Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse #CountryKids

We’ve been having fun at the weekends recently, but it’s all been pretty much indoors, so for this week’s #CountryKids post I’m going back to our Dover trip from last October.  You may recall that we visited the Louis Blériot Memorial next to Dover Castle.  We’d had a brief visit there before walking to South Foreland Lighthouse.

The Lighthouse is managed by the National Trust and can be walked to from either St Margarets Bay (pay and display car park) – approx 1 mile walk, or from the NT White Cliffs of Dover visitor centre, with a 2 mile cliff top walk.  Although we were staying in St Margarets Bay, as we were already in Dover it made sense to take in the stunning White Cliffs as part of our adventure.

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

If you are not a National Trust member it costs £3.00 to park in the car park. The cliff top walk is open all year round.  The paths are not totally buggy friendly, but there are baby carriers available on loan at the visitor centre, along with toilets and a coffee shop.

Monkey was eager to set off across the cliff tops.  He’s seen a lighthouse from the distance before, but South Foreland Lighthouse would be the first one he’d been inside.  My intrepid explorer was off.

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

We couldn’t have asked for better weather.  It was the end of October, the sun was shining and considering we were on top of the cliffs it really wasn’t windy.  But we could see that that wasn’t always the case!

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

Monkey was amazed that the wind could ‘bend’ trees or shrubs permanently.  He was also fascinated with the ‘white earth’.  Mummy why is is white?  It’s chalk Monkey just like you use on your blackboard at home.  Wow!

The views were stunning, we could look back to the castle (post WILL be coming up shortly on Dover Castle) and over to the Ferry Terminal – heaven for Monkey.  We were all staggered by just how busy Dover is – ferry’s in and out all day long in a constant stream. It was quite fascinating to watch really.

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

We continued on our walk and Monkey was amazed by the sheer size of the cliffs.  Mummy tried not to have kittens when he and Daddy wanted to get closer to the edge!

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

It really was breathtaking and quite awe-inspiring.  You might have seen this photograph in my #Alphabetphoto post in the week. What a sight – the White Cliffs of Dover at their best.

Whilst we were walking to South Foreland Lighthouse we noticed some work was being carried out on the cliff tops – Diggers Mummy!!! Cue one very excited boy.

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

We didn’t realise at the time what the project was – but it sounds so exciting!  In May 2015 Fan Bay Deep Shelter will open to the public – tunnels and sound mirrors are in the process of being restored.  Looks like we will need to return to Dover this year.

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

We continued on our walk, we could see the South Foreland Lighthouse ahead.

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

We were nearly at the end of our 2 mile cliff top walk and Monkey had done really well.  It was late afternoon and we’d been on our feet all day since arriving at Dover Castle first thing in the morning.  I was really proud of him.  No moaning, just lots of chatting as we continued on our way.

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

South Foreland Lighthouse was certainly worth the walk.  The Lighthouse and the quaint Mrs Knott’s Tea-Room open again at weekends from next month, and then daily again from April.

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

Time was getting on, and I was conscious that we still needed to walk back along the cliff paths to the car.  We headed straight inside the lighthouse – first one to the top gets to pick which cake to eat!

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

He was fascinated by the working of the lighthouse and the light effects of the lens – lots of information for a little boy to take in.  Mummy, a rainbow!

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

It was worth the climb!

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

Although Monkey was really more interested in the prospect of cake by this time!

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

Can I have chocolate cake please Mummy?  Yes, I think you’ve deserved it Monkey!

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

It was good to see that visibility would remain good.

Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse

After a quick refreshment stop it was time to head back to the car.  We’d had a wonderful day exploring the sights in Dover.  Monkey was getting tired and the sun was getting lower in the sky.  It took a little longer to walk back than on our journey out, but we’d all enjoyed being in the fresh air.

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

16 thoughts on “Walking to South Foreland Lighthouse #CountryKids

  1. Stunning photographs, what an amazing walk. You’ve made me want to do it now 🙂 Well done to Monkey walking all that way. #CountryKids

  2. Hi! I’ve popped over from country kids.I would love to go up into a lighthouse with my kids.Such a fascinating and educational place to visit with all that natural beauty around.

  3. Looks fab; I’ve only ever been through Dover on my way to France but it sounds like there’s quite a lot to see. I love visiting lighthouses too, amazing how hot they can get up in the top part!

  4. What a wonderful post and stunning photos throughout. I love the “white earth” and Monkey did well on the walk and the climb, chocolate cake definitely in order! Thank you for sharing a lovely adventure on Country Kids

  5. Its been years since I have been to Dover, such gorgeous photos. Monkey did really welll too #countrykids

  6. That looks lovely. Beautiful photo’s-I can tell just from these how much you enjoyed it. A part of the world I’ve only ever passed by on my way somewhere else-definitely looks worth detouring for to actually visit properly x

  7. What a lovely day out! Drive through the Eurotunnel, one hour further and you are at our house 🙂 I should definitely go to the Calais side cliffs to show the toddler all the chalk rocks as well!

  8. Breathtaking views! Some day soon we need to do this walk too – although I will be quite anxious (I wonder why?)

  9. Wow, what stunning photos. I haven’t been to Dover since I was a child. This is somewhere we’re going to have to go. The cliffs just look magnificent. Of course, Monkey deserved chocolate cake. All Monkeys like cake! 🙂

  10. I got all excited then as I thought this was somewhere I had been . However husband informs me it was dome different white cliffs that look extremely similar haha

  11. It is difficult finding the motivation to get out this time of year isn’t it! This looks like a lovely place for a walk and what gorgeous weather we had in October!

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