Dover has a variety of parkland within its boundaries. There is the choice of:

Connaught Park overlooking Dover from Castle Hill with commanding views of town, port and castle alike.

 Location: Connaught Road, Other Access: Various points along Connaught Road, parking opposite Park Avenue. Also accessible via footpaths from St Mary’s Cemetery, Old Charlton Road and the Castle Hill/Connaught Road junction.

Car Parking (free)

Pencester Gardens in the centre of town backs onto the Bus station, River Dour and also includes the Pencester Pavilion with the Timeline of Dover at its base – bands play at the pavilion during the summer.

Location/Access: Located on Pencester Road, access also available from the Safeway car park in Stembrook, and at the end of Dieu Stone Land on Maison Dieu Road.

Car Parking (fee)

Maison Dieu Gardens

Offers beautiful views of the castle when wanting a space to relax whilst shopping in town. Includes the relaxation of the River Dour and the Bowling Green as well as well-preserved flower boarders.

Location: Behind the Town Hall (Maison Dieu) and Dover Town Council Offices (Maison Dieu House). Also accessible via the Ladywell and Maison Dieu Road (Health Centre) car parks.

Car Parking (fee)

Granville Gardens and The Gateway

A place to sit and look over the World’s busiest shipping lanes and Dover Harbour.

Location: Dover Seafront, Marine Parade

Please note the Gateway gardens are private

Parking: Sea Front (fee)

Western Heights Nature Reserve

Explore the Napoleonic fortifications including The Grand Shaft, Drop Redoubt fort and Citadel. Also includes the Knights Templars Church and beautiful views of the sea stretching away to France.

Access: North Military Road, St Martin’s Battery and Cowgate Steps (Eastern side – Grand Shaft, barracks, St Martin’s Battery and Drop Redoubt), Clarendon Street/Road, Western Heights west car park (North Military Road) – west access.

Parking: St Martin’s Battery Car Park, South Military Road (East) and Western Heights Car Park, North Military Road (West). Parking (free)

 See our Western Heights Tour pages for more information.

Samphire Hoe Nature Reserve

Nature Reserve created from the chalk surfaced from the construction of the Channel Tunnel, sheltered by the White Cliffs of Dover and offers spectacular glimpses of cliff wildlife.

Access: Off A20 Dover – Folkestone road.

Parking: On Site (small fee)

Kearsney Abbey

Parkland located in the beautiful setting of the former grounds of Kearsney Abbey manor house. The area includes beautiful riverside walks surrounding the River Dour and it’s tributaries as well as lakes, woodland and greens to enjoy picnics on! Also over the east side of the Abbey, the remains of a watermill, to the west an ice house and also remains of a river lock. Woodland backs onto the park and offers spectacular woodland walks with views of River and beyond. The billiard room all that is left of the gothic style Kearsney Abbey manor house now is the home of a tearoom open all year serving a range of delicious food and drinks.

Location: Alkham Valley Road, Kearsney, Temple Ewell.

Also accessible via Lower Road, River

Parking: Free, just off Alkham Valley Road

 The Pictures on this page are all from Kearsney Abbey.

Russell Gardens

Beautiful landscaped gardens located opposite Kearsney Abbey. The park was once the grounds of Kearsney Manor, now a nursing home. It includes tennis courts, children’s playground and putting green (open summers). Also includes beautiful Chinese style architecture, recently restored in the form of bridges and landscaping. The gardens are named after a former mayor of Dover.

Location: Alkham Valley Road, Temple Ewell (opposite Kearsney Abbey)

Car Park: Free just off Alkham Valley Road

Bushy Ruff Nature Reserve

Beautiful nature reserve set in the countryside on the edge of Temple Ewell next door to Russell Gardens. Set in the grounds of Bushy Ruff house the nature reserve is a haven for wildlife and includes many wildlife species. Woodland is accessible from the back of the reserve and backs onto Russell Gardens. The area includes a large lake ideal for bird watching and the remains of a watermill.

Location: Alkham Valley Road, Temple Ewell (Dover)

Car Park: Free – use either Russell Gardens or Kearsney Abbey’s car parks as Bushy Ruff does not have its own car parking. Access via Russell Gardens

Cowgate Cemetery Nature Reserve

Newly formed nature reserve in the centre of town just off York Street. Located in a Victorian cemetery this is now home to an abundance of wildlife all year and excellent for short walks.

Location: Adrian Street, off Military Hill – accessed via York Street (following car parking signs)

Car Park: Adrian Street (fee)

White Cliffs of Dover – Gateway To The White Cliffs, Langdon Cliffs

(National Trust)

Located east of Dover Castle providing views across the channel, harbour and castle. Enjoy walks on this famous landmark and enjoy the nature that inhabits it. Walk to St Margaret’s Bay to visit the South Foreland Lighthouse and learn about this special place in the Gateway to White Cliffs interactive centre.

Access: St Margaret’s Road off Castle Hill Road (A258) east of Dover

Parking: (On Site – Fee unless you’re a National Trust member)

Whitfield Recreation Ground

Access from Beauxfield, Whitfield

Large open space ideal for walking and recreational activities.

Parking: Restricted to nearby residential areas and then walking to the recreation ground.

Whitfield Hill Woods

Just off Whitfield Hill – Yet to be surveyed

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