Dover & the Britain at War Tour: A Powerful Start to Our Viking British Isle Explorer Cruise

rickwetmore
Apr 18, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Apr 29, 2025

⚓ First Port of Call: Dover, England - Britain at War Tour

A full day immersed in courage, coastlines, and camaraderie

After embarking the beautiful Viking Vela in London, our first port stop brought us to Dover, where we chose the optional "Britain at War" excursion—a day steeped in history, storytelling, and powerful moments of remembrance.

From the moment we boarded the coach, we knew we were in good hands. Our guide wasn’t just informative—he was a professional WWII historian with a real talent for storytelling. He brought the events of the war to life with vivid detail, personal anecdotes, and insights into the resilience of the British people during some of their darkest days.

📍 Ramsgate: Stories from the Cliffs and the Sea

Our first stop on our Britain at War tour was the coastal town of Ramsgate, perched along the English Channel. We walked down to the harbor, where fishing boats and pleasure craft now line the docks—but in 1940, this was the launch point for hundreds of “Little Ships” that set out across the Channel to rescue Allied troops stranded at Dunkirk.

As we reached the harbor, our guide gathered us around a stone monument surrounded by poppy wreaths—the Channel Dash Memorial. He shared the compelling story of a lesser-known WWII episode: the 1942 German naval breakout through the Channel, and the desperate Allied efforts to stop it. (I'll be sharing more about this fascinating event in an upcoming blog post—stay tuned!)

We also learned about the maze of tunnels carved into the chalk cliffs above—used during the war as air raid shelters, command posts, and makeshift hospitals. It was easy to picture the urgency and fear, but also the bravery, that filled these white cliffs.

🛩️ The Spitfire & Hurricane Museum at RAF Manston

Our next stop was the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum at RAF Manston. This small but powerful museum features fully restored Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane fighter planes—the two iconic aircraft that defended Britain during the pivotal air battles of 1940.

Seeing them up close, I was struck by how compact they were. These aircraft may have been small, but the courage of the young RAF pilots who flew them was anything but. The museum grounds include a beautifully kept memorial garden, with tributes to individual pilots and squadrons.

We had about an hour of free time to explore the exhibits, and it was easy to get lost in the personal stories told through letters, uniforms, and photographs.

🍽️ A Classic Pub Break at The Jackdaw Inn

No British excursion would be complete without a proper pub lunch, and this one was a highlight. Set on a country road just outside Canterbury, The Jackdaw Inn is a quaint 17th-century pub with low timber beams, a cozy open fire, and walls decorated with RAF memorabilia—a perfect match for our day.

We tucked into crispy fish & chips and a pint of ale, soaking in the atmosphere and swapping impressions with fellow cruisers. The setting was so authentically British, you half expected Churchill to walk in and order a pint himself.

🕊️ The Battle of Britain Memorial

Our final stop of the Britain at War tour took us high atop the White Cliffs of Dover to Capel-le-Ferne, home of the Battle of Britain Memorial. At the center of the site sits a serene statue of an RAF pilot, seated cross-legged, gazing across the Channel. Behind him is a sweeping wall etched with the names of those who fought in the skies over Britain—known simply as “The Few.”

Inside the visitor center, we experienced The Scramble Experience, a stirring short film that captured the emotional rollercoaster faced by RAF crews during the war. The actors portrayed pilots waiting in the ready room, responding to the scramble bell, and later, anxiously counting the planes returning from combat. The ending—when you realize not all of them made it back—was profoundly moving.

💭 Final Thoughts

This wasn't just a sightseeing tour—it was a deeply personal and emotional journey through a critical chapter of WWII history. Viking's Britain at War tour was a meaningful and enriching experience. We returned to Dover and the Viking Vela thoughtful and inspired, with a renewed appreciation for the sacrifices made by so many in defense of freedom.

For More Information

Viking Cruises: https://www.vikingcruises.com/
Spitfire & Hurricane Museum at RAF Manston: https://www.spitfiremuseum.org.uk/
The Jackdaw Inn: https://www.jackdawdenton.co.uk/
The Battle of Britain Memorial: https://www.battleofbritainmemorial.org/