Iconic Cliffs of Dover & Kent

It’s time to leave The Big Smoke behind, and travel south into the county of Kent. You leave the tall skyline of London behind as you head into the peaceful Kent Downs, an expansive stretch of countryside that takes you to your first stop of the day: Canterbury.

There are many reasons you may have heard of the medieval cathedral city of Canterbury. Enclosed within the city walls, which was first established nearly 2000 years ago by the Romans, you have plenty of time to walk the cobbled, medieval town centre, losing yourself amongst the timber-framed houses. Perhaps you came here for the Cathedral, which is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbuy, and one of the most well-known pilgrimage sites in the country; perhaps you’re a fan of Geoffrey Chaucer, and you’re walking in the footsteps of the pilgrms from this iconic medieval tale. There’s time to unearth Canterbury’s rich history, as well as enjoy lunch from one of the local cafes.

It’s a short drive from Canterbury to Dover, the gateway to the continent. Here, you can visit the medieval fortress of Dover Castle, which stands imposingly over the English Channel. There are many secrets to discover in this formidable castle that has protected Dover against siege for hundreds of years, from the establishment of the current site in 1180, to the expansion of tunnels, as the castle served as a headquarters during WWII.

After discovering the secrets hidden within castle, you head up the road to the iconic White Cliffs of Dover. These limestone cliffs offer incredible views over the sea, and are an iconic geological feature welcoming travellers from the continent and have served as a natural fortification in the coastline. You can enjoy the fresh sea air here and take a few final photos, before heading back to London in the evening.