and subtly marbled with flint and quartz, these cliffs are a good example of how something very small, like a single-celled algae, can create something of such grand scale.

These cliffs can be enjoyed from three different angles: from above, walking along the grassy pathways from the visitors centre, from below, walking along the pebbly beach, or from a distance, as you cross the channel, either coming from or going to the continent.

Photos

Map

Puzzle

When to Go to White Cliff Of Dover

The best time of year to visit the white cliffs of Dover is when the weather is at its most tolerable, between June and September. In July, it is also possible to swim the channel, or at least witness someone swim across the channel, which might add to the excitement.

Because the cliffs are made of chalk, a fairly soft substance, the cliff face is eroding at a rate of 1cm per year. This may be a reason to see the cliffs sooner than later, and it's certainly a reason to use caution and not approach too closely to the edge.

Odds n' Ends

This activity is free and can be accessed the most easily by car. The most convenient time to walk along the white cliffs are when the visitors centre is open and you can use the loo, warm up in the cooler months with a coffee, or cool off in the hotter months with a cold beverage. Opening times vary throughout the year, but generally it opens at 11 and closes at 4 or 5 pm.

Want a Guide?

Dover White Cliffs Tours

Recommended Places to Stay

The Norman Guest House
A friendly, family run guesthouse in a convenient location near the train station, which has regular shuttle services to the port. Safe parking and breakfast also available.

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Books and DVDs

White Cliffs of Dover
Audio CD.
England Country Guide Lonely Planet

Elsewhere on the Web

Welcome to Dover, Deal & Sandwich
Welcome to the official tourism website for Dover, Deal & Sandwich - home to the world famous White Cliffs of Dover.
National Trust - The White Cliffs of Dover
There can be no doubt that the White Cliffs of Dover are one of this country's most spectacular natural features.

Media References

Facts About the White Cliffs of Dover (newspaper)
The White Cliffs of Dover reach up to 300 feet in height and stretch for 10 miles to the east and west of the town of Dover.

Language Guides

French , Hindi , Italian , Japanese , Mandarin , Portugese , Turkish , Vietnamese are some of the languages spoken in United Kingdom. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

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