South Foreland Lighthouse walk
Walk information
4 miles (6.4km) approx. 8,000 steps. Allow 3 hours.
Discover the White Cliffs of Dover, the most iconic symbol of
our county, along this refreshing walk overlooking the English
Channel - one of the busiest stretches of water in the world.
View a 360 degree view of South Foreland
Starting at the entrance to the White Cliffs visitor centre, the
clearly marked route along the edge of the North Downs is available
in our Walks in East Kent pack.
The route, which forms part of the Saxon Shore Way, leads
around Langdon Hole and Fan Point towards South
Foreland Lighthouse .
This section of the cliff tops was an important part of
England's defences in the Second World War, and remnants of gun
emplacements and other wartime structures are still visible.
Langdon Hole was part of an underground system which also
included a radio command centre. The workings and tunnels are now
sealed.
The distinctive white lighthouse was built in 1843, to mark the
dangerous offshore banks of the Goodwin Sands. It was used by
Guglielmo Marconi for his work with radiowaves and received the
first ship-to-shore message from the East Goodwin lightship. It
also received the first international radio transmission from
Wimereux, in France, in 1899.
The lighthouse, which is conserved by the National Trust, is open
to the public between April and October.
The White Cliffs
Countryside Project was launched to preserve and enhance the
special coast and countryside of Dover and Shepway districts and to
make them accessible to all.
How to get there
Postcode starting point: CT16 1HJ
By car: From A2- follow
signs for Dover Castle from roundabout on to A258 (Castle Hill
Road), turn left in to Upper Road. From M20 and Dover - follow
signs for Dover Castle on to A258 (Castle Hill Road), turn right
into Upper Road.
Parking: Car parking is
available at the 'Gateway to the White Cliffs' visitor centre.
There is a charge payable for parking - please observe signs. Note:
Car park closes later in summer.
Bus: 15/15x
(Canterbury-Deal) hourly, Mon-Sat. 2 hourly, Sun.
Traveline: 0871 200 22 33.
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