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A postcard from the beautiful Kent coast
Step into our picture postcard English coast this August where we have all the ingredients for a perfect summer. Find the ideal mix of relaxation and adventure, friendly charm and family fun here in White Cliffs Country.
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 All aboard a galleon!
Calling all budding seafarers and shipmates - fire up your imagination aboard the magnificent Galeón Andalucía which will be moored in Dover for five days this August.
This life-size replica of a Spanish ship, used for global maritime expeditions during the 16th to 18th centuries, will be in the Outer Marina next to the RNLI lifeboat station from 6 to 10 August. Self-guided tours are now available to book, running from 10am to 8.30pm on each day.
Once on board, you are free to wander the ship’s six decks, talk to the crew members (real sailors living on board!), and explore interactive exhibits, videos, projections and historical documents.
Tickets are £12 for people aged over 11, £6 for ages 5-10 (under 5s free), £30 family (2 adults and up to 3 children).
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 Ginormous beasts and where to find them
Hold onto your hats - the dinosaurs are returning to Dover! For the third year running, Dover District Council brings you Dover Dinosaur Day (funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund) on Wednesday 6 August. Head to Pencester Gardens in the centre of town for a totally roarsome day of FREE family fun.
There will be three dinosaur shows in the arena, a walkabout with plenty of photo opportunities, three reptile shows, a dance performance and loads of craft activities with Artsworks, the Maison Dieu, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership and Kent Downs teams, face painting, hula hooping and more. The fun starts at 10am and finishes at 3pm.
Pencester Gardens is a 10-minute walk from Dover Priory train station and right next to the main bus stop in town.
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 Whitemills Wake & Aqua Park
A must for all water sports fans, the fantastic wake and aqua park near Sandwich has expanded its lake activities with fun Ringo Rides and calming SUP yoga. They’ve also added a System 2.0, straight-line cable, specifically designed for beginners to learn how to wakeboard.
With cosy, modern, 6-bed lodges and a campsite area with 20 spacious tent pitches with electric hook-ups opening this month, you can now even stay on site close to the action. The lakeside restaurant is open from 8am to 8pm serving everything from hearty breakfasts to delicious dinners, so you can leave the catering to the Whitemills Kitchen and spend even more time on the water.
Upcoming events include the Rookie Rumble Pro-Am UK Tour on 23 August – free to spectators, no booking required – and Cable Carnival, a live action show of the UK’s best wakeboarders demonstrating what can be done on the cable system, on 6 September.
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 Taskmaster at the Castles
It’s all fun and games at Dover Castle and Walmer Castle & Gardens this summer, with loads of activities for the whole family to get stuck into. English Heritage has partnered with TV’s Taskmaster to set you silly challenges as you explore each property. Collect your Taskmaster score card and complete your tasks. There might also be a rubber duck or two to spot on the way too. Please note that Alex and the Taskmaster team won’t be doing the tasks with you, but that means you’re in charge!
As well as Taskmaster fun, each weekend at Dover Castle during the summer holidays you can try your hand at archery, and at Walmer Castle Gardens there is a fantastic programme of events, from open-air theatre performances to guided photography walks.
Head to Walmer Castle Garden’s Oval Lawn at 11am every Wednesday during the school holidays for Summer Holiday Storytime. Stories are suitable for ages 0-10 but all are welcome.
Book tickets in advance on the English Heritage website and save 15%. Admission is free to English Heritage members.
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 Discover the natural world
Learn about the diverse animals and plants that call Sandwich Bay home, then roll up your sleeves for a rewarding beach clean to help preserve this precious habitat on Tuesday 5 August. On Wednesday 6 August, explore the natural world through the traditional photographic process of Cyanotype. Both events are run by a collaboration of the team at the observatory, Kent Wildlife Trust and White Cliffs Countryside Partnership.
Head to Fort Burgoyne near Dover on Sunday 3 August for a fabulous funday from 11am to 3pm, including an outdoor theatre performance, outdoor cooking experience, mini golf, bug hunts, face-painting and ‘meet the Dexter cows’!
Other wildlife and nature-based events in August, organised by the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, include River Dipping on the River Dour on 5 and 8 August, Rock Pooling at Samphire Hoe on 16 August, a Bug Hunt at the Western Heights on 21 August and Family Bat Walks on 22 and 29 August.
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Let’s go fly a kite
Fancy a fun-filled day of flight, creativity and discovery at Dover’s iconic hilltop fort? The Western Heights Family Kite Day is on Sunday 10 August from 11am to 4pm where you can fly your own kite or make one at a free drop-in workshop, watch incredible kite displays from Kent Kite Flyers, discover Afghan master kite makers’ colourful traditions, learn about local wildlife with White Cliffs Countryside Partnership and Kent Wildlife Trust, and more. The Citadel Café will be open where you can buy refreshments. Free entry, free parking and no booking required.
Event location: Dover Town Council’s sports field, Citadel Road, CT17 9DP
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 Last-minute getaways
It’s not too late to book a few days away on the coast to make the most of summer. Browse the Stay pages on our website for inspiration, then check out the social media accounts of great local companies such as Keepers Cottages and Coaste for late availability (or just give them a call). There are such lovely places to stay in the Dover, Deal and Sandwich area, and although they’re generally booked up in advance, sometimes fabulous cottages or rooms do become available.
You’ll also find fantastic campsites here, perfect for an impromptu pitch up, including Coxhill Camping in Shepherdswell which is on campsites.co.uk's Outstanding Site for 2025 list AND won one of 10 (out of 500,000) Best Campervan Spots at the HipCamp Awards 2025.
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 Kids for a Quid
A day trip to the coast? A long weekend by the sea? A mid-week adventure? Let the train take the strain and head to White Cliffs Country where there are stations within walking distance of fantastic visitor attractions at Dover, Walmer, Deal, Sandwich and Kearsney. Under 5s go free and tickets cost £1 for children aged 5-15 when travelling with an adult with a valid ticket during off-peak times, which makes it more affordable to get around.
You can also save up to 1/3 of the price of individual adult tickets when groups of three to nine adults travel together at off-peak times. Find out more below.
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 The Arts Society Sandwich Summer Exhibition
St Mary’s Arts Centre, Sandwich
An inspiring exhibition of contemporary works celebrating perspective, form and colour.
1-3 August
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 Model Weekend
Dover Transport Museum
A great family day out with model railways, model boats and much more.
Open 10.30am - 4.30pm
2-3 August
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 Farthingloe Family Music Festival
Great Farthingloe Farm, Dover
A fantastic day of fun, music and entertainment for all ages in a beautiful location.
2 August
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 Kent Country County Fair
Betteshanger Park, Deal
Experience a US-style county fair with country music, line dancing, games and fun for all the family.
3 August
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 Sunday Funday
Fort Burgoyne, Dover
A nature and community filled family fun day packed with entertainment.
Free entry but donations welcome on the day.
3 August
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 Robin Hood & Sense and Sensibility
Walmer Castle Gardens
Two very different open-air performances, both based on classic tales and full of memorable characters.
Book tickets online.
3 August
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 Dover Dinosaur Day
Pencester Gardens, Dover
A gigantic day of family fun with huge dinos and real reptiles.
Free event.
10am - 3pm
6 August
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 Kent 50s Festival
St Mary’s Arts Centre and The Quay, Sandwich
A high-octane celebration of 1950s rock’n’roll culture with music, dancing and vintage market.
8-10 August
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 The Heritage Sprint
Betteshanger Park, Deal
Serious racing and light-hearted fun – over 300 race and exhibition bikes, trade stands, activities for all ages and more.
9-10 August
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 Family Kite Day
Western Heights, Dover
Kite-flying festival with views over Dover, the docks and the English Channel.
Free, family-friendly event.
10 August
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 Sandwich Antiques Market
Guildhall Forecourt, Sandwich
Outdoor antiques market with stallholders from all over Kent.
10am - 3pm.
10 August
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 Free Sunday Concerts
Deal Memorial Bandstand, Walmer Green
Pull up a chair and enjoy top-class bands playing at the historic bandstand in Walmer.
10, 17, 24 & 31 August
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 Alice Through the Looking Glass
Pencester Pavilion and Gardens, Dover
Outdoor theatre with music and humour – a fun, pacy show for all the family.
12 August
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 Family Fest Fun Day
Betteshanger Park, Deal
A free, fun day out with loads of activities, including inflatables, a mini disco and treasure hunt.
16 August
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 Drop Redoubt Tours
Western Heights, Dover
Explore this incredible Napoleonic structure on a free guided tour (must be booked in advance).
Tour times 11am and 2pm.
17 August
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 BMX Bike Show
Pencester Gardens
An action-packed BMX display plus hands-on workshops with the Defying Gravity team. Free event, suitable for all ages.
11am - 4pm.
20 August
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 Sandwich Festival
Sandwich town centre and quay
A weekend of free entertainment in the town and along the Quay with live music, medieval experiences, car show, craft stalls, duck race and more.
23-25 August
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 Dover Pride
Dover town centre and Maison Dieu
Join the Pride parade through the town to the Maison Dieu where there will be entertainment, art, crafts, food, and workshops.
23 August
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 The Lydden Thunder 650
Lydden Hill Race Circuit
Come along to celebrate some of the best oval racing at this historic race circuit.
Book tickets online.
24-25 August
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 Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Walmer Castle Gardens
Bring your favourite bear to watch a fun puppet show (for children aged two to six years old); shows at 1pm and 3pm.
24 August
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 Deal Food & Drink Festival
Next to Deal Castle
Food courts, grocery and craft stalls, beach bar, fairground rides, live music and stand-up comedy.
27-31 August
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 Dance Festival by Shiva Nova
Pencester Gardens, Dover
A day of dance, music and culture including salsa workshops, drumming workshops and bhangra performances.
27 August
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 Martha Wainwright 20th Anniversary Tour
The Booking Hall, Dover
A rare chance to see the Canadian singer-songwriter and musician in Dover.
Book tickets online.
29 August
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 Kent Miner’s Festival 2025
Betteshanger Park, Deal
Join Kent Mining Museum to celebrate the history of Kent mining with displays, crafts, food, games and more.
31 August
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