River Dipping and Crafts on the River Dour

Event Date: 05/08/2025 10:00 - 14:30

This event is part of WCCP's Summer Festival. There are two time slots to choose from 10.00am- 11.30am or 12.30pm-2.00pm. 

Come along to explore the incredible underwater world of the River Dour!

Rangers Martha & Lauren will be on hand to help you catch some of the creatures that call the River Dour home and assist with identification. How many freshwater shrimps can you catch? Will you be quick enough to net a fish?

After river dipping there will be the opportunity to make your own river invertebrate to take home!

A great opportunity to learn more about this beautiful chalk river.

This event is suitable for those aged 5+. Children must be accompanied at all times.

£2.50 per child- booking essential. There are two time slots to choose from 10.00am- 11.30am or 12.30pm-2.00pm. 

Meeting point:

River Dour Centre
What3Words:///shin.lawn.dawn

Parking:

There is no parking at the Dour Centre and there is limited parking on surrounding residential streets- please park considerately.

Dogs:

Dogs are not allowed at this event.

Toilets:

There is a toilet on site.

Accessibility:

This event is partially accessible. There may be some areas which are difficult to navigate for wheelchair users. If you would like to know more information please email us on wccp@dover.gov.uk with the subject line of the event title. Thank you.

Weather and clothing:

Please bring water shoes or wellies to paddle in the water with and a change of clothes.
Please wear appropriate clothing for the days weather: consider sun cream, sun hats and plenty of water if the weather is warm but ensure you bring adequate layers if the weather is chilly and bring waterproofs for the everchanging British weather.

Event Location - River Dour

The River Dour is a chalk stream which flows from Kearsney to Dover docks. The chalk stream habitat of the Dour is globally rare and the crystal-clear waters support an abundance of wildlife.

The river is easily accessible from Dover town centre and is a ten-minute walk from Dover Priory train station. The four mile signposted ‘River Dour Greenway’ trail follows the river from sea to source as it passes through the town of Dover and ends at the village of Temple Ewell. The river can also be easily accessed while visiting Pencester Gardens in Dover and Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens in Kearsney.

Find out more about our Heritage Lottery funded project Our Finest Dour, which set out to raise awareness of the importance of the River Dour. An overview of the project is here.

The Kent Downs National Landscape funded Dour to Downs project is now underway, continuing on the work from Our Finest Dour but adding new elements. To find out more please email riverdour@dover.gov.uk