North Downs Way: Capel-le-Ferne to Dover

The Walk:From Folkestone, we rejoin the NDW where we left off, at the Battle of Britain Memorial in Capel-le-Ferne. This final section of the NDW from Farnham is a bracing clifftop walk, with views down to the Warren undercliff, sliced through by the Folkestone to Dover railway. Atop Abbots Cliff, we look down on Samphire Hoe, the area of land created with the spoil from the Channel Tunnel, and beyond it, Dover Harbour comes into view. After a final climb around the old fortifications on the Western Heights, we finally arrive at journey's end, the official finish (start?) of the North Downs Way on Dover sea front.

North Downs Way Start/Finish line on Dover Sea Front

Route

NB The map shows my route, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely.

Why do it?

You have to, in order to complete the North Downs Way. And this final section is a fitting end.

The North Downs have been sliced by the sea to create white cliffs (well, actually, vegetation growing on the steep chalk slopes makes them green and white). The coast of France should be visible on a clear day.

Overlooking Folkestone Warren

At the Battle of Britain Memorial, there is a memorial wall for the Few, a statue of a fighter pilot looking out to sea, at the centre of a giant white propeller painted on the ground, a replica Hurricane, and Visitor Centre with cafe, all located on a grassy terrace with coastal views.

Battle of Britain Memorial

On the clifftop of Abbot's Cliff is a concrete sound mirror, an aircraft detection system trialled between the wars but made redundant before WW2 by the invention of radar. More WW2 concrete bunkers and fortifications follow, as well as some round brick towers, which are ventilation shafts for the railway tunnel below.

Abbot's Cliff Sound Mirror

Samphire Hoe is land entirely man made at the base of Shakespeare Cliff from spoil excavated during the building of the Channel Tunnel. The UK Tunnel cooling plant is located here, and the remaining land (the bulk) has been made into a nature reserve. It is accessed by a tunnel 0.2 miles long from the A20, and makes an interesting excursion if you have time.

Samphire Hoe from the clifftop path, Dover Harbour in the distance

Having scrambled over the final headland of Shakespeare Cliff, and crossed the A20 via an underpass, there is one final climb around Dover Western Heights, where you can explore the massive Victorian fortifications.

Drop Redoubt 'moat'

Then, an impressive set of steps takes you down to the road and it is but a short walk to the official NDW Start/Finish line and plaque. Job done!

Plaque on the pavement at the Start/Finish line

Logistics:

By train: from Folkestone Station, walk to the bus station and get a 102 bus to Capel-le-Ferne. Alight at the B of B Memorial: walk respectfully across the memorial lawn to access the coast path. Having finished, walk from Dover seafront to Dover Priory Station.

Folkestone Bus Station

You could also park at Folkestone Station (charge), and get the train back from Dover Priory.

Yet another variation is to park outside the East Cliff Pavilion, Folkestone, where there is free parking on Wear Bay Road (NB always double check local parking signs). Then ascend to Capel-le-Ferne via the England Coast Path, as described in this walk. Get the train back from Dover Priory and walk back to your car (or take a taxi).

Distance:

0.5 miles from Folkestone Train Station to Folkestone Bus Station. 7 miles along the NDW from the B of B Memorial to Dover sea front, plus 0.5 mile walk to Dover Priory Station. Making 8 miles in all.

Challenges:

The coast path along Shakespeare Cliff has been badly eroded by cliff collapse: follow any diversion signs (tip: if in doubt, stay on the landward side of any fences).

Shakespeare Cliff path

The England Coast Path generally follows the same route as the NDW, except that the former makes a meandering excursion into the Western Heights Fortifications, which is interesting but is rather difficult to follow and involves some quite steep descents and ascents.

Steps through Western Heights, England Coast Path

The NDW seems to have been moved to a higher path contouring around the Drop Redoubt: this offers good views into the Drop Redoubt Moat and over to Dover Castle.

Views across to Dover Castle

There are mobile phone 'not spots', and you may find your phone logged on to your provider's French services. Apart from the risk of unexpected roaming charges, you may be moved to continental time, disrupting the sequence of any photos you take, and causing you to miss your train. Set your phone to use time as determined by your GPS location.

Refreshments:

Numerous pubs, cafes etc round Folkestone Harbour.

Cockpit cafe at the Battle of Britain Memorial; also Clifftop Cafe about a mile further on. Both have excellent views.

Clifftop cafe

Kiosks on Dover Sea Front, plus the usual establishments in the town centre.

Treat yourself to celebratory ice cream

Nearby Walks:

For an overview map of all my walks along the North Downs Way see this page.

Previous section: Tolsford Hill to Capel-le-Ferne

Next section: None, you have completed the NDW

This walk Folkestone to Dover uses the sea wall route at the foot of the cliffs and beaches to reach Samphire Hoe, then continues on the North Downs Way through Dover's Western Heights to Dover Priory station.

This walk Samphire Hoe Circular uses the NDW clifftop path to Samphire Hoe, and returns via the sea wall.

To the West: Hastings to Pett Level

To the East: Dover to Deal

Also, Cycle Ride along the coast on the Cantii Way, from Dover to Rye, including Folkestone and Dungeness

More Photos

Photos from several walks over Spring/Summer combined