tunnel
Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel)
50 km tunnel under the English Channel - drive your car on the train
12 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Dover
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Dover
Dover is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Capel le Ferne, 49km from Leeds Castle.
Dover is in England, United Kingdom, with about 42,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Capel le Ferne, about 7 km away.
Dover ( DOH-vər) is a town, major ferry port and civil parish in Kent, England. It faces France across the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the English Channel at 33 kilometres (21 mi) from Cap Gris-Nez in France. It lies southeast of Canterbury and east of Maidstone. The town is the administrative centre of theRead more
Dover District and home of the Port of Dover. In 2024 it had an estimated population of 44,209.
Archaeological finds have revealed that the area has always been a focus for peoples entering and leaving Britain. The name derives from the River Dour that flows through it.
In recent times the town has undergone transformations, with a high-speed rail link to London, new retail in town with St James' area opened in 2018, and a revamped promenade and beachfront. This followed in 2019, with a new 500 m pier to the west of the harbour, and new marina unveiled as part of a £330 million investment in the area. It has also been a point of destination for many illegal migrant crossings.
The Port of Dover provides much of the town's employment, as does tourism, including to the landmark White Cliffs of Dover. There were 368,000 tourists visiting Dover castle in 2019.
Dover is classified as a Large-Port Town, due to its large volumes of port traffic and low urban population.
Where to Stay in Dover
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Dover?
Within an hour or so of Dover: Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel) (12 km), Canterbury Cathedral (23 km), Cap Gris-Nez (34 km), Cap Blanc-Nez (36 km).
Are there any good drives near Dover?
The nearest famous roads are Crystal Palace Circuit, Koninklijke Baan Coast Road and Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Where is Dover?
Dover is in England, United Kingdom, about 7 km from Capel le Ferne.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 41,709
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.1260, 1.3126
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Dover
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury and one of the oldest Christian structures in England.
23 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Cap Gris-Nez
The closest point in France to England, a windswept headland of cliffs, lighthouse and migrating birds.
34 km · about 40 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Cap Blanc-Nez
Dazzling white chalk cliffs on the Opal Coast with views across the Channel to England on clear days.
36 km · about 40 min drive
photogenic
Mermaid Street, Rye
Cobbled hill of half-timbered houses in the ancient Cinque Port of Rye, crowned by the 15th-century Mermaid Inn with its smuggling-era cellars. Houses carry names like 'The House with Two Front Doors'.
45 km · about 50 min drive
landmark
Rye
A hilltop town of cobbled streets and timber-framed houses, once a Cinque Port and now stranded two miles inland.
45 km · about 50 min drive
landmark
Nausicaá – National Sea Centre
Europe's largest aquarium in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France with a stunning open-ocean tank and conservation mission.
48 km · about 55 min drive
castle
Leeds Castle
A castle on islands in a lake formed by the River Len in Kent, often called the loveliest castle in the world.
49 km · about 55 min drive
Driving roads near Dover
- Right hereChannel Tunnel (Eurotunnel)50 km tunnel under the English Channel - drive your car on the train
- 34 kmCap Gris-NezThe closest point in France to England, a windswept headland of cliffs, lighthouse and migrating birds.
- 36 kmCap Blanc-NezDazzling white chalk cliffs on the Opal Coast with views across the Channel to England on clear days.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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