White Rocks of Dover

Dover is an English city and one of the largest ports in the south-east of England. Chalk cliffs on both sides of Kent county is the symbol of incredible power. They defense the English shore from invaders and at the same time meet seamen who come back home. These white giants reach more than 100m in height. They are the last thing passengers see when leave the continent and the first one they see when they return. During the WWII British pilots might feel safe only when they saw the white line of the Dover rocks on the horizon. It's exactly them who called England "Albion" - "The White Island".

The first thing you see when you come to Dover by land is the Dover castle. Its strategical location on the top of the hill makes it visible from everywhere.

Embankment

So clean and white with its Victorian facades

Unusual lanterns

Stylish indeed

General view of the Dover beach. In the center of the picture - the castle and St. Maria church may be seen, white rocks and the post to the right.

14 millions of passengers travel between France and England annually. Though many travellers prefer trains.

The Dover castle is often called " a key to England"

Fortifications we can observe today are dated the XII century though the fort on this place already existed in the Iron Age. 

During the war the castle was an important military base and a command center. Tunnels made in rocks back in the wars of Napoleon turned to a bomb shelter and an underground hospital.

Day and night soldiers were standing guard with binoculars watching ships, planes and submarines - their own and of an enemy.

From one of the viewing points one may observe the rocks, the city and the port.

Ideal for tilt shift photography

Modern radar masts

All in all there is much to see on the territory of the Dover castle, one ticket costs 16 pounds and 14, 40 for students. Apart from the fortress itself you may visit bunkers,church, tunnels, war museum...

Garages right in the rock

But soon the civilization disappears giving way to nature.

Langdon cliffs

France is 32 km away