Dover, Deal and Sandwich have all had long and impressive historical associations with the sea. You can see much of the maritime history on show or interpreted throughout White Cliffs Country and get a feel for when the district formed the front-line for many valuable defence services.
Today you can discover the idyllic towns and villages, all offering a more relaxed and laid back charm, with great beaches and iconic coastline.
Visiting White Cliffs Country is an absolute must for those wanting a quick break by the sea. We’ve put together some inspiration for you to make the most of spending time by the sea.
Why not leave the car at home – the district is well served by regular bus and train services connecting towns and villages across White Cliffs Country.
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Visit Maritime Deal
Start your weekend in Deal
Deal is a gem of a seaside town, in fact thought to be one of the prettiest towns in Kent! The seafront is buzzing with café culture and great places to eat and drink. Once a major port, it is now the inspiration to many artists, writers and musicians who call the town their home.
Enjoy a spot of retail therapy - the town is the proud winner of many awards, including the Telegraph’s High Street of the Year 2013 and more recently the UK’s best seaside town. The long, flat seafront is a fantastic place for walking and cycling and to take in the nature, heritage and architecture on display.
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Discover Historic Dover!
Next stop - historic Dover
Known as the Gateway to England, Dover welcomes millions of visitors each year. The iconic White Cliffs of Dover are great for views and walks. Head down to the award-winning seafront which was recently redesigned and transformed by artworks that take the form of three waves washing up against the sheltered beach.
For a fun packed day at the beach, there are some great options to try your hand at a selection of sea sports or why not take an exhilarating Sea Safari.
The seafront is an ideal place to grab a cup of tea or enjoy something to eat at the splendid glass restaurant overlooking the channel where you can sit and watch the world’s busiest shipping lane.
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See Medieval Sandwich
Don't miss this little gem
The quiet and newly restored quayside is far cry from the once bustling port that Sandwich used to be. Before silting up, the River Stour was wide and deep enough for great sailing ships – in fact it was where the first captive elephant was landed in 1255 as a gift for Henry lll!
Today the town is one of the most complete and well-preserved medieval towns in Britain and its un-spoilt streets are said to contain more half-timbered houses than any other street in England.
A quick walk into the heart of the town and you can see the grandeur of Sandwich’s 16th century historic Guildhall, home to an original Magna Carta and Charter of the Forest.
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Visit St Margaret's
Inspiration for Ian Fleming and 007!
The village was home to Noel Coward who had a house on the seafront and in 1952 sold it to Ian Fleming for inspiration for writing his books about James Bond. The Moonraker and Goldfinger books are largely based in village and Kingsdown area.
There is a wonderful windy road down to a secluded bay, which whisk you back to perfect childhood holidays. The village is on the long- distance national England Coast and National Cycle Route 1 routes and has plenty of great places to stay, eat and drink. Don’t miss The Coastguard pub right on the front which has great sea views.