"Dover" Dover by smschley

Dover has been a permanent settlement since at least the time of the Romans, who were the first to record its presence, giving it the name Dubris. It was named for the stream which runs through the town called the Dour a Celtic river name 'dubräs' meaning 'the waters'. It also marked the start of Watling Street, a major Roman road. The Roman lighthouse built on the present-day site of Dover Castle is one of the oldest buildings in Britain.

The town is situated on the South East Coast of England, and is probably best know for its 'White Cliffs of 'Dover' and its part in the Dunkirk Evacuation (Operation Dynamo) during WW2. Dover was also known as Hellfire Corner due to the heavy pounding it took not only from the air but also the Long Range Guns on the French coast.

Today Dover is a major port town facing into the English Channel and, at just 21 miles from the French port of Calais, it is the closest port to continental Europe on mainland Britain.