Dover England Cruise Port Guide | 5 Best Things To Do

Welcome to Dover England cruise port! Located in England’s southeastern county of Kent, at the English Channel’s narrowest point, Dover is a coastal town and a gateway to England known for its rich history and natural beauty. It is one of the busiest ferry ports in Europe as it’s the departure point for ferries and cargo ships between the UK and France (Calais). In this article, read about:

Dover port overview (Dover cruise terminal, getting around, helpful info)
Top 5 things to do in Dover cruise port & Dover shore excursions

Visit also our cruise port guides to Greenock (Glasgow), Belfast, Holyhead, Cork (Cobh), Amsterdam, (Inverness), Le Havre

Dover England Cruise Port Info

Cruise ships dock at Admiralty Pier in the Inner Harbour, located on the western side of the port of Dover (Western Docks). Two cruise terminals can accommodate up to 3 cruise ships at a time, depending on the size of the vessel: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Dover Cruise Terminal 1 is located at the former “Dover Marine” railway station. The railway station building was transformed into a passenger terminal building where today passengers can find facilities including a tourist information desk, restrooms, luggage handling, phone booths, check-in desk, lifts, lounge area, exchange office, and cafeterias.
Dover Cruise Terminal 2 is located further out along the pier and is designed to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships. It features a large state-of-the-art terminal building where you can find ATMs, toilets, a tourist information desk, lifts, cafe bars, and all other facilities for cruise passengers.

Some of the major cruise lines sailing to the British Isles include Princess Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Windstar Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Dover England cruise port map — *Dover cruise port map. Source: google.com/maps/*

The view of Dover from Dover cruise port — *The view of Dover Castle from Dover port. Image by Bella*.

Getting Around & Local Transportation

Dover cruise port is located next to the city center and can easily be reached on foot in approximately a 20-30 minute walk.
Cruise lines also offer a convenient shuttle service for a nominal fee and the ride takes 5 minutes. The shuttle includes two stops: one in the city center (Market Square on King Street) and the other at the bottom of Dover Castle. Tickets can be purchased onboard the ship using your cruise pass card or directly on the bus (cash). Guests should re-confirm the drop-off locations onboard the ship.
Taxis are also available outside the terminals and are metered.
The public buses are reliable and well-connected. Check out the official website for additional info on timetables and fares https://www.stagecoachbus.com/
Trains depart from Dover Priory Railway Station, located a 5-minute drive from the cruise port (or take a shuttle to Market Square and then walk 10 minutes to the railway station). You can also reach the railway station on foot directly from the port and the walk takes around 25 minutes. The trains are operated by https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/
The official currency in the United Kingdom is the British Pound (£). Local currency and major credit cards are widely accepted. There is also a currency exchange office inside the terminal buildings.
Gatwick Airport is located 79 miles/127 km (a 1h 20-minute drive) west of Dover port, while the distance between Dover cruise terminal and London City Airport is 75 miles/120 km (a 1h 40-minute drive). Those are the two nearest airports to Dover.
Book a private transfer to/from Dover cruise terminals
Explore Dover tours and activities

5 Best Things to Do in Dover Cruise Port

1. Dover Castle

This impressive medieval castle sits atop the famous Kent White Cliffs overlooking the English Channel. Built in the 11^th century by Henry II, the castle was England’s primary defense stronghold often referred to as the “Key to England” due to its excellent strategic location. For many centuries, the English troops were based here protecting the coast from potential attacks coming from Europe.

Roam around the castle grounds and visit Arthur’s Hall, the Great Tower (medieval court of Henry II), Stone Hut, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment and Queen’s Regiment Museum, and over 1900 years old Roman lighthouse – the first building ever built on this site.

Explore inside the Secret Wartime Tunnels used by the English during the threat of Napoleon in the 18^th century and the outbreak of World War II. You’ll see the elaborated communication center with the latest technology of that time, the command centers used to coordinate the defense against the German attacks and the underground hospital. The Castle also offers fantastic views of the English Channel and on a clear day, it is possible to see the coast of France which is only 23 miles away from Dover.

There are several cafes and eateries at the Castle, and you can also bring your own food if you wish to organize a picnic within the picnic area located on top of the White Cliffs overlooking the English Channel. Shops and a free car park are available as well. Wheelchair access is available within the grounds. Great Tower has access to the ground floor only.

To reach Dover Castle you can take the cruise line shuttle service that will drop you off at Castle Hill stop, from where you’ll need to walk around 10 minutes to the entrance to the Castle. A taxi will take you much closer – right where you need to get the entrance tickets. The taxi ride takes only 5 minutes. You can also reach the castle on foot and the journey from the cruise terminal should take approximately 40 minutes.

Check out Dover Castle tours and activities

2. The White Cliffs of Dover

Visit one of the most iconic landmarks in the United Kingdom that played an important role in British history – the spectacular White Cliffs of Dover! During wartime, troops could easily spot invaders due to the extensive views over the English Channel.

The best way to experience the White Cliffs is to take the coastal hike to the top so you can enjoy nature. There are in total 16 miles of trails, however, to get the best scenic views you can take a 5-kilometer (3 miles return) walking trail to the South Foreland Lighthouse, a scenic spot overlooking St. Margaret’s Bay and offering the most spectacular views of the cliffs. This Victorian lighthouse sits atop the cliff and was the first lighthouse to use electric light. Besides learning about the history of the Lighthouse, you can also enjoy a traditional cup of tea at their tearoom.

Along the way, you will see the cute Exmoor ponies also known as Celtic ponies, a horse breed native to the British Isles. You can also make a stop at the Fan Bay Deep Shelter, the complex of tunnels that were built to keep soldiers safe during WWII. It is quite windy at the cliff so it’s a great place to fly a kite which you can borrow at the lighthouse.

Dover White Cliffs, United Kingdom — *Dover White Cliffs and South Foreland Lighthouse. Source: Pixabay.com*

Wheelchair users and those with walking difficulties can take a short walk along the boardwalk to a viewpoint offering panoramic views of the English Channel, the coastline, and Dover Harbour. The Lighthouse is partly accessible (ground floor). If you are considering taking the trail please note that the walk can take a little more than an hour each way. Make sure you wear appropriate footwear, bring a bottle of water, and very importantly – bring a light jacket/raincoat, as the weather in the UK can change at any given time.

To get to White Cliffs from Dover cruise port, you can take bus 80 from Pencester Road bus station in Dover downtown (a 5-minute walk from the shuttle drop-off location) to St Margaret’s at Cliffe Bay Hill. The bus ride takes 15 minutes and once you get off at Bay Hill, you need to walk another 20-25 minutes to the lighthouse. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or book a shore excursion.

Check out White Cliffs tours and activities

3. Leeds Castle

Considered the loveliest castle in the world, Leeds Castle is situated in the heart of Kent in the village of Leeds, only 40 minutes drive northwest of Dover (around 58 km/36 miles).

This fairytale castle was built in the 12^th century after the Norman Conquest, and in 1278 it became the Royal Palace for Edward I and his wife Eleanor who decided to transform it into a more beautiful site. During WWII the castle served as a Red Cross hospital and became home to Dutch and French prisoners of war. In 1926 the castle was bought by Lady Baillie, the last owner of Leeds Castle until she died in 1974. In 1976 the Castle was open to the public and ever since visitors can enjoy and explore this magnificent place.

Explore the castle grounds, beautiful gardens and palace staterooms including Lady Baillie’s bedroom where you can find her favorite Louis Vuitton travel trunk. Take a journey into 900 years of castle history at the Gatehouse Exhibition and visit the unique Dog Collar Museum where you can see an extraordinary collection of dog collars dating back to the late 15^th century. The castle also offers other attractions for the whole family like The Maze, Adventure Golf, Knight’s Stronghold Playground, The Falconry, and a walking trail around the estate amongst others.

The majority of the castle grounds are wheelchair accessible. There is a mobility bus free of charge near the ticket office and the service runs throughout the day.

How to Get to Leeds Castle from Dover Cruise Terminal?

If you want to go to Leeds Castle, it’s highly recommended you either book a shore excursion/a private transfer or take a taxi, because the journey by bus or train will take you more than 1.5 hours each way.
Traveling by train: Take a train from Dover Priory Railway Station to Hollingbourne, a village in the Maidstone district. The trip takes approximately 1 hour and includes 1 change at Ashford International. Trains run only once per hour. Once you arrive in Hollingbourne, you can either walk to Leeds Castle for about 35 minutes or take a 5-minute ride to get there. Find timetables at https://ticket.southeasternrailway.co.uk/
Traveling by bus is complicated as it requires changing multiple buses. There is an option to take a train from Dover Priory railway station to Ashford International and then switch to bus 10X. This trip takes over 2.5 hours and it’s not recommended for cruise passengers due to the ship’s limited time in port.

Check out Leeds Castle tours and activities

4. Canterbury

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is situated in the southeast of England, only 35 minutes drive north of Dover (32 km; 20 mi). Considered one of the most beautiful cities in the country, the city is filled with historic and cultural experiences that attract visitors worldwide. While visiting, don’t miss out on these Canterbury highlights:

Canterbury Cathedral – Admire the magnificent medieval stained-glass windows and unique Gothic architecture of the impressive Canterbury Cathedral. Founded in 597 AD, the Cathedral was completely rebuilt in the 11th century. It is one of the oldest Christian churches in England and home to the headquarters of the Church of England and its leader, the Archbishop of Canterbury. There is a charge to visit the Cathedral grounds unless you are attending service. Timed entry tickets must be pre-booked online on the official website www.canterbury-cathedral.org. Not all areas of the Cathedral are wheelchair accessible.

*Canterbury Cathedral. Source: Pixabay.com*

St Martin’s Church – Not far from the Cathedral you will find St Martin’s Church, the first church founded in England. Dating from the late 6th century, this quaint little church is one of the world’s oldest churches still in use.
You can also visit the ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey, one of the oldest monasteries in the United Kingdom founded in 598 AD.
Canterbury Castle is another landmark located close to the city center. This Norman Castle was built around the 11^th century and served as one of three Royal castles in Kent until the 13th century when it became a county jail. It remained to be a prison until 1609.
While in the city, you should visit the Canterbury city walls originally built by Romans, and repaired in the 14^th century. There were originally 7 medieval gates to the city but only West Gate remains now. It is one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks and houses the Westgate Towers Museum.
Another popular attraction in the city is the Canterbury Tales, where you will enjoy an interactive exhibition of Chaucer’s famous collection of tales.
You can also experience the beauty and history of the city from a different perspective, from the water. Take one of the many punting or river tours along the River Stour, and discover the hidden secrets of Canterbury.

How to Get to Canterbury from Dover cruise port?

You can take the direct train from Dover Priory to Canterbury. The train runs once or twice per hour and the trip takes around 30 minutes.
You can also take bus 15 from Dover Priory directly to Canterbury. The journey takes around 40 minutes (subject to traffic).
A taxi ride from the Dover cruise port to Canterbury takes around 25 minutes.
The cruise lines may offer a convenient transfer service which normally includes an onboard escort that provides general information, a tour, and a tourist map of Canterbury.

Check out Canterbury tours and activities

5. London

If you are adventurous and would like to explore the big city of London, the first thing you need to consider is your time in port, because the ride takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes each way (125 km/78 miles).

If you are visiting London for the first time, my suggestion is to get on one of the open-top sightseeing buses to cover the city’s main attractions.

Buckingham Palace – The official residence of the United Kingdom’s sovereigns. You can tour the palace’s private chambers and opulent staterooms and watch the changing of the guard.
Big Ben – The 16-story neo-Gothic clocktower is located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. The 316-foot (96 m) tall tower is the most famous clock in the world and the national symbol of London.
Westminster Abbey – The medieval Gothic church was constructed in the 11th century and has been the site of many coronations, burials, and weddings including the marriage of Prince William to Kate Middleton in 2011.
The London Eye – A gigantic observation wheel allowing visitors to get a spectacular panoramic view of London.
Tower Bridge – Located next to the Tower of London, the 800-foot (240 m) long Tower Bridge across the River Thames is one of the world’s most famous bridges offering stunning views of the city from its high-level West Walkway.
Piccadilly Circus
Trafalgar Square

Buckingham Palace Gardens, London, UK — *Buckingham Palace. Photo courtesy of Rene Cicero.*

Tower Bridge in London — *Tower Bridge. Photo courtesy of Rene Cicero.*

How to Get to London from Dover Cruise Port?

I suggest you check with your onboard Shore Excursion Team for any organized transfer to the capital city, as this will take away a lot of pressure because they guarantee your return to the ship in the unlikely event of heavy traffic. If you book a transfer-only option, you are normally provided with a set meeting time and location for your return to Dover Port. You will get a certain amount of hours for free exploration of the city.
If you have decided to explore London on your own, consider taking the train from Dover Priory to Central London. The journey can take 1-2 hours and there are around 3 train departures per hour. Check carefully the timetables, as some trains are direct while some include 1 change (and the journey takes from 1.5 to 2 hours one way).
You can also book a taxi, a private transfer, or a shore excursion through a reliable tour operator (make sure they are aware of your ship’s departure time so they can bring you back at least half an hour before All onboard time).

Check out the tours from Dover to London

Visit also our cruise port guide to Greenock (Glasgow), Belfast, Holyhead, Cork (Cobh), Dublin, Invergordon (Inverness), Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Le Havre