Monday was a bank holiday in the UK. It's not like in the US where a specific event is celebrated. It is simply a holiday where banks and many business are closed.
We took advantage of the day and invited our friends, Natalie & Jimmy to go with us to see the White Cliffs of Dover located on the southeast coast of England.
We couldn't have asked for better weather!
Next to the cliffs is the very busy port of Dover going back and forth between France several times a day. It's fascinating to watch the ferries and hear sounds of the loud speaker carried by the wind.
Our friend, Jimmy taking in the view.
Natalie taking a photo op.
The Cliffs are part of the National Trust and parking is free for membership holders.
There are several walking paths taking you on higher ground further above the cliffs through fields or closer to the edge.
There are several walking paths taking you on higher ground further above the cliffs through fields or closer to the edge.
Luckily my kids are at a good age and have a healthy fear of heights and were careful. My legs went weak any time they got too close for my comfort though!
The cliffs are eroding and have been known for large chunks of the cliff face to fall off.
Taking a peek down below!
From the visitor centre it's a 2 mile walk to the South Foreland Lighthouse. Unfortunately, I have no photos of it as the whole thing was covered in scaffolding. It looks to be a beautiful lighthouse that is open for public access for a minimal fee.
Path's end
Attached to the lighthouse is the former lighthouse keepers cottage, now known as Mrs. Knott's tea room serving sweets, light lunch and drinks. A very quaint and nice treat after our 2 mile trek and picnic lunch.
Four miles of walking can really do you in! Not a bad spot for a 20 second nap!
Don't worry, there was a wide ledge below us we were resting our feet on.
Have you been to Dover or plan to go one day?
Linking up with my friends for another round of Travel Tuesday!
Taking a peek down below!
From the visitor centre it's a 2 mile walk to the South Foreland Lighthouse. Unfortunately, I have no photos of it as the whole thing was covered in scaffolding. It looks to be a beautiful lighthouse that is open for public access for a minimal fee.
Path's end
Attached to the lighthouse is the former lighthouse keepers cottage, now known as Mrs. Knott's tea room serving sweets, light lunch and drinks. A very quaint and nice treat after our 2 mile trek and picnic lunch.
Four miles of walking can really do you in! Not a bad spot for a 20 second nap!
Don't worry, there was a wide ledge below us we were resting our feet on.
Have you been to Dover or plan to go one day?
Linking up with my friends for another round of Travel Tuesday!
I wish I would have taken the ferry from Dover instead of Hull! The views are amazing and you can almost see France from there, right? I really need to visit!
ReplyDeleteI understand that you can on a clear day. The information boards at the visitor centre said the visibility was good, however I thought there was quite a bit of haze in the middle of the channel that obstructed the view. Now I want to see the cliffs from the water! :)
ReplyDeleteLooks so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow so beautiful! And the tea room seems like the perfect end to the day (of course I'm always up for tea!). I hope to visit some day soon!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos. There was an Agatha Christie novel set there and it was on television last year. I would be nervous letting my children walk there too!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots! Especially the family pictures - those are framers, for sure! I'm so glad you had a pretty day!
ReplyDeleteIt is, and you come up over a hill and you get to take it all in again like you're seeing it for the first time. It's breath-taking!
ReplyDeleteI'm always up for tea too! It's such a sweet little place that they've put a lot of effort in to make it really nice and not just some cheapy place with stale scones, which happens sometimes. Not here though! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I had just recently watched BBC's Emma and the last shot is of Mr Knightly taking Emma to the sea. It looked like the Dover, but I couldn't be sure. Can you imagine wearing all those layers in their dresses and the men's attire, walking around Dover? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! We would not have wanted to do it if it was chucking down rain! ;) It's always sightly windy too. Luckily it was perfect!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! I was at Dover on Friday when I caught the ferry en route to Amsterdam. I love the white cliffs. Some of these shots remind me a tiny bit of the Cliffs of Moher!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting that you actually got to walk "on" the cliffs! I got to see them from a tour bus a few years ago and they're so beautiful, but I'd love to go back and walk the footpath, too.
ReplyDeletebeautiful! looks like a lovely way to take advantage of a bank holiday! those cliffs are stunning views and that water is so pretty!! i love that last shot where your son is looking back ;)
ReplyDeleteCan I just say that I'm slightly in love with that flower wallpaper! Does that make me an old lady? Probably :) Anyway, your photos are gorgeous. Dover is such a lovely place and it looks like you guys had an awesome time!
ReplyDeleteI've always, always wanted to see the White Cliffs of Dover! Looks like you picked a gorgeous day to visit. And, cute family :)
ReplyDeleteI so want to visit these cliffs, and I was just telling my bf that and he said apparently they are crumbling so we better go soon! I think he's exaggerating the rate they are crumbling but it's sad to think that eventually they may be gone!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great day out to an iconic place!! And gorgeous weather to boot! I LOVE how in Britain there is always somewhere to have tea after you've had a walk!! More tea rooms everywhere else in the world please!
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to make that happen! :) Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? Me too! We can be old lady together! Lol!! And thank you!
ReplyDeleteI've read they are crumbling at a rate of 1 centimeter a year and every once in awhile a football pitch size will fall into the sea. I think the last time it happened was a year or two ago. There are some buildings very close to the edge. I wonder how long they have before they have to move them or they fall in! The cliffs slope up in some places, so it won't be going anywhere anytime soon. Maybe they just won't always be white.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun! And good weather is always appreciated, as you know! ;) I was thinking too, how I love that tea is never very far away, with SCONES!! ;)
ReplyDelete