Cinque Ports
by Ash59
Dover was one of the original (five) Cinque ports that supplied shipping to the Navy and provided essential lines of cummunication and defense for this South East corner of England, probably from as far back 1229, when. The Cinque Ports Confederacy was necessary because this area was the closest point in the whole of England to France (about 26 miles -42km) and has been attacked by both shipping and airplanes.
For more information and history on Dover than I can give, click here Dover Castle, although there are other castles worth looking at around the area, Deal and Walmer Castle to name but two.
Visiting nearby France is one...
by fga
Visiting nearby France is one of the pleasures to be enjoyed while staying in White Cliffs Country. Just bring your passport; advance bookings are not normally required except on certain very busy weekends. There is a vast choice of cross channel services on offer including ships, hovercraft and catamaran sailings and the Channel Tunnel (Le Shuttle). Phone our DOVERCALL Information Line for the latest French daytrip bargains, as well as details of hypermarket opening hours and customs regulations.
Information for Ferry Travellers
Daytrips & special offers
Shopping in France 09061 401575
09061 401577
Local Information
Car parking in Dover
Places to visit
Whats On 09061 401570
09061 401572
09061 401573
Weather forecast
Dover and South East
N. France
Marine weather (Channel) 09061 444069
09061 444070
09061 444071
Information by Fax
Car park map (Dover)
Dover accommodation 09061 401202
09061 401203
Folkestone
Folkestone shared...
by Geoff_Wright
Folkestone
Folkestone shared the privileges and duties of Dover until, in 1629, the local population obtained a licence to construct their own port. With the coming of the railway, Folkestone developed both as a cross-channel passenger port, and as a high-class seaside resort. Today Folkestone is at the English terminus of the Channel Tunnel to France. The construction of a tunnel here to France was first proposed in 1856. Due to the threat of French invasion three Martello towers were built east of the town in 1805. These towers are quite basic in their construction, and there are a number of them all along the coast here. Anyone who has entered Portsmouth by ship will have noticed similar towers there, but actually in the sea! Folkestone is, I would say, the 'poor sister' to Dover. Having said that, it is a pretty town, especially around the harbour area. We used to go there most Saturdays and buy cream cakes and sof drinks, sit on the harbour wall at the quayside, and just look at all the activity. Very often we would watch as the cross-channel ferry departed for, or arrive from, Boulogne.
My young son, Jaymes, who was about 4 then, was once allowed to travel in the front of a diesel locomotive of the 'Orient Express' as it crossed the iron and brick bridge over the harbour, and then reversed on the other track to re-connect with its train. It was a very wet day, but he didn't care! The locomotive was named 'City of Truro', which is the name of an historic steam locomotive that is claimed to be the first in the world to achieve a speed in excess of 100 miles an hour. Folkestone has many of the 'usual' high street shops, but many other interesting shops. I remember the shop that made different coloured rock (candy), and you could stand outside and watch them roll the mixture out on large tables before cutting it to size. There are lots of antique and second-hand bookshops here too.
See the White Cliffs of Dover
by B_Caro
See the White Cliffs of Dover We visited Dover Castle and we also payed a visit at Helfire Corner. These underground tunnels are open for visitors and show you the life during WW II. This was the place where Admiral Ramsay and Winston Churchill planned the legendary landing in Dunkerque. This is certainly a Must see Activity. Some of the scenes look really realistic.
Some Interesting Facts....
by Krystynn
Did you know that the Roman Emperor Caligula (in 90 AD) commanded a Lighthouse to be built at Dover, England?
And thanks to him - today, it is the oldest Lighthouse still in existence in England and it can be found in the compounds of Dover Castle.
Here's another interesting fact (if you don't already know): Lighthouse lights have the power of the equivalent of 20 million candles... lit by high pressure xenon lamps!! (Whilst researching on Dover, I came upon this hot tip in my trusty old Encyclopedia).
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White cliffs of dover
Dover shopping street
Beautifull windows
View towards Dover, on top the castle
