Deal to Dover, KENT - iconic clifftop walk and a pint at the pub

TECHNICAL NOTE:

Distance:10 miles (16 km) linear walk.

5-6 hours of walking time including breaks.

Terrain: Mostly easy, but with climbs out of St Margaret's Bay. Uneven terrain, so make sure to wear appropriate footwear.

From Deal on the East Kent Coast is a day of spectacular views on the country’s most celebrated coastline and three castles on route to Dover harbour.

With unrivalled, magnificent sights across the English Channel, the White Cliffs of Dover are one of the world’s most famous landmarks.

Deal Castle is the first point of interest. Deal Castle was built in the 16th century by order of Henry VIII and is one of the finest Tudor artillery castles in England.

The path heads to St Margaret’s Bay, whose claims to fame are being the first place in the British Isles to get the sunlight each morning and being home to both Ian Fleming, author of the much loved James Bond adventures and English playwright, Noel Coward.

Ascending once more past the Pines Garden, the South Foreland lighthouse stands high on the clifftop looking after the ships travelling along the Dover Strait.

The lighthouse, erected by Trinity House in 1843, was last used in 1988. Back on the clifftop, the sights of the Port of Dover and Dover Castle comes in view.

High on its hilltop, Dover Castle is a strategic hill fort used since the Iron Age and by successive generations when the Normans built the keep that stands today.

This fortress was last used to defend our country from invasion in the Second World War. The Battle of Britain was directed from the war tunnels below the Castle and remains undefeated from sea-bound invaders.

The Port of Dover regularly sees ferries leaving and arriving from Calais on the opposing French coast and cruise liners depart for faraway destinations.

The magnificent Esplanade on Dover Seafront has won a national award for architectural excellence and offers awe-inspiring views of the Castle and the busy harbour.

We will finish our hike at a pub next to the station for those who wish to have a bit more enjoyment for a well deserved fresh drink alcoholic or not.

FEE

£15

INCLUDED

Guided hike

NOT INCLUDED

Train

Anything else not mentioned above

TRAVEL

A return train trip from London St Pancras to Deal.

We will buy a discounted group return ticket at the station, it should cost us around £25.

WHAT TO BRING

- Cash for travel

- Packed lunch (there is an M&S at the station, come early if you want to buy something there)

- Hiking boot/shoes or running trainers

- Waterproof jacket

- Backpack, preferably with a waist belt

- Hiking or gym clothes

- Water bottle

- Some cash just in case

- Hiking poles (recommended but not a must)

ATTENTION:

1 - It is your responsibility to ensure you check messages on this event and private messages sent to you before the trip starts and up to the morning of the trip.

On occasions, meeting location, time and other details might have to be changed and the event could also be cancelled last minute in case of extreme weather or other unexpected events.

2 - If you arrive past the agreed time, you might have to buy a ticket at full price and we also might not be able to wait for you.

It will be impossible to catch up with us after we leave the station.