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Pre-Cruise Tour from London to Dover Port via Dover Castle

4.5 (18)

London, GB

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Experience the magic of medieval England on this exhilarating Pre-Cruise Tour from London to Dover Port via Dover Castle. Departing from your London hotel or Heathrow Airport, embark on a scenic journey through the picturesque countryside of Kent, known as the "Garden of England." Along the way, your knowledgeable host will regale you with tales of Dover Castle, a majestic fortress steeped in history and perched above the iconic White Cliffs of Dover. With approximately two hours to explore independently, immerse yourself in the opulent Great Tower, delve into the Secret Wartime Tunnels, and soak up the medieval grandeur of the immaculately kept gardens. Before heading to Dover Port for your cruise, take a moment to relax at the on-site café and admire the breathtaking views. Don't miss the opportunity to add a touch of enchantment to your journey and make lasting memories before setting sail.

About this experience

Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
6 hours
Suitable for 1-9 Participants
Private Tour, Small Group Tour
Guided Experience

Highlights

Explore the magnificent Dover Castle
Marvel at the medieval grandeur of the Great Tower
Discover the Secret Wartime Tunnels
Immerse yourself in the history of Napoleonic wars
Enjoy the tranquil gardens of Dover Castle

Included

Maximum of 2 items of hold luggage (23kg each) and 1 item of carry-on luggage (10kg) per person.
Services of a tour manager
One-way shared transfer
Photo stop at the battle of britain memorial

Not included

Gratuities
Food and drinks
Entrance to dover castle is not included

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Experience the perfect pre-cruise tour from London to Dover Port via Dover Castle. Embark on a scenic drive through the picturesque county of Kent, known as the "Garden of England," filled with lush orchards, vineyards, and hop fields. This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore one of the most impressive and historic castles in the world, Dover Castle. Discover its rich medieval history and its crucial role in various wars and battles throughout the centuries.

What to Expect

During this tour, you can expect to embark on a breathtaking journey from London to Dover Port, passing through the stunning landscapes of Kent. As you arrive in Dover, you'll have a photo stop at the Battle of Britain Memorial, offering panoramic views across the English Channel to France. Pay tribute to the brave pilots who fought in the skies above Kent during World War II. The highlight of the tour is the visit to Dover Castle, a magnificent fortress with parts dating back to Roman times. Explore the castle's grounds and witness its fascinating history, including its role as a vital command center during World War II's Operation Dynamo. Marvel at the ancient Roman lighthouse and enjoy outstanding views of the English Channel.

Who is This For?

This pre-cruise tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, castle lovers, and those seeking a unique and enriching experience before embarking on their cruise from Dover Port. It is suitable for all ages, allowing families, couples, and solo travelers to delve into the captivating history of Dover Castle and the surrounding area.

Why Book This?

Embarking on this pre-cruise tour provides an exceptional opportunity to explore the breathtaking landscapes of Kent, immerse yourself in the rich history of Dover Castle, and pay homage to the heroes of the Battle of Britain. The tour offers convenience and ease, combining your transfer from London to Dover Port with a visit to a world-renowned castle. Discover the secrets of Dover Castle, from its medieval origins to its pivotal role in World War II.

Good to Know

It is advisable to reserve your entry tickets for Dover Castle online when booking to avoid queues. Please note that accessing the castle from the coach park requires an uphill walk, which may not be suitable for individuals with walking difficulties. Upon arrival at the port, porters will take care of your luggage, ensuring a seamless transfer to your cruise ship.

Reviews

Travelers who have experienced this pre-cruise tour rave about the stunning landscapes of Kent and the impressive history of Dover Castle. They praise the knowledgeable tour guides, who bring the castle's stories to life, and appreciate the convenience of combining their transfer with a memorable visit to this iconic landmark. Overall, reviewers express their satisfaction with the tour's organization, professionalism, and the unique insights gained during the experience.

About this product

How long before the event do I need to book?

You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

At least one adult or senior required per booking

End point

Your Itinerary

London

Additional information

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Each person is allowed a maximum of 2 items of hold luggage (75x51x28 cm - 23kg each) and 1 item of carry-on luggage (55x40x20 cm - 10kg each). If you bring extra luggage it will not fit in the vehicle. In this instance you will be responsible for arranging separate transportation for your luggage to your cruise ship.
Should you wish to bring any mobility aids (wheelchairs or walkers) you MUST contact the operator in advance and provide full dimensions and weight. These items must be able to be folded and stored in the luggage hold. Wheelchairs must be counted as 1 item of your hold luggage.

Reviews

(18)

4.5 (18)

James_S

The emphasis was certainly on arriving at our destination in Dover on time so we could embark on cruise ships. Picking us up at our London hotel and the handling of our luggage was exceptional and appreciated. The sightseeing service felt like a throw in. Again can’t complain too much as getting us to our ship for embarkation was much more important!

Frederick_K

The trip was well organized with good communication regarding pick up times. There was no guiding in Dover castle and that would have been helpful. More time in the memorial also needed .

Kendra_H

Exceptional! I would highly recommend for anyone looking for a transportation option to Dover. They were kind and courteous to all passengers including those who were late. They waited for them to make sure nobody was left behind.

Leslie_N

We were misinformed of the pick up time which led to a very stressful morning not knowing if we were going to be picked up at all. Didn’t have very much time at the castle because of so many other pick ups. Horrible communication between customer service and us.

elizabeth_f

We got picked up at our hotel at 7:15 am, got to Heathrow at 9:15 after picking ip others, hit traffic on our way to Dover, bus driver needed two breaks. Just tooooo long! We were exhausted from the length of the ride! Had no stops for the battlefield. Would not recommend for the cost! Bus driver and guide were bery nice and professional, but I didn’t care for it. I should have hired a private car for less money!!!

Doombuggie

We booked the hotel to Dover cruise port transfer with a side-excursion to Dover Castle. Sharon was our guide and Paul our bus driver. They collect you from your hotel in smaller vehicle and pool you at a larger location to get on a large motor coach (which for us was near the Tower of London). First driver was actually early and was great as he pointed out a lot of things during that short trip (unfortunately I didn't grab his name). The only hiccup of the day was that there was some mistake done with the bookings and several tour participants were scheduled on this bus but they shouldn't have been given where their hotel was located. So we sat on the bus and waited probably a good hour+ trying to track these people down and then eventually to wait for them to grab a cab to where we were. I felt bad for Sharon and Paul as they made the best of it and I know it was a very stressful situation for them. Clearly International Friends bakes extra time into their schedules as we still got to the castle on time (I would assume this is typically to account for for traffic delays and not administrative mistakes like this one though). Please note that you should have your cruise luggage tags affixed to your luggage by the time you are picked up at your hotel. Once they drop off the people that purchased the Dover Castle excursion, they take the other people plus all of the luggage to the porters at the port, then come back and pick up the side-excursion people and take them to the port. If you choose to carry on your own luggage (vs using the porters) and are doing the castle excursion they said that they will leave any untagged luggage on the bus when they initially go to the port so that you can take it yourself later, but clearly this isn't the norm. On our bus, one person had had luggage that wasn't tagged (intentionally) so they did not give it over to the porters, but this clearly threw off the guide/driver (they were worried it was a mistake). Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to use International Friends again and appreciated the ease of the hotel-to-port transfer.

Kensey_D

The driver was an hour late, but it wasn’t their fault. The air museum was nice. The castle was pretty, but if you’re someone with mobility issues it’s definitely a hike to go see it.

Kristen_B

Only issue, not enough time at Dover Castle. We only had 2 hours there but you need 3 hours. It's super interesting.

Heather_P

Bus driver very helpful..guide cancelled ..long walk and 122 steep steps to get into castle but beautiful views..not a good tour for elderly.

extramochafilm

Only disappointed I didn't purchase this for both before and after cruise! Guide and driver were excellent.

Collected by Evendo & our supplier partners

2024-07-06 15:29