You can't really see the White Cliffs from Dover anymore.

It's very easy to get a train to Dover for the day, and the castle is terrific. But the only way really to experience the cliffs (apart from getting a boat from Calais)is to get a bus from the centre out of town, for example to Langdon Cliffs, then follow the Saxon Shore Way signs back along the cliffs into town.

One set of directions at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/white-cliffs-dover/how-to-get-here/. There's no real difficulty in spending the morning at the Castle, then the afternoon walking the cliffs.

If you would like to see white cliffs close up, I really like Beachy Head and the area around it. You can google some images of the dramatic cliffs. Its not far from Eastbourne.

Some years ago I hiked up to the top of the White Cliffs right from Dover itself - from the Eastern Docks area - I walked right from Dover itself to the top and up top is wonderful - sweeping views of course and lots of tunnels and fortifications to explore - well it was some years ago and I could walk into the tunnels and bunkers - supposed they may be roped off today - bring a torch in case they are not.

Dover itself is a dump of a city IME but the Castle and the Cliffs experience and the port itself with ferries coming and going to me is a real great experience.

Dover Castle is well worth the trip.

PalenQ is correct the town of Dover itself is a dump but you could take a quick side trip to St Margaret's Bay to see the cliffs up close.

Or you could just watch this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM4to-IZEBQ

Thank you all! That is very helpful. We have been debating the "worth it" factor as we each try to see things that have been part of our wish lists.

alya--Can you drive to St. Margaret's bay?

Also, I came across another castle I wondered if anyone had seen--Bodiam Castle. It looks amazing (like everything else I find--these decisions are killing me!), but of course we can't fit it all in.

Sorry, maybe this should be its own thread, but thoughts on Bodiam? Even more--Bodiam versus Dover?

Bodiam Castle is everyone's idea of a fairytale moated castle. It is a ruin inside but the structure itself is lovely.
Dover Castle is not really a ruin and there is far more there to take in, from the medieval keep to the World War Two tunnels.
I thoroughly enjoyed both castles but if I only had time for one I would take Dover.

Rosemary

Bodiam is a beautiful storybook castle, set in a wide moat. The views from the towers are lovely. However, the interior is mostly in ruins, so if you're hoping to explore room and halls, etc. you may be disappointed. (I was not.)

Dover Castle on the other hand is well preserved, with interesting collections and exhibits. Some consider it the second castle in England, after the Tower.

sorry, I just watched the video. Clearly a car .

Rosemary and I posted almost the exact same opinions at the exact same time!

There are more wonderful castles/palaces in Kent/East Sussex than you could see in a week. Some are easily reachable by public transport from London (like Dover), some - you'd want a car (like Bodiam).

Check these out (near Dover) Deal Castle, Walmer Castle.

Elsewhere - Bodiam, Scotney Castle/Gardens, Hever, Penshurst Place, Chiddingstone, Bayham Abbey, Herstmonceux, Knole . . . And many others.

So it mostly depends on how long you have for the area.

Having been to both Dover (Castle and Cliffs) and Bodiam, I would agree that if you only have time for one, "do" Dover. Amazing castle. One time DH and I arrived in Dover via train, walked a LOOOONNNNGGGG way and UP to the White Cliffs National Trust park (Langdon Cliffs) and walked almost to the lighthouse--an incredibly cool walk, but I wish we'd taken a taxi from the station. We had wonderful views of the Cliffs and across to Calais. Some of our favorite of literally 10000's of pictures from several UK trips. People will say the best view OF the Cliffs is from the Channel, but we had nice vistas, too. It was way cool. Then we spent the afternoon in the Castle. Way cool. A couple years later we had our daughter and a car, and we drove to the park and DD and I walked along the Cliffside again; DH rested as we'd spent the morning in the Castle.

DH, DD and I went, via car, to Bodiam Castle and our BEST picture ever was taken there, reflection in the moat etc. (no, we don't post pix so I have no link so you'll just have to trust me!) It was a terrific day, too, but there's not as much to do there as at Dover.

I appreciate everyone's input! To those of you who have been to Bodiam, how long did you spend there? I know that will vary, but I am just trying to make it fit.

Those who have been to Dover, can you walk along the bottom of the cliffs at beach level or just along the top?

Hearing your reports of Dover makes me anxious to GO! However, coming from the SW USA and noting the temps in UK right now, I guess I can wait until July!

"can you walk along the bottom of the cliffs at beach level or just along the top?"

At Dover itself, there's next to no shore to walk along (it's a working port) Along the cliff, the shore (it's hard to call it a beach) is occasionally accessible, but often just for very short distances (and even then depending on tides), and there's no information displayed about how far it is to the next place you can get out.

Like all cliff coasts in the British Isles, the White Cliffs are convoluted. So you're forever getting a full frontal view from the top of the cliffs of other cliff faces half a mile or so away. The shore is very shingly, always uncomfortable to walk along and often downright unpleasant.

Bodiam--We spent from about opening until after late lunch I think.

White Cliff walks--what flanneruk said. You just want to walk along the top, really. And not near the edge!

Incidentally, the whole point of cliffs is being able to walk along them on a day like today

Temps around 10 (50 to those still in the 19th century), just enough wind to remind you it's a cliff, atomiser-like gentle rain. What cliffs were meant for

Dull and boring in midsummer, unless there's a decent shower

I still think Beachy Head might be a better option for cliff walking and it is the same distance from Bodiam castle as it is to Dover. You definitely get windswept and get spectacular views, there is a decent pub nearby as well which is lovely to go into esp if the day is miserable.

http://triggerpit.com/2011/12/29/breathtaking-white-cliffs-beachy-head-seven-sisters/

flanneruk: thanks for the clear explanation of beach/cliff area--makes more sense. The weather may be more boring, but we won't know the difference! Ignorance can be bliss . . .

texasbookworm: I appreciate the timeline on Bodiam. I need another 10 days as I am not only not able to cut anything, but keep finding places I should add. Sigh.

Odin: Love that link! The pictures are incredible and I love how they are varied to give a better feel. (any others wandering through this thread: give a look at the above link!) More options. I used to be decisive, but now I just flip-flop.

At St Margaret's I believe we could walk along some of the cliffs there - it is as I hazily recall from years ago a bay with a pebblye beach but at points you walk right up to the walls of white rocks at the base of the cliffs.

https://www.google.com/search?q=st+margaret's+white+cliffs&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=x-s4UZSWFevOyAGb-IHgBg&ved=0CF0QsAQ&biw=1600&bih=1099

The cliffs at St Margaret's