A warm winter welcome

At just over an hour from London by highspeed train, this is the ideal area for a day trip to the coast in winter, a long weekend in a cosy bolthole by the sea or a longer stay to see all the sites without the crowds and to get to know this special place.

Make the most of daylight hours

Get outside and explore the many great walking or cycle routes here and experience our wonderful coastline and countryside at a quieter time of year. Follow 20 miles of the South East Coast Path (a section of the King Charles III England Coast Path) along our shore or explore the countryside following routes such as the North Downs Way/Via Francigena.

Visit parks and gardens open daily including Goodnestone Park Gardens and Kearsney Parks to see them in their winter splendour. Pines Garden in St Margaret's Bay is open on Wednesdays to Sundays, as is their cafe and small local museum - a lovely place to visit after a walk on the beach.

After all that fresh air, settle yourself beside a warming fire in one of our welcoming hostelries to sample delicious local drinks and meals made with locally sourced ingredients. From traditional village pubs, microbreweries, and friendly cafes to smart bars and award-winning restaurants, there's plenty of choice. 

Open year-round

Many of the fantastic visitor attractions here are fully open all year round, including the National Trust White Cliffs of Dover, Wingham Wildlife Park, Betteshanger Park and Kent Mining Museum. Others, including Dover Castle, Walmer Castle and Gardens and Whitemills Wake & Aqua Park, have reduced opening days and/or hours but are still open to visitors during the winter months. Please check online for the most up-to-date information about opening times before you set off.

Cosy boltholes

White Cliffs Country is sparkling at Christmas time and is the perfect location for a festive getaway to celebrate with family and friends by the sea and a wonderful place to visit in January and February. There are plenty of cosy hotels and guesthouses including The Bell Hotel in Sandwich, The Royal Hotel on the beach in Deal, The Rose in Deal High Street, Updown Farmhouse in the countryside near Deal and Dover Marina Hotel next to the harbour. Click on the box at the bottom of the page to browse all the hotels, B&Bs, self-catering cottages and other lovely places to stay here in winter.

Brighten up the dark evenings

There's plenty of fun to be had during the winter months in White Cliffs Country, from live music at one of the area's many venues (such as The Booking Hall in Dover or the Lighthouse in Walmer) to fabulous evenings at The Astor Theatre in Deal or watching a film on the big screen at Cineworld in Dover or the independent, art-deco Empire in Sandwich.

The outdoor Christmas events in the area are open to all and are a wonderful way to beat the winter blues. Dover's Winter Light-Up, Sandwich and Deal's Lights Switch-On events are marvellously uplifting gatherings and are sure to get you in the festive spirit. 

There is a growing number of fantastic Christmas markets and fairs in our towns and villages. These are perfect places to buy special gifts and festive treats.

See our What's On pages for details of all the events happening this winter.

5 things to do in winter in White Cliffs Country

1 Buy a hot drink from one of the lovely local cafes in Dover and walk along the promenade and the pier – you'll get the best views of the seafront, marina and cliffs. Afterwards, visit Dover Museum and the Bronze Age Boat Gallery where you'll see the oldest boat in the world (around 3000 years old!), amazing displays of fascinating local history and a lovely shop for retail therapy.

2 Walk across the clifftop from St Margaret's Bay to Walmer or further to Deal for lunch and back again – you may see stonechats on fenceposts and meadow pipits in the grass. Treat yourself to a hearty lunch at a pub - there is The Zetland Arms on the beach at Kingsdown, The Kings Head on the seafront in Deal and others (see below).

3 Take the train to Sandwich for a walk around the photogenic medieval town and stop for a drink in one of the lovely pubs and bars, such as The Red Cow, The Waiting Room and The Old Pharmacy Bar. Book a boat trip with the River Runner from Sandwich Quay - it's a great time of year to see grey seals on the banks of the Stour.

4 For a brush with nature, wrap up warm and visit Samphire Hoe where you may spot winter birds such as red-throated divers, or head to Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory to see overwintering birds there. It's spectacular as the sun goes down.

5 Walk along the seafront in Deal and stop for a coffee in one of the lovely cafes (where dogs may also get a biscuit). Deal Pier is a great place to blow away the cobwebs and there's a fabulous view of the town from the seaward end of the pier. You can buy hot drinks and meals from Deal Pier Kitchen.