Cruise Diva Goes
Ashore: Sights to see, things to do & where to shop
Dover,
England
Southeast
of London, it's said that the "real" England of Dover
beckons. The picturesque villages, castles, and stately mansions
with formal gardens set in the lush rolling Kent countryside belie
its strategic importance to the defense of Great Britain. Beneath
the famous White Cliffs of Dover lie a labyrinth of Secret Wartime
Tunnels where Vice Admiral Ramsey and Sir Winston Churchill
masterminded the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940.
Diversions
Arriving
by plane, Gatwick airport is a forty-five minute drive by car and
Heathrow airport is about an hour and forty-five minutes from Dover.
Both airports have frequent trains to London for connections to
Kent. A recent innovation is charter flights to London Manston
airport, just thirty minutes by coach from the Dover cruise ship
terminal.
For
passengers arriving pre-cruise or planning an English holiday
following their cruise, the Dover area has much to offer in the way
of historic sites. Dover Castle, an imposing Norman fortress, was
built to protect the south coast of England from invaders. Inside
the castle, visitors can experience a reenactment of the "Siege
of 1216" and a recreation of the Tudor Court preparing the
great keep for the arrival of King Henry VIII. Deep within the
adjacent White Cliffs, the Secret Wartime Tunnels are a testament to
the bravery of the English people and the vital role played by Dover
Castle during World War II. Throughout the tunnels, the drama of
England at war is reconstructed through sight and sound during a
tour through the Command Center, the Anti-Aircraft Operations Room,
the hospital and operating theater, the Repeater Station, and
Telephone Exchange. At the height of the war, there were more
telephones inside the tunnels than in the entire city of Dover.
Cross the moat for a stroll through
the elegantly furnished private royal apartments of Walmer Castle, a
Tudor Rose castle and favorite of HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen
Mother. The formal gardens are delightful, particularly the one
presented to the Queen Mother on the occasion of 95th birthday. It's
said she was particularly pleased with this gift because people had
always given her flowers but she'd never before received an entire
garden. The tearoom serves delicious homemade scones and cakes.
Described by Lord Conway as
"the loveliest castle in the world," Leeds Castle is
surrounded by 500 acres of lovingly tended parklands. Built over a
thousand years ago, the castle was both a Norman stronghold and
residence of six of the medieval Queens of England. Lovingly
preserved by Lady Baillie, its last private owner, it is a
"living castle," displaying collections of medieval and
renaissance tapestries, antique furniture, paintings, and
porcelains. Tours pass through the Norman Cellar, the medieval
Queen's Rooms, the Henry VIII banqueting Hall, and the Chapel of
Edward I. Exhibiting the rich and varied life of this magnificent
structure, the walk continues through the twentieth century phase of
the castle when it passed from royal ownership. An innovation of
Leeds Castle is its accessibility for visitors with disabilities.
Shopping
Bargain hunters flock to De
Bradelei Wharf in Dover and McArthur Glen Designer Outlets in nearby
Ashford, two designer outlets that boast 30-50% off retail prices on
fashions and house wares. Antiques and porcelains can be found in
shops tucked into village nooks and crannies. Don't leave without a
tin of authentic English tea.
Back to Europe,
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