Week 4: White Cliffs of Dover

For our final destination, we will travel to one of the most beautiful places England has to offer, the White Cliffs of Dover.  Thought to be made by ice age floods, the cliffs have been a great symbol of Great Britain's resistance to invasions for thousands of years.  The cliffs, which stretch from eastern to western Dover, face the Strait of Dover and France.  Before the cliffs were a popular tourist spot, they used to hid underground tunnels used as a safe haven for British troops in the 1700 and 1800's.  Today, though badly damaged, some of the tunnels can be toured.  Currently the tunnels are under construction and are expected to open to the public sometime in the future.  There is also a need for volunteers who are willing to help not only reinforce the tunnels, but talk to the public about the future tours of these wonderful pieces of history.  If you are interested in visiting this beautiful place, I recommend going on a guided tour which includes a walk along the coastline and lunch.  Though the cliffs themselves are astounding, there is also a wide variety of living organisms that surround the cliffs as well.  The beautiful chalkhill blue butterfly and pyramidal orchid are just a few of the different insects that surround the cliffs.  For those who love birds, the black-legged kittiwake bird is known to nest in the cliffs as well.  If you would like more information about the cliffs, please visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/white-cliffs-dover.