With activities such as swimming, a fully equipped gym, badminton courts, 5-a-side football, basketball, martial arts, trampolining, indoor cricket, 3 squash courts, as well as the more relaxing option of the sauna and steam rooms, there really is something for everyone at the Vista Leisure Centre. 

Dover Water Sports Centre

The Dover Water Sports Centre is a centre offering a full range of water sports activities and training for all ages and all levels of experience. With sports ranging from canoeing and windsurfing to sailing and powerboat racing, there is something for everyone. The club offers fully trained personnel, beachfront facilities, a huge range of kit and a great atmosphere, perfect for everyone.

Dover Rowing Club

1996 was the 150th anniversary of the founding of Dover Rowing Club, making it the oldest coastal rowing club in Britain. If you fancy getting involved in this local institution.




Recreation Parks

There are a number of local parks for walks and activities. Usually located near the housing areas.
Elms Vale Recreation Park with children playground, The Danes used for cricket and football, Russel Gardens and Kearsney Abbey are ideal for picnics and days out with the family. Pencester Gardens in the centre of the town is ideal for a rest during shopping trips with a nice stream to sit by. 
Connaught Park is a forgotten gem with rolling hillsides, childrens playground, aviary, tennis courts and cover seating. The park remains more or less unchanged in its main structure since Victorian times. On the lower level the park is terraced to make formal lawns with flowerbeds and an ornamental pond. On the next level there are tennis courts and a children’s playground, above this the lawns slope up the hillside to the upper promenade. The trees planted by the Victorians have now matured into fine specimens adding to the beauty of the park.

 

Crabble Athletic Ground

The Crabble Athletic Ground sits below the Dover AFC football ground and is used for rugby whilst also providing a 600m cycle track.

Historically the grounds were used as the main sporting venue in Dover hosting county cricket until the early 1970’s.

Dover Athletic Football Club are a non league semi professional team. The club is now enjoying success in the Ryman Premier league and football fans will enjoy the close knit football community who gave alternate Suturdays to watch the game. Dover has always been the most successful East Kent football team because of the tremendous support it always recieves.

Hobbies and Pastimes

There are a number of local clubs - Photography, Fishing, Bowls in the area. The local college offers courses on most subjects. There are a few public houses in Dover which have weekly Darts Leagues and Pool Leagues competitions.

For children there are a number of Youth activities from Scouts and Guides, Air & Sea Cadets, Football Clubs, Youth Clubs and the YMCA. There are Summer Playschemes for children whilst on school holidays.

There also are a number of restaurants in the town and surrounding countryside.

Local history and heritage Information