The Best Hotels to Book Near Dover Castle

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more iconic Dover location than that of this lovely old guesthouse, which overlooks the mighty Dover Castle and is very close to the famous White Cliffs. The building itself is a traditional townhouse, with classically designed guest rooms – two of which overlook the castle directly. Takeaway breakfast picnics are available if you can’t wait to get on with your day’s adventures.

There’s no more quintessentially British coastal location than the White Cliffs of Dover – and this clifftop retreat in a historic country house sits right beside them in the village of St Margaret’s at Cliffe. Horse riding, kite surfing, paddleboarding and mountain biking are among the ways to explore on water and land – and the hotel will happily help you organise all of them.

A magnificent red-brick restoration manor house dating to 1638, Broome Park is a magnificent place to lay your head. The marble columns and four-poster beds of the Mansion Suites pay homage to the property’s centuries of heritage, while more down-to-earth, but no less comfortable accommodation is offered at the Woodland Lodges, set in the grounds and featuring kitchens and living rooms. An 18-hole golf course, and a health club with a pool plus squash and tennis courts are among the amenities on offer.

Nestled in the shadow of Dover Castle, the opulent Churchill House oozes history and charm, with guest rooms featuring antique writing bureaus and wardrobes, plush Persian rugs and velvet sofas. The Victoria Room, meanwhile, opens to a patio conservatory, alive with tropical plants. Dover’s famous castle, Western Heights and White Cliffs are all within walking distance of the hotel – as is the Port of Dover.

Hosts Gordon and Helga imbue this splendid old red-brick house with a family atmosphere, while rooms exhibit exquisite attention to detail. Antique French furniture and baroque sleigh beds are joined by views overlooking the village of Great Mongeham and its church. Attractions a short drive away include Dover Castle and Goodnestone Park Gardens, while slightly further afield is the stunning Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate.

With just four bedrooms in a beautiful oak-beamed farmhouse in the Kent countryside, Alkham Court promises a cosy and intimate stay. Rooms are flooded with natural light and have luxurious goose feather and down duvets, which you can enjoy while gazing out of your window at the lawns and orchards of the garden, and the Alkham Valley. A separate barn houses a hot tub and sauna, perfect for winding down after a day walking in the country air.

The historic harbour town of Folkestone is the setting for this Georgian townhouse hotel, with contemporary rooms featuring double bathtubs and luxurious White Company toiletries. There’s a cosy lounge, where you can curl up with a free cup of tea or coffee, and a private terrace overlooking Lower Leas Coastal Park and the Folkestone coast beyond.