From Wikitravel

Dover [1] is a port in East Kent, in the South East of England.

Understand

Dover has been a permanent settlement since at least the time of the Romans, who were the first to record its presence, giving it the name Dubris. It also marked the start of Watling Street, a major Roman road. The Roman lighthouse built on the present-day site of Dover Castle is one of the oldest buildings in Britain.

Today Dover is a major port town facing into the English Channel and, at just 21 miles from the French port of Calais, it is the closest port to continental Europe on mainland Britain. It is most famous for its white chalk cliffs which have been celebrated in song.

Get in

By car

The A2 runs north to Canterbury and on to the M2. The A20 follows the coast south to Folkestone, and the A256 heads north towards Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate.

By train

Fare and timetable information is available from South East Trains [2], tel. 08457 484950.

By boat

Due to its proximity to continental Europe, Dover is one of the busiest cross-Channel ports in the UK, with 18 million passengers passing through its gates every year. Regular ferry services operate from Dover to Calais, Dunkerque and Ostend.

The Ferry between Dover and Calais costs around £12-18 each way if on foot or bicycle, and around £80 for a car, although big discounts are available if booked in advance or with special offers.

Other Routes are present within the UK (and might be cheaper)

Get around

By bus

Stagecoach East Kent [3] are the main bus operator in the Dover area. Maps, Timetables and Fare information are available on their website. Stagecoach run both urban, rural and inter-urban local buses, including regular buses to Deal, Folkestone, Canterbury and further afield.

By foot

Dover is small enough that much of it can reasonably be explored on foot.

The Battle of Britain Memorial

• Dover Castle - known as the "Key to England", the castle has 2,000 years of history contained within its walls, including a Roman lighthouse, a Saxon church and a Norman keep. Below ground a series of casements and tunnels have been dug into the chalk. From these tunnels Operation Dynamo (the Dunkirk evacuation) was planned.

• Battle of Britain Memorial - A very touching memorial dedicated to the men who fought and died in Britain's most desperate hour. Vintage airplanes are also on display.

• Roman Painted House well preserved ruins of a Roman townhouse that includes a hypocaust heating system and mosaic fragments.

• Bronze Age Boat 3,500 year old wooden boat preserved in mud. After its chance discovery it was lifted and placed in a special gallery in Dover Museum.

• Grand Shaft Triple staircase constructed in Napoleonic times to enable quick troop movements between Townwall Street and the abandoned Western Heights fortifications.

• Walk the scenic North Downs Way, a walking trail that follows the low hills that run alongside the coast

Eat

Country pubs nearby

• The New Inn, Canterbury Road, Etchinghill, +44 (0) 1303 862026, [4]. A 16th century coaching inn, country pub and very popular restaurant just a short drive from Dover (junction 12, M20). Fantastic reputation for fine cuisine, open seven days a week for lunches and evening meals. Terrific food, real ale, oak beams & cosy atmosphere.

Indian Cuisine

• Curry Garden Restaurant, 24 High Street, Dover, Kent, +44 (0) 1304 206357. Opening Hours: 12 noon-3PM, 6PM-Midnight, 7 Days A Week including Bank Holidays. Dover's Oldest and Finest Indian Cuisine, situated on the main high street, close to the town hall. A Take Away Menu is available, offering 10% discount on all orders over £15 collected from the premises. Great special take away offer of 1/2 Price Take away, every 2nd Sunday of each month, on cash and collect orders only.Good selection of dishes on the menu.
• Marine court Brewers Fayre (Dover), Marine court, ☎ 0870 990 6516. Located on Dover's Seafront with views of Dover ,The Marine Court Restaurant provides a quality environment for you to enjoy a great meal and modern Pub Food  edit

• The Cricketers Pub, Crabble Avenue (From Dover town centre, go up the one way system to Buckland Brige, turn left at first traffic lights and then first left into Crabble Avenue. The pub is opposite Dover Rugby and Football grounds), ☎ 01304 206396, [5]. Mon- Wed 3-12 Thurs-Sun 12- 1.00PM. The Cricketers is a friendly village pub catering for all ages, situated in the village of River, located opposite the crabble cricket and rugby pitches, and home of Dover football club. The Cricketers has been an important focal point for the community for over 100 years.  edit
• Cinque Ports Arms (the cinq port arms), Clarence Place Western Docks Dover Kent CT17 9DQ England (situated in the heart of dovers western docks being the only pub is very simple to find), ☎ 01304 203907, [6]. Ifyou're looking for great dover pub food, you've come to the right place. Sit back, relax and enjoy a great choice of dover pub sandwiches, dover pub jackets and dover pub snacks - all freshly prepared to order.  edit

• Ramada Hotel, Singledge Rd, Dover, 4 star, 10 minutes from ferry port
• Clare House - 3 star guest house, 167 Folkestone Rd
• Churchill Hotel - 3 star hotel, Dover Waterfront,