Dover
Chalk cliffs, a castle on the hill above town and the ferry route to France make Dover a practical stop on the way to or from the Continent.
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Dover is a port town on the Kent coast of southeast England, on the English Channel. It is the main ferry port to France, and it is the closest point of England to the Continent. Two things bring people here: the White Cliffs, the chalk cliffs that run along the coast beside the town, and Dover Castle, a large medieval castle on the hill above the harbor. London is reachable by high-speed train, which makes Dover a day trip for many travelers.
A visit suits a half day, or a night before an early ferry. The order you choose shapes the day. Go to the cliffs first if the weather is clear, or the castle first if you want time indoors and a view over the harbor. Late spring through early autumn is the easiest season for walking the cliffs. Allow a full day if you want to see both, and check your ferry check-in time before you plan the evening.
Dover in five
- Walk the White Cliffs, free to enterThe National Trust site at the White Cliffs is free to enter, but parking is charged unless you are a member. The closest station is Dover Priory, about two miles away and a walk of around 40 minutes following signs.White Cliffs of Dover
- Give Dover Castle half a dayRun by English Heritage, it has a Roman lighthouse, a medieval keep and wartime tunnels. Check opening hours and book online for your month.
- Going to France? Read the EES rules firstNon-EU visitors face entry checks at the Schengen border. Read how the Entry/Exit System works before the crossing, and keep your passport handy for the queue.EES explained
- Arriving from France? Have your ETA readyIf you need a UK ETA, you must hold it before you board the ferry or Eurotunnel in France. Apply before you leave, since carriers check at boarding.UK ETA explained
- Do not assume the station is at the portDover Priory is in the town, and the ferry terminal is a separate trip by bus or taxi. Allow extra time on the way to a sailing.
Need to know
- Airport
- No airport; London Gatwick or Heathrow, then train
- Getting there
- Hourly high-speed trains from London St Pancras to Dover Priory
- Getting around
- Walk the town; bus or taxi to the port and cliffs
- Best base
- Dover town for sailings; Deal or Canterbury for atmosphere
- Time needed
- A day, or one night before a crossing
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Cold, windyJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, windy
- FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Cold, windyFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, windy
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh10°Low6°Cool, dryMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh11°Low7°Mild, clear daysAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear days
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low10°Mild, greenMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- JunePartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°Warm, busyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Warm, busy ferriesAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy ferries
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low14°Mild, calmerSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calmer
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low12°Mild, quieterOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh12°Low8°Wet, short daysNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, short days
- DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh10°Low7°Cold, quietDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
Average daily high and low in Dover, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Dover
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 64%
- Wind
- 43 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Dover
08:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°9°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue12°9°99%Tuesday: Rain. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Wed10°8°2%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu9°7°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri10°8°9%Friday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Sat9°7°15%Saturday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Sun10°7°15%Sunday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 15%.
Updated 05:24 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Canterburyby trainA cathedral city with a medieval center, a short train ride inland.
- Deal and Sandwichby train or busSeafront castle and an old Cinque Port town up the coast.
- Folkestoneby train or busA harbor and arts quarter along the coast to the west.
Before you go to Dover
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Rules for Dover, checked
- The White Cliffs site is free to enter; parking is charged unless you are a member. Dover Priory is about two miles away, a walk of around 40 minutes.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Dover
The county around Dover, with Canterbury and the coast
Read the guideLondonHigh-speed trains run from St Pancras
Read the guideBrighton & HoveMore of the south coast, west by rail
Read the guideEES explainedBorder checks for non-EU visitors going to France
Read the guideRyeA cobbled hill town along the coast, reached via Ashford or Hastings
Read the guideAll of EnglandPorts, cities and rail across England
Read the guideTrains and ferries to EuropeChoosing rail, ferry or coach on the Channel
Read the guideDover FAQ
Is Dover worth visiting?
Yes for a half day: the White Cliffs, the castle and the harbor. It is not a big city, so many visitors combine it with Canterbury or an overnight before the ferry.
How do you get from London to Dover?
By high-speed train from St Pancras to Dover Priory, and by slower services from Victoria and Charing Cross. The National Trust lists an hourly high-speed service; check the National Rail site for today's times.
Can you walk to the White Cliffs from Dover town?
Yes. The National Trust says the walk from Dover Priory takes approximately 40 minutes following brown walking signs, though the path climbs, so wear sturdy shoes.
How long do you need at Dover Castle?
Plan for a half day, since the castle and its tunnels spread over a large hilltop site. Add time if you want the wartime tunnel tour, and check the English Heritage site for opening times.
Is there a UK ETA check at Dover?
The ETA must be held before you travel, so apply before you board the ferry or Eurotunnel. Check the official UK government guidance on who needs one and how to apply.