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Walks in Kent - South Foreland Lighthouse

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Route Overview

Experience some fantastic views along the high chalk cliffs at the edge of the North Downs which form part of the famous White Cliffs of Dover. Starting at the entrance to the White Cliffs Visitor Centre, the marked route follows around Langdon Hole and Fan Point towards South Foreland Lighthouse. Built in 1843 to mark dangerous offshore banks and also used by Marconi for the first successful trials in radio navigation, the Lighthouse is open to the public between April and October.

Distance - Full

4 miles / 6.4 km

Distance - Short

4 miles / 6.4 km

Typical Time - Full

3 hours

Typical Time - Short

3 hours

Start Point

The Gateway to the White Cliffs Visitor Centre

End Point

The Gateway to the White Cliffs Visitor Centre

Start point grid reference

TR336421

End point grid reference

TR336421

Type of Route:

Circular

Level of walk:

Leisurely

Route Features

Accessibility / Facilities

Begins near parking
Begins near toilets
Ends near parking
Ends near toilets

Terrain

PROW (Public Right Of Way)

Route Description

Safety on the Cliffs: Please keep away from the cliff edge. Take special care with children and dogs. Visitor Centre to Langdon Hole: The ‘Gateway to the White Cliffs’ visitor centre introduces you to five miles of coast and countryside through imaginative displays and interpretation. Admission is free. Refreshments and toilets are available. The National Trust offer a guided walk from the visitor centre to the lighthouse between April - October. 1. With the visitor centre on your left, follow the wide surfaced path up a slight incline.Proceed for approximately 200 metres and then go through a narrow gap.From here bear slightly left at the milestone and waymarker to walk along a grassy path that goes up a long moderate slope for around 300 metres. (You can also take the surfaced path on the right which becomes grassy and links up to the main path). 2. At the top of the hill go through kissing gate. Along this section you can admire excellent views across the White Cliffs and Langdon Hole. Langdon Hole: After passing through the kissing gate there are a number of narrow paths that can be followed as you walk downhill with a number of benches if a rest is required. 3. After 150 metres head down a long flight of steps. From here follow waymarkers for about 300 metres around Langdon hole. This section of undulating path has some short steep gradients, and can become narrow in places. Take care: The sections of bare earth and bedrock can be very slippery when wet. 4. After walking around Langdon Hole, cross over a stile where you can enjoy some stunning views across the white cliffs. Cliff top path to South Foreland Lighthouse: From here all the way to South Foreland Lighthouse (approx. 2km) the path winds its way along the top of the white cliffs. Throughout this long section gradients are generally slight to moderate. There are multiple paths that can be walked, but these all tend to follow the same direction. 5. At Fan Point, the path runs alongside some farm land. There are good views of Fan Bay below.Along this section there are also numerous viewpoints across the English Channel and to France beyond. 6. Nearing the end of the outward part of the walk the route bends inland up a moderate gradient along the edge of some farm land before going through a gap. Here you have the option to visit the fantastic South Foreland Lighthouse before retracing your steps back along the cliffs to the visitor centre where you started. The Lighthouse is maintained by the National Trust and is open from April-October. There is an admission charge to the lighthouse:Adult £3.60, Child £1.80 (correct as of March 2006). National Trust members: free with membership card.Call 01304 852463 to check opening times before your visit.

Terrain Details

Cliff top paths and tracks. Undulating with some short, steep slopes.

Additional Info / Warnings

Stiles: 1 Gates: 1 A photo guide for this route is available from www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent

Access Info / Public Transport

Road Map: Multimap website www.multimap.com. Enter postcode CT16 1HJ By Car: From A2 – follow signs for Dover Castle from roundabout on to A258 (Castle Hill Road), turn left in to Upper Road. From M20 and Dover - follow signs for Dover Castle on to A258 (Castle Hill Road), turn right into Upper Road Parking: Car parking is available at the ‘Gateway to the White Cliffs’ visitor centre. There is a charge payable for parking – please observe signs. Note: Car park closes later in summer. Train: Nearest station – Dover Priory (2 miles). National Rail Enquiries: 08457 484950 Bus: 90/90X (Folkestone – Deal) Hourly peak. Mon - Sat only.91 (Folkestone – Deal) 2 hourly. Sun only.Traveline: 0870 6082608

Services / Amenities

Toilets: At visitor centre Refreshments: At visitor centre

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