White Cliffs Travel Tips UK - 5 stunning routes to visit the White Cliffs!
Where are the 'must-see' White Cliffs of England, the official recommendation of VisitBritain? How did the White Cliffs, known as the 'Southern Gateway to England', come to be? The ancient and poetic White Cliffs stretch along the southern coast of England, forming a beautiful landscape that is uniquely English! Let me suggest you 5 must-see routes to visit the White Cliffs in the UK!
White Cliffs
The southern coastline of Britain is home to many beautiful white cliffs that have a long history dating back as far as 130 million years ago to the Cretaceous period. The White Cliffs are a must-see geological wonder when travelling in the UK, and when you look across the English Channel from mainland Europe, the most prominent thing you can see is this endless stretch of white cliffs.
The White Cliffs are considered to be a symbol of England. The White Cliffs are also the cradle of English poetry, history and literature. The White Cliffs can be found in the beautiful lyrical poetry of English poet Matthew Arnold and in the writing of Shakespeare, the master of drama.
Why were the White Cliffs formed?
Spanning hundreds of millions of years from the ancient Cretaceous period, the White Cliffs stand silently at the southern tip, guarding this beautiful island of Great Britain. Many people will wonder how the White Cliffs were formed.
Image courtesy of @Travellon, Copyright © 2011
Image courtesy of @NationalTrust, Copyright © 2011
These typical chalk cliffs can be found in many parts of the UK and north-western Europe, but it is the UK that is best known for its white cliffs. The White Cliffs of the UK are also known as one of the ten most beautiful natural landscapes in the world. Here's a look at some of the most beautiful white cliffs in the UK that you must see!
1. The White Cliffs of Dover
Address: Langdon Cliffs, Upper Road, Dover CT16 1HJ
Why we recommend it: A symbol of England and a visit to a historic military fortress
The White Cliffs of Dover are one of the most famous of England's white cliffs. The White Cliffs of Dover are located in Dover, bordering the Dover Strait and across the sea from Calais in France. The White Cliffs of Dover are 5 kilometres long and reach a height of 152 metres, making them a spectacularly beautiful sight. The White Cliffs of Dover were mentioned in Act IV of Shakespeare's King Lear, which is why a section of the cliffs of Dover was specially named the "Shakespeare's Cliffs" by the British.
Address: Langdon Cliffs, Upper Road, Dover CT16 1HJ
Why we recommend it: A symbol of England and a visit to a historic military fortress
The White Cliffs of Dover are one of the most famous of England's white cliffs. The White Cliffs of Dover are located in Dover, bordering the Dover Strait and across the sea from Calais in France. The White Cliffs of Dover are 5 kilometres long and reach a height of 152 metres, making them a spectacularly beautiful sight. The White Cliffs of Dover were mentioned in Act IV of Shakespeare's King Lear, which is why a section of the cliffs of Dover was specially named the "Shakespeare's Cliffs" by the British.
Image courtesy of @Dover Marina Hotel, Copyright © 2011
Visit the White Cliffs of Dover to look out over France, admire the beautiful coastline of the Dover Strait, and stop off at Dover Castle, England's famous historic military fortress. The largest castle in England, this medieval castle was important in the military defence of England and is also known as the 'Key to England'.
Image courtesy of @Wikipedia, copyright © 2010
2.Seven Sisters Cliffs
Address: Exceat, near Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 4AD
Brighton is the UK's online seaside resort, and the White Cliffs of the Seven Sisters in Brighton is a popular hit on the study abroad circuit. The White Cliffs of the Seven Sisters are formed by seven major chalk sheer cliffs which rise and fall as if they were seven good sisters holding hands!
Image courtesy of @TheWanders, copyright @ the original author
This a gentle reminder that the geology of the White Cliffs is loose and there have been incidents of landslides and tourists falling off the cliff. We advise you to be careful when taking photos!
Image courtesy of @NationalTrust, Copyright © 2011
3. Beachy Head
Address: Beachy Head, Eastbourne BN20 7XY
Why it's recommended: England's highest cliff, one of the world's four 'suicide meccas'
Beech Point is the highest white cliff in England and is also known as the 'Anglo-Cloud Cliffs'. It is not the historic Battle of Beech Point, nor its towering cliffs and stunning sea views that make it famous, but the fact that so many people have chosen to end their lives here.
Image courtesy of @beachyhead, Copyright © 2011
The white cliffs of Bikini Point are the world's fourth largest 'suicide mecca' after Mount Fuji, the Golden Gate Bridge and Niagara Falls. The towering 'cloud cliffs' make it truly the 'closest place to heaven'. On the white cliffs of Bikini Point, there is also a beautiful lighthouse in the sea to show the way to those who have lost their way. We recommend that you come when you are in the right mood and don't subject this beautiful place to too many more wounds that don't belong to it.
Image courtesy of @widimedia commons, copyright © 2010
4. Old Harry Rocks
Address: Handfast Point, Isle of Purbeck, S W Coast Path, United Kingdom, Dorset BH19 3AN
The Jurassic Coast is the UK's first UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the 'natural wonders of the world', along with the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Grand Canyon National Park in the USA. The white cliffs of the Jurassic Coast consist of Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous cliffs that span the Mesozoic period and bear witness to 180 million years of the Earth's history.
Image courtesy of @BritishHeritageTravel, copyright © 2011
The Jurassic Coast's famous tourist attraction, Duddell's Gate, is a natural stone arch of hard limestone known as the 'English Elephant Trunk'. One of the most famous of the Jurassic Coast White Cliffs is Old Harry Rocks, located at the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast White Cliffs, which contains a unique sea pillar and the remains of a sea pillar, more unique than any other white cliff!
Image courtesy of @NationalTrust, Copyright © 2011
5. The Needles
Address: Alum Bay New Road, Alum Bay, Totland Bay PO39 0JD
The Isle of Wight is one of the top three islands in the UK and the most famous attraction on the Isle of Wight is the White Cliffs of The Needles! This section of the cliffs consists of three chalky rocks rising out of the sea, which are linked together like a thin, pointed 'needle' stretching out into the sea, and has been the setting for many a film!
Image courtesy of @IsleofWight, copyright @ the original author
You can see the White Cliffs of The Needles in the 1967 Les Miserable and Howard's Way TV series! The Isle of Wight's excursions is centred on Alum Bay, the bay to the northeast of The Needles, where there are car parks, bus stops, playgrounds, restaurants and other facilities. We recommend taking the Isle of Wight Cable Car to get a closer look at The Needles and the island's stunning sea views.
Image courtesy of @RedFunnel, Copyright © 2010
The White Cliffs, as Shakespeare described them, were the 'shining armour' that Caesar saw from the ship, 'the sea's gift to the land'. The White Cliffs of England are a testament to history and culture, and nature's most precious gift to us.
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