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Recreation and Leisure

Shopping

Dover town centre has comprehensive shopping facilities with many national outlets represented in the district. Whitfield Retail Park is located on the outskirts of Dover and offers hyper-market style food shopping plus large DIY outlets and a fast food restaurant.

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.

History & Heritage

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.

Arts and Culture

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.

Sport

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.

Sailing

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.

Water sports and Beaches

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.

Golf

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.

Cross-Channel Visits

Dover's frequent passenger ferries and rail services put a day-trip to France and Belgium within easy reach.

Contact 

Email: econdev@dover.gov.uk
Tel: 01304 872121