Dover is a great place to visit from London – a tour from here will take you through some of England’s most gorgeous countryside, sometimes stopping in beautiful, quaint villages and of course you have Dover as the final destination too.
Dover castle is a bit of an interesting castle – it’s not just for fans of medieval Britain but it’s also of interest for anyone who cares for World War Two history.
What you might not know is that the castle was used as the mastermind hub for Operation Dynamo, otherwise known as the rescue of soldiers from Dunkirk. if you’ve seen the film you’ll know what an operation that was!
The white cliffs of Dover are iconic too – seen so many times in films and tv shows! Okay, you won’t get a full view from the sea but the guides will take you to places where you can see them.
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Canterbury and it’s UNESCO listed Cathedral is almost always included in these tours as well and it’s a classic British small city where you can wander the medieval streets and enjoy England at its best!
Our Top Pick
Best Dover Tour from London
Rated 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This full day tour from London is our top pick and is highly rated. On your trip you’ll see:
- Canterbury Cathedral
- Dover Castle
- White Cliffs of Dover
- Small English villages
A note from the writer: Hey! I’m Kirsty and I’m a UK travel expert. Although I live here I still travel around England as a tourist every year – there’s so much to see! Shout (or comment below) if you have any questions about your trip and I’ll get back to you ASAP.
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I’ve visited Dover a few times, including inside the castle and I’ve always loved the tour inside where you can see the secret tunnels! And seeing the cliffs just are just inspiring!
If you’re thinking of taking on of the many Dover tours from London then this post is for you – I’ll be looking at some of the best trips on offer so you can see the best one for you!
Table of Contents
Best Dover Tours from London: our top 5!
Note – often tickets for inside Dover Castle and for Canterbury Cathedral are NOT included in the tour price so check if that’s the case and add in a bit extra to your budget if you want to explore more.
1. Small Group Canterbury, Dover Castle and Cliffs & Kent Villages Day Tour
5.0 out of 5.0 (86 reviews) – run by The English Bus
This small group tour from London to Dover is a great way to see the sights of the area without having to be part of too big a group or paying a lot for the privilege of a private tour.
Because it’s such a small group it’s easy to explore the many places on your itinerary for the day. You’ll visit:
- Greenwich
- Chilham Village
- The White Cliffs of Dover
- Dover Castle
- Canterbury and the Cathedral
It really packs a lot into your day and sees all the important sights. You can certainly tick off a lot of English must sees on this day!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The cliffs of Dover are incredibly beautiful, and the sound and smell of the ocean is breathtaking, then Canterbury Cathedral and small town are so charming, lovely tour. Andy our guide was so knowledgeable and nice and friendly
Victoria_C – October 2022 – see more reviews here
2. Full Day – White cliffs of Dover, Canterbury Cathedral and Dover Castle tour
4.0 out of 5.0 (48 reviews) – run by Day Tours London
Spend a day away from London on this tour where you’ll explore the small city of Canterbury and spend a couple of hours looking around and visiting the Cathedral if you choose to.
Canterbury is a really lovely, walkable place with plenty of places to eat, shop and enjoy.
You’ll then drive on to Dover where you’ll see the iconic white cliffs and the English Channel ahead of you. On clear days you can also see France!
If you choose you can also spend some time exploring the wonderful Dover Castle as well.
3. Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle and Cliffs tour from London
Rated 4.0 out of 5.0 ( 198 reviews) – Run by Anderson Tours
This tour to Dover from London packs in all of the big hitters but doesn’t try and add too much extra. This can be good since walking round the Dover portion can be hilly and there’s really plenty to see already!
First you’ll head to Dover Castle and have time to explore inside and the many medieval and secret war tunnels and perhaps grabbing a snack at one of the cafes there.
You’ll then be taken for a walk to get a good glimpse of the White Cliffs of Dover, the channel and hopefully over to France!
Canterbury and it’s beautiful cathedral is the last stop of the day where you have time to explore the city, grab a cream tea or just wander round some shops before heading back to London.
4. Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Dover Cliffs from London
This Dover tour from London is a little different – it takes you to the city of Dover to see the amazing white cliffs, but instead of spending time in Dover Castle (although you might still be able catch a glimpse of it) this tour takes you to another castle in the area – Leeds Castle.
Often called one of the most beautiful castles in England, Leeds Castle is a spectacular country estate with over 900 years of history.
After visiting Leeds Castle you’ll head on to Canterbury to explore a gorgeous small English city with shops and cafes to get that classic British food! Afternoon tea anyone?
Finally you’ll head to Dover to catch sight of the White Cliffs of Dover, a huge symbol of the country for people returning home or leaving!
5. Private tour to Leeds Castle, Canterbury and White Cliffs of Dover
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 (15 reviews) – Run by Tailored Tours
Finally we have a wonderful private tour to Dover from London and it takes in all of the places you might like to visit. The best bit is that because it’s a private tour it can really be tailored to what you’d like to do and see.
You’ll start your day by heading to Canterbury and the wonderful UNESCO listed heritage Cathedral before heading onwards to Dover and seeing those iconic White Cliffs.
Finally you’ll have time to visit and explore Leeds Castle (pictured above) and the beautiful grounds and lake that surround it before being escorted back to your London hotel.
Being a private tour this one is a little more expensive than the others but that is reflected in the personal nature of it and you can truly make the day your own!
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🏴 England Travel FAQ 🏴
Do I need insurance for traveling to England?
YES! I always recommend people take travel insurance when exploring the world!
Check Travel Insurance Master for quote comparisons from different providers.
Do I need a car for visiting England?
YES – If you’re wanting to explore England fully then a car is worthwhile. It will get you to all the small villages, countryside sights and all on your own timetable
I recommend DiscoverCars to compare car rental prices in England
How to book accommodation in England?
For hotels I recommend Booking.com
For apartments and cottages check out VRBO
Will my phone work in England?
Perhaps – it depends if you have roaming enabled and beware this can be an expensive way to use your phone.
If you need a SIM for use in the UK I recommend GiffGaff which you can get and set up before traveling.
What’s the best guidebook for England?
I really like the Lonely Planet Guidebooks
Where to get flights for England
Skyscanner is my first port of call for finding cheap flights to England.
Do I need a visa for England?
Many countries don’t need a visa for visiting England as tourists (USA, Canada, Aus, NZ and Europe) – it’s always best to check first though.
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