Dover is a cruise port where the Fred Olsen ship Boudicca often bases and ships from the Aida fleet to the Pacific Princess often stop. It is famous for the White Cliffs. Made more famous as it was the first sign of home for pilots flying back in WWII. The planes were referred to as Blue Birds by Dame Vera Lynn. It is amazing how many cruisers when they walk around a port, end up seeing the church or cathedral, because often, as in many Caribbean Islands the church is the main feature. Even in the Baltic, you can feel like you have seen quite a few churches, so why not at home? Dover is a cruise port used by the smaller ships, and Canterbury is normally an excursion offered. If cruising from Dover you might want to fit in a morning visit on the way. The reason to go to this city is the Cathedral. Canterbury is a walled city and the walls and gates still stand though much inside them are modern offices, housing and shopping. It is hard to park and expensive. The Cathedral, its grounds and other buildings will be what you go for. The entrance is £12.50 with discounts for showing proof of over 65. Group discounts have to be booked in advance.
A candle burns where the shrine to Sir Thomas of Canterbury stood from 1220. However, in the fight for power between church and crown, the spine was destroyed in 1538 by order of King Henry VIII just as the archbishop had been killed after King Henry II declared ‘who will rid me of this turbulent priest?’
The Naive is huge, a great example of gothic architecture. The Crypt is the oldest part of the Cathedral. The grounds, library, Cloister and chapter House should not be missed. There are monetary buildings outside the walls but many quaint cottages are now fast food joints.
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