Kent, United Kingdom
Explore eight miles of dramatic chalk coastline facing the English Channel. Walk the coastal trails, explore wartime tunnels, or visit historic lighthouses.
5.0 from 42 traveller reviews on Viator
Tickets & tours
Choose from guided day trips departing from London or private coastal excursions.
Top ratedEnjoy unrivalled service with collection and drop-off from your hotel; no need to worry about finding a meeting point early in the morning. All our tours are run by some...
Most bookedEscape the hustle-bustle of London for a day and travel to the English countryside for a tour of Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Dover. Enjoy viewing beautiful...
Small groupJoin this small-group tour and spend a relaxing day exploring a region known as 'the Garden of England'. Travel through the heart of the charming countryside and...
Explore
From Victorian lighthouses to hidden WWII tunnels.
3 spotsVisitor Centre & TrailsChannel views, facilities, and the start of the chalk grassland trails.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
3 spotsHistory & TunnelsVictorian engineering and WWII tunnels on a coastal walk.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
3 spotsDover Castle AreaThe medieval fortress and WWII command centre on the western cliffs.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
The iconic chalk face reaches 350 feet above sea level.
On clear days, the French coast is visible across the Strait of Dover.
Plan your visit
Allow 2 to 3 hours for the main walking routes.
Late spring and summer for wildflowers and clearer views.
High-speed trains from London St Pancras take under 2 hours.
Path access is free; parking costs £5.
The White Cliffs of Dover stretch for approximately eight miles along the Kent coastline. Composed of striking white chalk accented by black flint, these cliffs have stood as a symbol of Britain for centuries. The National Trust manages the main visitor area, which includes rare chalk grassland and important historical sites.
A visit usually begins at the Visitor Centre & Trails. From here, coastal paths offer expansive views over the English Channel. On clear days, you can easily spot the French coast roughly 20 miles away.
Beyond the views, the cliffs hide layers of history. You can walk to the Victorian South Foreland Lighthouse or explore the History & Tunnels, which include deep WWII-era shelters carved directly into the chalk.
We only list tours with strong, consistent reviews.
We favor itineraries that allow actual time to walk the cliffs.
We specify exactly what tickets and transport are covered.
From Viator
42 reviews of the private kent tour on Viator
Our guide, OZ was wonderful and provided lots of information on each site we visited. He had extensive historical knowledge to impart which made the day very enjoyable.
Hi quality tour experience from booking to drop off. Really great day to see some sites for a day trip out of London. Our guide Peter was a pleasure.
Cameron, the guide and the driver Admen were wonderful. Cameron had a great sense of humour and I enjoyed his word origin stories and how he did different voices and characters of history. I would recommend this tour again anybody visiting London, again Cameron and the driver Admen were great
Thoroughly enjoyed the tour of Leeds Castle and Canterbury, particularly the fascinating historical insights shared throughout. Our guide, Cameron, was lively, humorous and engaging, ensuring there was never a dull moment! Ahmed's safe and smooth driving made the journey all the more comfortable. Overall, a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable experience. Would definitely recommend
Our tour guide was Liam and we could not have asked for anyone better. Not only is he incredibly knowledgeable, but he goes out of his way to give you the tips and tricks of how to enjoy each stop and the history behind places that we get to see and visit. I particularly enjoyed his British playlist as it really put you in the mood for each destination. Thanks Liam, we loved the tour!
This was a great experience with a great guide with a lot of knowledge of areas. I would recommend Liam (our guide) Everytime he was awesome:
Charlie guided us on a poor weather day. High winds and some rain made it much more of an adventure than expected. Charlie was great as was our driver Michelle. We were on schedule and well taken care of entirely.
Stunning view, great guide this tour was awesome! Thankfully the day turned out to be sunny, a nice break from the rain
A very wonderful day. The coach was very comfortable. The driver and tour guide personable, and the tour guide knowledgeable and informative. Everything was fantastic to see-Dover Castle, the White Cliffs, and especially Canterbury Cathedral. The guide gave us a mini-tour, and then plenty of time to look around on our own. I would book with Anderson Tours again.
Travel tips
Parking Costs & RulesFind out where to park, costs, and timings for the White Cliffs.Read 
Travel from LondonGet from London to the White Cliffs of Dover by train, car, or tour.Read 
Walking TrailsFind the best walking routes along the White Cliffs of Dover.Read 
WWII Tunnel GuidePlan your Fan Bay Deep Shelter tour and navigate the 125 steep steps.Read Dog rulesRules for visiting with dogs.Read Best time to visitFind the quietest days and the best seasons for clear views.Read Walking to the South Foreland Lighthouse and back takes about 2 hours. If you want to explore the visitor centre, visit the lighthouse tearoom, or tour the Fan Bay Deep Shelter, allow 3 to 4 hours in total.
No, accessing the coastal paths is completely free. You only need to pay for parking at the visitor centre (£5 per car) or for specific guided tours inside the historic landmarks.
The Langdon Cliffs stretch, immediately past the visitor centre, offers some of the best panoramic views. You can also get good views looking up at the cliffs from Dover promenade or the stony beach below.
Take a Southeastern high-speed train from London St Pancras to Dover Priory station, which takes 1 to 2 hours. From the station, it is a 2-mile (approximately 40-minute) walk following brown signs to the visitor centre.
Yes, as long as you stay on the marked paths and well away from the cliff edges. The chalk is prone to erosion and can be unstable. Sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended.
Yes. On a clear day, the French coastline is visible across the English Channel, located approximately 20 miles (32 km) away. Binoculars are handy for a better look.
Compare transport options and book your tour to see the cliffs.
