White Cliffs of Dover Coastal Path to St Margaret’s Bay

The White Cliffs of Dover coastal path to St Margaret's Bay follows 8 km of the most iconic clifftop scenery in England, tracing the chalk escarpment high above the English Channel with France visible across the Strait on clear days. The route leaves Dover via the National Trust visitor centre at the White Cliffs and follows the cliff edge southeast, passing the South Foreland Lighthouse before descending to the sheltered cove at St Margaret's Bay. The 140 metres of climbing is spread across undulating terrain as the path rises and dips with the cliff contour. The chalk is blazing white where fresh falls have exposed it, and the springy turf on top is studded with wild thyme, horseshoe vetch and pyramidal orchids in season. The Channel shipping passes below in constant procession.

This dog friendly walk has limited off-lead potential due to high livestock risk — sheep graze the clifftop grassland — and the cliff edges demand constant vigilance. Leads are strongly recommended throughout, as the chalk is crumbly and erosion has created exposed drops in several places. The coastal wind carries salt spray and the aromatic scent of chalk grassland herbs, and the sheer scale of the views — sea, sky, the French coast, enormous container ships below — gives the walk a grandeur that transcends its moderate distance. The terrain is firm chalk path and cropped grass, easy on paws but exposed in bad weather. The tearoom at St Margaret's Bay and the National Trust cafe at the start both welcome dogs.