White Cliffs Country has a legacy of castles, historic monuments and interesting places to visit. Dover Castle is splendidly situated on the cliffs above the sea. The nearby seaside town of Deal is worth a visit and a few miles inland is the Cathedral city of Canterbury. If golf is your bag then look no further; with some of the country's finest links courses including Royal St. Georges at Sandwich and Deal Cinque Ports within half an hour's drive.
Or for a day out with a little 'je ne sais quoi' take a trip from The White Cliffs across the Channel to Calais with Dover less than 4 miles away you can leave after breakfast and be back in 'Blighty' in time for tea!
EXPERIENCES & ACTIVITIES
The White Cliffs of Dover have stood for millennia and have long been regarded for their role in the nation's identity. Both Shakespeare and Wordsworth have written of their beauty and described the cliffs as "A place of savage beauty".
ACTIVE
Walking
Roam along the deserted coastline, get off the beaten track and let your imagination loose amongst the rolling green hills of the North Downs - a paradise for walkers.
Sea Swimming or Cross-Channel Swimming
In summer, simply laze on the beach in the secluded cove whilst the kids play in the waves. Take a swim across the bay and like many before you dream of swimming across to the coast of France one day; a feat only acheived by the hardiest souls, many of which departed from the pebbled cove at St. Margaret's Bay.
Windsurfing, Sea Kayaking, Dinghy Sailing, Surfing & Boogie Boarding
Load up your kit and get out amongst it at St. Margaret's Bay. In close, the wave-cut platform off Ness Point at St. Margaret's Bay kicks up a very respectable surf in the right conditions (look out for a big swell and a North-Westerly). It's been a secret spot for local surfers, kayakers and canoeists for some time, ask Gavin (your host and keen watersports enthusiast) for priceless local knowledge.
For those who like 'big air' St. Margaret's Bay offers a challenging spot from which to launch. With a big South-Westerly, this beach is hard to beat along the whole of the South Coast. Windsurfers regard this beach as a challenging spot, but with the back drop of the White Cliffs it makes for an unforgettable venue.
Running
Follow the tracks along the rolling cliffs for breath-taking views across the Channel. Take the path along the cliff edge (not too close!) for a tougher run with hill climbs and steep descents or follow the path to the lighthouse for a gentler jog. If hill training is your thing, follow the footsteps of mountaineers (Ask Gavin about his training for Kilimanjaro) and hit Bay Hill and 80 metre vertical climb from the beach either up the road or the 212 Bay steps.
Mountain Biking & Cycling
The White Cliffs Hotel is less than 50 metres from National Cycle Route Number 1 which runs along the coast between Dover and Deal. CLICK HERE FOR A LEAFLET. Use The White Cliffs Hotel as a base from which to explore the surrounding coast and countryside on your bike. There are a number of local trails ideal for mountain biking which take in clifftop scenery and wooded valleys away from the noise and pollution of traffic, perfect for eeveryone from beginners and children to expert speedhounds.
Climbing
Not for the feint hearted this one. Climbers have been spotted scaling the face of the cliffs with ice axes and pitons. Now, we don't recommend doing this but if you have a screw loose this could be for you.
Base Jumping
Even more 'screwloose' are the individuals who have been caught on video throwing themselves off the cliffs with a parachute attached and 'coming in hot' onto the rocks below. We cannot condone this behaviour, but it is mighty impressive all the same!
Horse Riding
The area surrounding The White Cliffs Hotel is criss-crossed by mile upon mile of bridleways, green lanes and tracks perfect for a hack through the country. There are a number of local stables and riding schools within a couple of miles. We can arrange anything from an hour's riding lesson to secure overnight accommodation for a number of horses for a week or more. Give us a call for more details.
Country Pursuits & Clay Pigeon Shooting
Clay pigeon shooting is a thrilling experience, demanding calm concentration, a keen eye and quick reactions. Perfect your aim and time your shots and soon you will be notching up your 'kills'. Of course these are not real birds and no one gets hurt, making it a great sport for all - young and old, men and women alike.
Kelly Country Sports operates in the impressive grounds of Wallett's Court Country House Hotel around 5 minutes drive from THE WHITE CLIFFS HOTEL.
Peter, your charming instructor will pick you up from The White Cliffs Hotel and chauffeur you to the shooting grounds. From individual coaching sessions to corporate days to a shooting weekend with accommodation and dinner we have the packages to suit your experience and pocket.
TARIFF - Clay Shooting Lesson £75.00 per person
Many people begin their shotgun shooting by learning on clay pigeons and it is the ideal way to gain experience without committing yourself to a large outlay.
A clay pigeon shooting lesson can be a particularly attractive for those who live in town nearby or are limited in the amount of time that they can give to their sport. It can also be relatively inexpensive, compared with paying for a day's live quarry shooting.
Package includes: Safety briefing, tuition, a practice round from 4 different positions, a competition round, 50 Cartridges and Clays. n.b If you'd like to continue to practice - Extra Cartridges: £40.00 per 50 (Clays free)
Click Here>>> or call and speak to Peter on 07714560853 for bookings or for more information.
Gyms & Swimming Pools
Keep in shape during you stay with a visit to THE OXIDE FITNESS STUDIO at nearby Wallett's Court Country House Hotel 1 mile away. Kitted out with state of the art cardiovascular fitness equipment including upright & recumbent cycles, cross-trainers, rowers, treadmills, multi-gyms & free-weights. We can even arrange a personal fitness instructor to put you through your paces. Residents of The White Cliffs Hotel are entitled to use the fitness studio, spa and pools at Wallett's Court for just £10 per day.
Golfing
We'll soon have details here on the amazing arrary of course in the area. In the mean time please call us for more information...
NATURAL
Rock Pooling & Fossil Hunting
Take a stroll to the beach at St. Margaret's Bay, in the cooler months dip your toes in the icy surf, explore the coastline with its rock pools, caves and fossils. Find crabs, winkles, mussels, anemones, and starfish in amongst the seaweed, rockpooling will keep kids amused for hours (the record number of green shore crabs caught in one session was 103 - bet you can't beat that! p.s. We put everyone of them back, they didn't end up in the raviloi, honest!!!).
Beach Fishing
Get up early and take your tackle to the beach at St. Margaret's Bay for a bit of big game fishing White Cliffs Style. Catch of the day could be sea bass, mackerel, dogfish or sole. Glean some local knowlegde from the charcters on the beach or hitch a ride in one of the day boats that go out from there or further along the coast on Deal beach.
Bird & Wildlife Watching
Bring your binoculars with you (or borrow some from the hotel) and see if you can spy some of the wildlife. Down at the beach the keen-eyed may see Seals, Guillemots, Great Crested Grebes, Little Egrets, even the occasional Dolphin or Basking Shark...
Wild Flowers & Foraging
On a walk through the countryside surrounding The White Cliffs Hotel you can find an amazing array of wild flowers. Remember, don't pick them please, there are some very rare orchids growing wild in these parts. If you fancy yourself as a budding 'survivalist' then we can arrange a foraging course from the White Cliffs Hotel to find local delicacies such as Sea Kale, Fungi and edible Seaweeds. We strongly advise that you take an expert with you on foraging 'missions' those delicious looking mushrooms may be deadly!
CULTURAL
Castles
Dover Castle - Just 4 miles away from The White Cliffs Hotel lies one of the largest castles in the country, strategically located at the shortest crossing point to continental Europe, Dover Castle has played a prominent part in national history. Its origins lie in the Iron Age, and a Roman Lighthouse and Anglo-Saxon church can still be seen within the grounds. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.
Walmer Castle - Walmer Castle is around 10 minutes drive from The White Cliffs Hotel it was built by Henry VIII in 1539-40 as an artillery fortress to counter the threat of invasion from Catholic France and Spain. It was one of three forts constructed to defend the Downs, an area of safe anchorage protected by the Goodwin Sands.
Deal Castle - Deal Castle, a little over 5 miles away form The White Cliffs Hotel, was built by Henry VIII in 1539-40 as an artillery fortress to counter the threat of invasion from Catholic France and Spain. It was the largest of three forts constructed to defend the area of safe anchorage known as the Downs.
Leeds Castle - Set in 500 acres of parkland in the midst of the Kent countryside around 40 minutes drive from The White Cliffs Hotel The castle takes it name not from the city of Leeds but from its first owner, a man named Leed, or Ledian, who built himself a wooden castle in 857. The first stone castle was built in 1119 on an island in the lake, and was later rebuilt and extended by Edward I, who added a set of outer walls, a barbican and the 'gloriette', a D shaped tower built on the smallest of the two islands in the lake.
Historical Tours - Visit www.firstlightcoast.com
Battle of Britain & Hellfire Corner - Visit www.firstlightcoast.com
Museums - Visit www.firstlightcoast.com
Arts
'Creative Space'
An Exhibition of Contemporary Art
FAMILIES
Older Kids & Teenagers -Visit www.firstlightcoast.com
Newbies & Toddlers -Visit www.firstlightcoast.com
The White Cliffs Hotel and The Bay Restaurant, High Street, St. Margaret's-at-Cliffe, Dover, Kent CT15 6AT
T: +44 01304 852 229 Freephone 0800 756 9964
F: 0800 756 5574 E: mail@thewhitecliffs.com
Wallett's Court Hotels Dover Kent. A hotel in Dover, Kent. Guest Accommodation in Dover at it's best.
