Accommodation in Dover

Famous for its White Cliffs, Dover, the closest town in Kent to the continent, is the gateway to England. Now the world's busiest ferry port, it is famed for its range of defences and military architecture. Dover Castle has a dramatic past, from here the French were rebuffed in 1216, and the evacuation of Dunkirk was masterminded in 1940. Today you can see displays centring on the Second World War. Visit the Old Town Gaol to experience prison life as it was during Victorian times. Dover also offers an excavated Roman fort, the extensive Western Heights Napoleonic fortifications, and the recently enhanced exhibition at the White cliffs experience.

Dover Roman Painted House

The Roman Painted House, the finest Roman House on show in Britain, was discovered by Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit. Twenty five years of excavation across ancient Dover by the Unit have uncovered 50 major structures. The Painted House was the best preserved and is now a major tourist attraction. Built about A.D. 200 it formed part of a large mansion or official hotel, for travellers crossing the Channel. It stood outside the great naval fort of the Classis Britannica, but in A.D. 270 it was demolished by the Roman army during the construction of a larger fort. Three of its main rooms were then buried substantially intact under its ramparts.

Hotels near Dover Roman Painted House
Blakes of Dover BandB Accommodation		from £40.00
Hostel Alma and Cafe Express		from £30.00
Priory Guest House		from £45.00
Dover's Restover Bed and Breakfast		from £42.00
County Hotel Dover		from £40.00

Howletts Wild Animal Park

Set in seventy acres of beautiful parkland, Howletts is without doubt one of the best wild animal parks in the world. New for 2006 - Watch Giant anteaters and tamanduas at work and play, and meet our new family of lion-tailed macaques.

Hotels near Howletts Wild Animal Park
The Evenhill Hotel and Restaurant		from £68.00
The Pilgrims Rest		from £55.00
Bridge Manor Hotel and Country Club		from £99.00
YHA Canterbury		from £12.40
Best Western Abbots Barton Hotel		from £59.50

St Margaret's Museum

The Museum has a wealth of local and maritime interest and an exhibition of Noel Coward who was once a celebrated resident of St. Margaret's in the early 1950's. On a visit, one can learn that for centuries St, Margaret's Bay was the haunt of smugglers, and the coastline was the scene of many wrecks, lying as it does off the Goodwin Sands. As France is only twenty miles across the English Channel, this part of the coast has seen a good deal of military activity. At the time of the Napoleonic Wars, invasion was considered a distinct possibility and the Foreland Valley was occupied by troop encampments. Some part of the fortifications are still visible today. In fact the land on which the Pines Garden is situated was an early 19th century military camp site.

Hotels near St Margarets Museum
St. Margaret's Hotel		from £49.00
The White Cliffs Hotel		from £79.00
Wallett's Court Country House Hotel		from £90.00
The Swingate Inn		from £45.00
Swingate Inn and Hotel		from £45.00

Metropole Galleries

Folkestone's Metropole Galleries are situated high up on cliffs overlooking the English Channel, with views of France. The Galleries are beautifully ornate spaces and have a year round programme of high quality exhibitions. Established in the early 60s, the galleries have shown work by a range of leading artists over the past forty years. These have included Henry Moore, Bridget Riley, Roy Lichtenstein, John Bratby, Derek Jarman, Phyllida Barlow, Elisabeth Frink, Fred Cuming, Anthony Caro, Joan Miro, Andy Goldsworthy, Ivan Hitchins, Stephen Farthing, Craigie Aitchinson, Tim Head, Bill Woodrow, Patrick Caulfield, Carel Weight, Frank Auerbach, Maggi Hambling, Fay Godwin, Paul Nash, Victore Pasmore, Ron Haseldon and Eduardo Paolozzi. The Metropole Galleries provides an education programme for schools, teachers and families. Activities are specially designed for each exhibition by practicing artists and teachers. The aim is to enable understanding by helping participants develop the critical awareness and confidence to look at and interpret contemporary art. Workshops encourage dialogue and promote visual literacy.

Hotels near Metropole Galleries
The Grand		from £90.00
The Burlington Hotel - Folkestone		from £38.00
Folkestone Prime Court Hotel		from £30.00
The Lismore Hotel		from £48.00
The Relish		from £65.00

Other Attraction near Dover

• Port Lympne Wild Animal Park - Whether you are interested in wild animals, historic houses or magnificent scenery, Port Lympne has something for everyone.
• Museum of Canterbury with Rupert Bear Museum - A fascinating time-walk of Canterbury's 2000 year story, from the building of the Roman Town to the Rupert Bear Gallery.
• Ramsgate Maritime Museum - Ramsgate Maritime Museum focuses strongly on Ramsgate and its immediate environs, with a brief introduction to the rest of the region's maritime past.