Recreation
and LeisureDover town centre has comprehensive shopping facilities with many national outlets represented in the district. De Bradelei Wharf, Kent's leading designer outlet is located within the superb waterfront setting of Dover Marina. Whitfield Retail Park, located on the outskirts of Dover, offers hypermarket style food shopping.
Deal and Sandwich are home to a wide selection of smaller specialist shops, with larger food retail outlets on the perimeter of the town centres.
Larger shopping areas are available at the cathedral
city of Canterbury (24km), the county town of Maidstone (66km) and Bluewater
at Dartford (103km) which is Europe's largest shopping complex.
Dover District is home to a number of castles including
Dover, Deal and Walmer Castle, there are the ancient remains of a Roman
Fort at Richborough and the award winning Bronze Age Boat displayed at
Dover Museum.
There is a wide choice of bistros and restaurants,
which is complemented by cinemas, pubs and nightclubs. Street theatre
is unique to the area, and will transport you back in time to life of
smuggling, piracy and witches. The Marlowe Theatre at Canterbury stages
a comprehensive programme throughout the year, hosting touring shows from
London's West End, ballet, orchestral concerts, comedy acts and live theatre.
The coastal environment of the district offers numerous opportunities to enjoy open-air recreation. Wander along England's edge over the White Cliffs, walk the promenade at Deal, or alternatively through the medieval streets of Sandwich Quay.
Sports centres in the area offer a range of indoor
and outdoor facilities for the public, inclusive of swimming pools, health
suites, and gymnasia, athletic grounds, tennis courts and sports pitches.
Dover Marina provides an outstanding venue for
pleasure boats or yachts either for short stay or permanent mooring. Along
with a total of 407 berths and a wealth of facilities, the Marina is superbly
situated, and as the closest UK marina to mainland Europe, it is ideal
not just for UK craft owners but for Continental day-trippers and longer-stay
visitors. These three quality, berthing areas offer 24 hour access and
re-fuelling, have CCTV surveillance systems, and are equipped with electricity
and fresh water supplies.
The coastline encourages water sports and there
are local clubs and designated areas for water-skiing, wind surfing, canoeing
and scuba diving. Sea angling is popular from piers, promenades and boats.
The Dover District has four 18-hole golf courses, with the most challenging course being the famous Royal St. George's at Sandwich. Prince's and Royal Cinque Ports Golf Clubs boast equally fine links courses, and are complemented nicely by Walmer and Kingsdown, a downland course.
Driving range facilities are available at Stonelees
Golf Centre at Ramsgate and Greensole, Manston.
Dover's frequent passenger ferries and rail services put a day-trip to France and Belgium within easy reach.
Contact Economic Development:
E-mail: econdev@dover.gov.uk
Tel: 01304 872043
