What is the population of Dover, England?
Dover had an estimated population of 44,209 in 2024. In the 2001 census the town recorded 28,156 inhabitants, while the wider urban area counted 39,078.
Questions about Dover
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How far is Dover from France across the English Channel?
The Strait of Dover is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, measured from Dover to Cap Gris-Nez in France. From South Foreland, Dover's nearest point to the European mainland, Cap Gris-Nez is 34 km away.
What is the Dover Bronze Age boat and when was it found?
The Dover Bronze Age boat was discovered in 1992 in six metres of water off the coast near Dover. Radiocarbon dating placed its construction at approximately 1550 BC, making it one of the oldest known seaworthy vessels ever found.
Why is Dover important for shipping and ferry services?
Dover sits on the English Channel at its narrowest point, which is the busiest shipping lane in the world. The Port of Dover runs ferry crossings to Calais and Dunkirk, with multiple operators including P&O Ferries, DFDS Seaways, and Irish Ferries providing dozens of daily sailings.
How long does the train journey from London to Dover take?
With the high-speed service into London St Pancras International via High Speed 1, the rail journey from London to Dover takes 55 minutes non-stop. The South Eastern Railway first connected Dover to the national rail network in 1844.
What was the Siege of Dover in 1216?
In 1216, Louis VIII of France landed his army on Dover's mainland beach seeking to depose King Henry III. Henry deployed approximately 400 bowmen atop the White Cliffs while cavalry attacked on the beach. The French defeated the cavalry and scattered the archers, holding Dover for three months before English forces pushed them out and the French surrendered.