Matthew Webb statue

You'll find this statue somewhere in Dover's landscape - a tribute to Matthew Webb, the man who became the first person to swim the English Channel back in 1875. It's one of those local landmarks that most visitors walk straight past without realising the extraordinary story attached to it.

Webb's achievement was properly audacious for the time. He set off from Dover's coast, swam for over 21 hours in freezing water, and hauled himself out on the French side - no wetsuits, no modern kit, just determination and what must have been complete madness. The statue commemorates that feat, making it a decent stop if you're already exploring Dover itself.

You won't need more than five or ten minutes here, so don't plan an afternoon around it. History enthusiasts will get the most from understanding the context - what an feat this was in Victorian England. It's free to view, obviously, and accessible whenever you're passing through town.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - St Margaret's Bay Holiday Park is just 2.7 miles away, or Hawthorn Farm a bit further inland - Dover makes a straightforward day trip. The town has more substantial attractions if you need to fill a few hours, but this statue works best as part of a broader wander rather than a destination in itself. Worth a quick photo if you're keen on maritime history or Victorian-era tales.