I’ve walked the White Cliffs twice – once on a grey February day when I had the path almost to myself, and once on a bright July afternoon when families and hikers crowded the trail. Both times, standing on the clifftop looking out over the English Channel toward France, I understood why this particular stretch of coastline has meant so much to so many people. There’s something about those white chalk faces catching the light, the grass rippling in the wind, and the knowledge that you’re standing on the edge of England that makes the walk feel significant. It’s not a challenging hike, and it’s not remote, but it delivers something that more dramatic landscapes don’t always manage – a genuine sense of place.
The White Cliffs rise up to 110 metres from the English Channel, their chalk face visible from France on clear days. An hour from London by high-speed train, they make an easy and worthwhile day trip from the capital.
Visiting Information
National Trust Visitor Centre
Upper Road, St Margaret’s at Cliffe, Dover CT15 6HP
Parking: Pay and display (free for National Trust members)
Entry: Free to walk the cliffs. Tickets required for:
- South Foreland Lighthouse tower climb
- Fan Bay Deep Shelter tour
Open: Daily year-round. Visitor Centre and café seasonal hours.
Getting There
By train: Dover Priory is the nearest station – 1 hour from London St Pancras on high-speed services. From the station, it’s a 40-minute walk to the cliffs or a short taxi ride.
By car: A2 from London/Canterbury or A20 from Ashford. Follow brown signs to the National Trust Visitor Centre.
By ferry: Dover is a major ferry port with frequent crossings to Calais. The cliffs are a short drive from the ferry terminal.
Walks
Visitor Centre to South Foreland Lighthouse
Distance: 2 miles one way | Time: 55 minutes
The main clifftop walk with spectacular views. Pass Fan Bay Deep Shelter (WWII tunnels), then continue to the Victorian lighthouse. Tea room at the lighthouse.
Shorter Option
Park at the overflow car park (open on busy days) for a 15-minute walk to the lighthouse.
Saxon Shore Way
Long-distance path runs along the clifftops. Can walk sections towards St Margaret’s Bay or towards Dover.
What to See
The Cliffs
The white chalk formed 70-100 million years ago from the shells of tiny marine organisms. Dark bands of flint run horizontally through the chalk. Erosion keeps the cliff face bright white.
On clear days, you can see the French coast across the 32km strait.
South Foreland Lighthouse
Victorian lighthouse that guided ships through the strait from 1843 to 1988. Climb the narrow stairs to the top for panoramic views across to France. This is also where Marconi conducted his first international radio transmission in 1898. The tea room in the grounds does a good scone, and the garden is a pleasant spot to rest after the walk.
Fan Bay Deep Shelter
This is the hidden gem of the area. A network of WWII tunnels dug into the cliff to house soldiers manning the gun battery above. The tunnels were sealed after the war and forgotten until 2014, when volunteers cleared them out. Guided tours take you underground to see this preserved time capsule – canteen, ammunition stores, and graffiti left by bored soldiers. Book ahead, especially in summer; tours sell out.
Dover Castle
Just along the coast, Dover Castle is one of England’s most significant fortresses. The site has been used since the Iron Age. Highlights include:
- WWII tunnels (Operation Dynamo – Dunkirk evacuation headquarters)
- Roman lighthouse (one of the best-preserved in Europe)
- Medieval Great Tower
- Wartime hospital tunnels
Separate English Heritage site – entry fee applies.
Wildlife
The chalk grassland above the cliffs supports:
- Chalkhill blue and Adonis blue butterflies
- Rare orchids
- Kittiwakes, peregrine falcons, and gannets on the cliffs
Tips
- Weather: Clifftops are exposed – bring layers and a windproof jacket
- Best time: Spring/summer for butterflies and wildflowers, any season for views
- Footwear: Good walking shoes for clifftop paths
- Photography: Best light in morning; afternoon sun can wash out the white cliffs
- No BBQs or drones: Protect the chalk grassland
Nearby
St Margaret’s Bay: Village with beach and pub, accessible from the cliff walk.
Deal: Characterful coastal town 8 miles away with pier, castle, and seafront pubs.
Sandwich: Medieval town with old streets and good pubs. Boat trips to see grey seals.
The White Cliffs work best as part of a day out rather than as a destination in themselves. Walk the clifftops, have lunch in St Margaret’s Bay or at the lighthouse tea room, visit the WWII tunnels, and if you have time, see Dover Castle. Or catch the ferry to Calais for lunch – you can see France from here, after all.
