South Foreland Lighthouse Walk
St Margaret's at Cliffe, Coast
Photo: Mustang Joe, CC0This 4 mile there-and-back route follows the top of the White Cliffs from the National Trust visitor centre to the Victorian South Foreland Lighthouse. Look out for wartime gun emplacements, Channel views to France and a stop at the lighthouse tearoom when it is open. It suits confident walkers and older children and takes two to three hours.
Highlights
- Clifftop views across the Channel to France
- Ends at South Foreland Lighthouse, used by Marconi
- Second World War remains along the way
- Part of the King Charles III England Coast Path and Saxon Shore Way
Good to know
- The lighthouse opens to the public between April and October
- Paths can be very slippery when wet
- Martin Mill is the nearest station, about 2 miles away
Getting there
South Foreland Lighthouse Walk, White Cliffs visitor centre, Langdon Cliffs, Dover, Kent, CT16 1HJParking: Starts from the White Cliffs visitor centre car park.
Get directionsChecked on 15 October 2026 against explorekent.org. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
Nearby
Image: National TrustFan Bay Deep Shelter
Fan Bay Deep Shelter is a network of Second World War tunnels dug into the White Cliffs in 1940 and 1941, explored on a hard hat and head torch tour with National Trust guides. The visit also takes in two early sound mirrors and the excavated number 3 gun emplacement. It suits older children, teens and adults keen on history, and takes around 90 minutes plus the clifftop walk.
Image: National TrustThe White Cliffs of Dover
The National Trust's stretch of the famous chalk cliffs starts from the visitor centre at Langdon Cliffs, with clifftop paths and big views over the Channel and the port. Walk as far as you like along the coast path, stop at the café, or carry on to South Foreland Lighthouse. It suits walkers, families and dog owners, and a visit easily fills half a day.
Image: Dover CastleDover Castle
Dover Castle sits high above the White Cliffs, with a medieval Great Tower above ground and a network of secret wartime tunnels below. Climb the tower to discover the court of King Henry II, explore the Under Siege exhibition and let children loose in the siege play area. Give it a full day.