Captain Matthew Webb

Captain Matthew Webb's name is all over Dover's seafront, but the gallery dedicated to him is easy to walk straight past. Webb was the first person to swim the English Channel - back in 1875, which is properly mad when you think about it. The gallery itself is modest. You'll find photographs, newspaper clippings from his crossing, and bits of memorabilia that tell the story of a man obsessed with doing something nobody else had managed. It's the kind of place where you spend twenty minutes max, but those twenty minutes stick with you.

This works best for history buffs and anyone interested in Victorian-era sporting achievements. Kids under ten will find it a bit text-heavy, though the images help. Adults who know Dover's significance as a crossing point will appreciate the context - Webb's swim connected two shores that have defined British identity for centuries.

It's free to visit, which is the main thing in its favour. Allow half an hour if you're not rushed. The real attraction is Dover itself - the white cliffs, the castle, the seafront walk - so slot this in while you're exploring the town rather than making it a destination in itself.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks like St Margaret's Bay or Varne Ridge, you're well placed for Dover's attractions. The gallery sits within easy reach of everything else worth seeing in the town centre, making it a logical stop on a rainy afternoon or between other activities.