Samphire Hoe – have you forgotten just how nice it is? Samphire Hoe is an area of land at the foot of Dover’s white cliff’s which was created about ten years ago from the spoil from digging-out the channel tunnel. If, like us, you haven’t visited for some time, then you are in for a real treat! It has developed into a beautifully managed green oasis. We visited last week on one of the hottest days of the year so far and were greeted by a lovely cooling onshore breeze. Standing in the sun, in a large green open space, with the sea sparkling behind you and the white cliffs...

It’s Dover Carnival day today. There’s loads of entertainment laid on throughout the weekend. Music in the Park in Pencester Park today. The carnival procession starts at 6pm from Crabble. There’s a Horticultural and Pets Show in Pencester Gardens tomorrow. And of course, the Big Screen in Dover’s Market Square is still showing the tennis live from Wimbledon. There’s also lots to do in Deal too, as they enter their two week long Summer Festival. All of these events and many more are listed on a calendar on our frequently updated Events in Dover web page. Check back...

The Great Tower at Dover Castle has been closed for the past few months for extensive refurbishment. According to an article in yesterday’s Daily Telegraph it will re-open on the 1st August. The article is all about the creation of a new Mappa Mundi for the refurbished rooms at Dover Castle. The map, commissioned by English Heritage, is to be placed in a suite of rooms in Dover Castle’s keep which are being refurbished to look as they did when King Henry II built them in the 1180s. I love the fact that this historic recreation seems to have been recreated by this talented pair of caligraphers...

English Heritage look after several properties in the Dover area: Dover Castle Deal Castle Walmer Castle Richborough Roman Fort St Augustine’s Abbey We are truly fortunate to have all of these great properties about the Dover area. Do you shop at Dover Tescos? Do you know that you can use your Tesco Clubcard vouchers to get annual English Heritage membership for a quarter of the normal price? The annual membership fee for an adult is currently £43, and for a couple just £75. That means that for just one or two £10 Tesco Clubcard vouchers you can have access to these (and any other) English...

Deal Paddling Pool is a fantastic free resource for young families, and absolutely ideal for cooling off in a heatwave!! It’s open every day from 10am to 6pm between May and September. Free changing rooms and toilets. Kiosk serving ice creams and hot & cold snacks, as well as a range of inflatables and other toys for use in the pool. Deckchairs are available for hire too. The pool is for under tens only. There are many other facilities located nearby: Crazy Golf Putting Bouncy Castle About 400m to Deal Castle About 200m to the Deal Memorial Bandstand Find out more at the Vista Leisure...