DOVER
The world’s busiest, international, passenger port, Dover is the ‘Gateway to Britain and the rest of Europe’. It is the only head port to remain a major port today. The harbour is thronged with cross-Channel ferries, cargo ships, cruise liners and yachts from the thriving marina and the Dover Watersports Centre.
Dover Castle protecting the town & harbour |
Overlooking them all are the vast, grey walls of Dover Castle, enclosing
the ruins of a Roman lighthouse and a Saxon Church. Known since the height of the Cinque
Ports’ power as the ‘Key to England’, Dover is one of the greatest and most
strategic strongholds in Europe and its massive fortifications have been developed and
used in every phase of England’s history.
|
Dover also has many other attractions to offer visitors: the Roman Painted House; a Museum (containing a unique Bronze Age Boat); the Maison Dieu (containing portraits, arms and armour, the Banner of the Cinque Ports and colours of the Cinque Ports Volunteers); St Mary’s Church; St Edmunds Chapel; Crabble Corn Mill; quality shopping; a splendid sweeping promenade and sheltered beach; walks above the famous White Cliffs; Samphire Hoe (made from Channel Tunnel spoil) and numerous monuments to Bleriot (the first man to fly the Channel), Captain Webb (the first man to swim the Channel) and the Dover Patrol.
See also: www.dovertown.co.uk and www.fortifications.org
