Visit White Cliffs Country - Dover, Deal and Sandwich

19/06/2024

There’s another bumper weekend of fantastic events coming up – head to Dover, Deal and Sandwich for a memorable time for all the family!

🗓 Saturday and Sunday 🗓
🐷 Meet Peppa Pig at Picnic in the Park at Betteshanger Country Park, Deal
🏰 Western Heights North Entrance – a ‘once a year’ opportunity to see inside the gun rooms. Tours run every 30 minutes between 10am and 3pm on both days (pre-book).

🗓 Saturday 🗓
🍎 The Market Dover – 10am-3pm in the Market Square
🎤 Saturday Sessions – Kelly Richardson: live music in Dover Market Square – 12-2pm
🍲 Kent Downs GeoAdventure – Wild Cooking at Pines Garden at 10.30am or 1.30pm (pre-book).
🌜 Midsummer late-night shopping in Sandwich – 5.30-8pm
🎤 Kick Up The 80s at The Booking Hall, Dover – the best rock and pop covers from the 1980s, 7pm
🎸 The Bootleg Shadows at the Astor Theatre – a tribute to The Shadows, 7.30pm

🗓 Sunday 🗓
🏎 Historics on the Hill at Lydden Hill Race Course – the best in historic track racing, 10.30am-4pm
🎺 Band of HM Royal Marines Memoral Concert, Deal Memorial Bandstand on Walmer Green 2pm
🚘 Rootes Group Cars at Dover Transport Museum, 3.30pm

See the What’s On pages on our website for more information about these and other upcoming events.

13/06/2024

The fabulous free summer concert series, held each Sunday afternoon at Deal Memorial Bandstand on Walmer Green, includes the annual memorial concert and rededication service by the Bands of HM Royal Marines. Join the crowds on Sunday 23 June at 3pm for this important yearly event.

It is just over a week until The Bands of HM Royal Marines returns to Deal Memorial Bandstand for the annual Memorial Concert and Rededication Service on Sunday 23 June at 3pm

The programme is ready and we are looking forward to welcoming you to Walmer Green - we are expecting another superb day 🥁🎺

12/06/2024

Spend extra-special quality time with your dad this Father's Day on Sunday (16 June) - the Grand Shaft in Dover will be open from 10.30am-4pm for visitors to explore, as will Ripple Windmill (pictured) from 12-4pm, and the Invicta Concert Band will be playing at Deal Memorial Bandstand on Walmer Green at 2.30pm. See https://www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk/whats-on for details.

You'll also find a wealth of other fantastic things to do and places to visit on our website, and listings of all the great places to eat and drink in the district.
If you haven't already, it's not too late to book something...

11/06/2024

This week is and it's an ideal time of year to explore White Cliffs Country on two wheels. There are many places to cycle in the district including off-road trails, cycle paths past castles and along the seafront and more challenging long-distance routes. Bring your own bikes or hire them while you're here and get around happy in the knowledge that your transport is good for you and good for the planet.
Click below to find out more about cycling here.

There are great routes and paths to cycle in White Cliffs Country - Dover, Deal and Sandwich area - with something to suit all ages and abilities.

10/06/2024

A thrilling behind-the-scenes peek at Dover’s Maison Dieu ahead of its big reveal to the public in early 2025.

Built around 1203, saints and sinners, mayors and monarchs have all been through this incredible building over its 800-year history and key moments in English history have been played out within its walls. It originally served as a Medieval hospital for pilgrims from all over Europe arriving in England en route to the shrine of St Thomas Becket in Canterbury. At the dissolution under Henry VIII it was requisitioned and converted into a victualling yard serving the naval fleet. Finally, in the 19th century it was renovated and expanded to provide a courthouse, gaol, seat of government and concert hall. A remarkable expression of gothic revival with its magnificent decorative ceiling by William Burges is the building that greets people today.
Find out more at https://www.maisondieudover.org.uk/reawakening-a-gothic-fantasy

06/06/2024

Many congratulations to the hardworking team at Battle of Britain Memorial who were recognised at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, receiving bronze in the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category. If you haven't been, do visit.

Amazing news! We won bronze in the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category at last night’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 🏆️

Read the full story here 🔗: https://tinyurl.com/3vh859xd

06/06/2024

Whether you prefer to eat your fish and chips from paper, balanced on your lap in the great outdoors, or on a plate with a knife and fork in the cosy confines of a fish restaurant, you'll find the freshest and the best in Dover, Deal and Sandwich.
It's today, 6 June, and we're showcasing where to find delicious local fish and chips in our area - https://www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk/eat-drink/fantastic-fish-and-chips

Photo of Sea View Restaurant and Takeaway on Beach Street in Deal by Chris Mansfield.

05/06/2024

On this day 80 years ago, Allied troops set sail from Portsmouth bound for the beaches of Normandy. Dover had played its part in the intricate planning for D-Day and the significance of this immense event has not been forgotten. Tomorrow, on 6 June, commemorative events are taking place across the district to honour the brave personnel who gave their lives for freedom and peace.
Click the link to find out more: https://www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk/blog/d-day-80-in-white-cliffs-country

04/06/2024

It's all eyes on Sandwich this weekend for the annual celebration of all things French. Much-loved family-friendly Le Weekend is held each June in the idyllic market town and hosts visiting market stalls from Normandy, music and dancing throughout the medieval streets, living history demos and activities on The Quay (Le Weekend Medieval) Le Tour de Sandwich sportif (managed by British Cycling) and much more.
To find out more, head to our What's On pages and start making plans for Le Weekend.

31/05/2024

Swooping into the weekend!

Thank you to Steven Collis at Allfields Photography for the fab photo of gulls on Deal beach.💙

30/05/2024

Read all about D-Day 80 events, ideas for Father's Day, , cycle routes, weddings and much more in the June issue of The Chalkboard, the visitor e-newsletter from White Cliffs Country. Click the link below to read and subscribe to receive a free monthly dose of coastal cheer direct to your inbox.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDOVER/bulletins/39f9486

30/05/2024

Sandwich Guildhall Museum, located in The Guildhall in the centre of town with an adjacent car park, is an absolute gem - free to enter and full of astonishing artefacts and displays of the history of this beautiful small town which was once by the sea. Do visit.

27/05/2024

Planning your big day and looking for the ideal location? Imagine celebrating your marriage in a stately mansion, an ancient priory, a rustic barn, a wildflower meadow, a garden nestled into the White Cliffs, a luxury hotel, a Napoleonic fort...

Whatever your style, White Cliffs Country has something that will make your heart sing. Click the link below and find the perfect place to celebrate your love story! ❤️



The Billiards Room, Kearsney Abbey (photo courtesy of Dover Media Company)

Find the places that match your wedding vision in White Cliffs Country - Dover, Deal and Sandwich and surrounding areas.

22/05/2024

Spring Bank Holiday is almost here, and the wonderful White Cliffs Country outdoor events season is upon us, kicking off this weekend with some corkers. Here’s a selection of what’s on:
🍺 Fri 24-Sun 26 ~ Crabble Corn Mill Beer and Cider Festival, Dover
🍦 Fri 24-Mon 27 ~ Solley’s Farm events including live music and Spring Craft Fair
🎨 Sat 25 ~ Jelly Fish Family Workshop at Dover Museum
🍓 Sat 25 ~ The Market Dover (including live music) and Deal Saturday Market
🚗 Sat 25 ~ Sandwich Classic Motor Show
🌱 Sat 25 ~ Fort Burgoyne Open Day
🏰 Sat 25-Mon 27 ~ WWII Weekend at Dover
🎸 Sat 25-Sun 26 ~ afternoon Music on the Curve, Clock Tower Square, Dover
🚗 Sun 26 ~ Classic Car Show at Dover Transport Museum
🎺 Sun 26 ~ Thanet Concert Band at Deal Memorial Bandstand
For all events info, visit https://www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk/whats-on

🎯 Keep the kids entertained during half term at Kids Rule! at Dover Castle from 28 May to 2 June and browse our website to see all the other family friendly things to see and do in the area.

Dover District Council Crabble Corn Mill Solley's Ice Cream Parlour Dover Transport Museum Fort Burgoyne English Heritage Deal Memorial Bandstand Trust

13/05/2024

We're raising a glass to today and celebrating the marvellous mixologists in White Cliffs Country - from cocktail-making classes at The LANE in Deal to ready made cocktails from Cocktail in a Bottle and brilliant bars throughout the district where you can sip a sundowner or two.
Find fabulous places for drinks on our website:

From traditional cosy country pubs to modern stylish bars, search our list of great places to visit for a drink in White Cliffs Country.

09/05/2024

Join us for GeoAdventures, a nine-month festival of events celebrating the rich geodiversity of our Cross-Channel Global Geopark!

09/05/2024

🎶 We’re excited to say that the fabulous, free-to-attend Saturday Sessions are returning to Market Square showcasing our talented local musicians!

📅 Be sure to add these dates to your social calendar as we welcome many of the great artists who performed last year.

Not forgetting (12pm-2pm):
* Tara James, 3 August 2024
* Hannah Estelle, 10 August 2024
* Two's Company, 31 August 2024
* Nicola Tee, 21 September 2024

🎼 These sessions are funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.


Visit White Cliffs Country - Dover, Deal and Sandwich

07/05/2024

We love dogs, so please follow the canine code when visiting the White Cliffs of Dover with your dog:
⭐️ 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞: Have your dog on a lead around livestock at all times and on open access land between 1 March and 31 July - it's the law.
⭐️ 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬: They let you know if livestock are present.
⭐️ 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐨: Please bag it and bin it.
⭐️ 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥: Not everyone loves dogs and some people fear them, so make sure your dog doesn't run up to other people, especially children.
⭐️ 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮: Livestock can get hurt or eat things they shouldn't if you don't.
More details are in the links in the comments below.

02/05/2024

If you are visiting the area with dogs over the bank holiday weekend, please be aware of areas of National Trust land being grazed by livestock and keep your dog on a lead. See the advice below.
From 1 May, dogs are also excluded from certain beaches between 9am and 6pm. Please read the information on our website: https://www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk/explore/plan-your-visit/dog-friendly-white-cliffs-country

𝐖𝐞'𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝.
The cattle are now grazing Langdon Hole.
You can stay up-to-date with the livestock movements on our 'Visiting with Your Dog' page on the website - link in the comments below.
🐕‍🦺Please keep your dog on a lead when in a compartment with livestock. There are signs on all access gates to livestock compartments.
If you would rather not mix with the cattle, there is a map to download showing nearby compartments that are not being grazed. Image: ©National Trust/Richard Meadows

01/05/2024

May Day 2024

"The sun also rises.

Smoother than clockwork,
round the cycle of the seasons,
infallibly and quietly,
it lights our lives and labour,
showing us our way to go."

Excerpt from the poem 'The Promise of the Year' by David Betteridge.
Thank you to for the wonderful photograph.

01/05/2024

The May issue of our monthly visitor newsletter, Chalkboard, is out now, full of seasonal news about the brilliant things to see and do in the area, places to stay and eat and drink, plus highlights of what's on each month. Click the link to read this month's and to sign up to receive a copy direct to your email inbox.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDOVER/bulletins/3999169

26/04/2024

There's a packed programme of fantastic events coming up over the summer months in White Cliffs Country, from dinosaurs in the park to pirates at the castle! Plus, there's culture, heritage, music, food, boats and general seaside merriment - all you've come to expect from the wonderful events organisers here. Head to the What's On pages on our website for details of these and many more events and start filling out your calendar: https://www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk/whats-on

24/04/2024

Regardless of chilly winds and April showers, it's worth getting outside to browse the fantastic outdoor markets in White Cliffs Country.
Weekly markets include the ever-popular Sandwich Market next to the Guildhall on Thursday mornings (8am-1pm) and vibrant Deal Saturday Market on Union Street Car Park on Saturday mornings (8am-2pm). The Market Dover is on the fourth Saturday of the month - head to the town's Market Square this Saturday (10am-3pm) to find lots of lovely local produce.

Markets in the Dover, Deal and Sandwich area.

17/04/2024

Keep an eye on our social media channels for further information about this incredible visitor attraction and precious historic site.

Dover District Council, working with the Roman Painted House Trust, is looking forward to opening the historic Roman Painted House to the public this summer and seeing the attraction play a key role in the regeneration of Dover for the future.
https://www.dover.gov.uk/News/Press-Releases/2024/A-New-Future-For-Dovers-Historic-Roman-Painted-House.aspx

17/04/2024

The extraordinary Drop Redoubt and The Grand Shaft at Dover's Western Heights will be open this Sunday, 21 April.
Join a free tour of the fort to learn about its fascinating history from knowledgeable guides - tours start at 11am and 2pm and must be booked in advance by emailing [email protected]. The tours usually last 2.5-3 hours.
Explore the remarkable140-ft spiral staircase within the White Cliffs of Dover, The Grand Shaft - the only triple-helix staircase in the UK - which will be open from 10.30am to 4pm. Access is via Snargate Street, CT17 9DA (bottom) or Drop Redoubt Road, CT17 9DZ (top).
For more information, visit doverwesternheights.org.

10/04/2024

A highlight of the area's summer calendar...

Get ready to experience the biggest Deal Music and Arts Festival yet in 2024! 🎉

We're thrilled to announce that this year, we're going BIGGER with more events than ever before! We're also forging exciting partnerships with new local venues and collaborators, marking a new era of embedding the festival across all of our vibrant Deal communities.

Save the date - 4th -14th July 2024 and get ready to explore, celebrate, and create unforgettable memories together, find out more here - www.dealmusicandarts.com/festival

Ticket sales are now live, so go ahead and plan your summer of arts!



Smugglers Festival
Royal Academy of Music
The Lighthouse
TheAstor TheatreDeal

09/04/2024

Another wonderful location to tie the knot in White Cliffs Country. This beautiful Grade II-listed venue is licenced to host wedding ceremonies for up to 40 people and receptions, including an evening bar and entertainment, until 10pm.

NEWS: Kearsney Abbey's historic Billiards Room becomes a new wedding venue! https://www.dover.gov.uk/News/Press-Releases/2024/Kearsney-Abbey's-historic-Billiards-Room-becomes-new-wedding-venue.aspx
Get hitched in the historic Billiards Room with the stunning Kearsney Abbey as the backdrop
📷 Thank you for the great pictures Dover Media Group

09/04/2024

With four lifeboat stations in the district - at Dover, Kingsdown, Walmer and North Deal - this stretch of the coast is well-served by a long line of brave lifeboat crews and volunteers. This magnificent photo dates from 1892 and depicts three 'Heroes of the Goodwin Sands' sporting the cork lifejackets of the time who between them saved more than 1130 lives in the notorious shipwreck area.
Head to Dover Museum, located in the town's Market Square, to see the RNLI 200 exhibition celebrating the bicentenary of the RNLI and the extraordinary people who provide the 24-hour search and rescue service saving countless lives. The exhibition is free and on until the end of September.

08/04/2024

The forecast is mostly dry this week - perfect for a round of Easter-holiday golf by the sea.

Great family fun in Visit White Cliffs Country - Dover, Deal and Sandwich

Roman Landings Adventure Golf located on Deal seafront, just a short walk from the pier, is great fun for all ages. With 18 holes of fully themed adventure including a miniature recreations of Walmer Castle, water features were players need to pull themselves across the water using a raft and a Roman Galley boat to negotiate
https://www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk/things-to-do/attractions/all-attractions/roman-landings-adventure-golf

12/02/2024

🐑 Spring is in the air and the fields in White Cliffs Country will soon be full of bouncing lambs. These ladies at Frampton Farm just outside Dover (with views of the castle in the distance and beautiful surrounding countryside) are expecting one lamb each. Those expecting twins are kept in a separate field to make sure they get enough to eat and they'll soon all be moving into the lambing barn ready for the hard work ahead. Booking is now open for exclusive lambing and kidding visits between 30 March and 14 April where you can meet the new-borns. www.framptonfarm.co.uk
🐑 Broadlees Farm, Guston, will be open to the public during the school Easter Holidays to educate and inform visitors how lambs are produced and how the farm works during this very busy period. www.broadleesfarm.com/lambing-open-days