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- Dover Castle
- Alt Name:
- United Kingdom
- The Normans
- 1000AD - 1099AD
- William the Conqueror
- Dover, Canterbury,
- Battle Abbey and Battlefield, Pevensey Castle,
Hastings Castle, Denge Sound Mirrors,
Dover Castle history
Dover Castle has been a vitally important fortress in English history, leading it to be known as 'the key to England'. Dover Castle’s location is a central aspect of this history.
Perched high on the England’s coastal white cliffs overlooking the shortest crossing between the island and mainland Europe, Dover Castle has been seen as the first line of defence from invasion. In fact, even before the castle was erected, Dover’s cliffs were a popular site for building strongholds over the centuries with evidence dating back to the Iron Age. Two other such sites, an Ancient Roman lighthouse and an Anglo Saxon fort, are still visible nearby.
The first incarnation of Dover Castle was itself built in the eleventh century by William the Conqueror. Fresh from his victory at the 1066 Battle of Hastings, he built a castle of timber and earth. Over the centuries, Dover Castle would be improved, expanded and renovated, but throughout this time and until 1958 it would be continually garrisoned.
It was King Henry II who gave Dover Castle its recognizable form as a stone fortress in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, with further adaptations being made over time to cope with ever changing threats. One of the most interesting parts of Dover Castle is its labyrinth of underground passages.
Designed by William Twiss and constructed within the cliffs themselves in the eighteenth century, these underground tunnels and barracks were intended to defend Britain from a perceived threat of invasion during the Napoleonic Wars. Despite never being needed for this purpose, the tunnels have proved eminently useful in other endeavours, including as a headquarters in the fight against smuggling and, upon being adapted to become bomb-proof, as secret wartime tunnels during World War Two. Dover Castle’s tunnels continued to play a military role and, in what is known as their finest hour, they formed a base during the Dunkirk evacuations in 1940.
Dover Castle Today
Today, Dover Castle is managed by English Heritage and is open to the public, providing a fascinating insight into the fortress’s history. Visitors can explore the medieval castle and its underground tunnels, viewing numerous exhibitions which immerse them in the lives of Dover Castle’s former inhabitants and tell its fascinating story. Much of this extremely well preserved castle has been restored to its original state or to show what it would have been like at different points in history, offering a truly authentic experience. Fans of ancient history can also view a well-preserved Roman lighthouse. Guided tours are available, some free, some at a charge.
Just as empires rise and fall so do entry fees and opening hours! While we work as hard as we can to ensure the information provided here about Dover Castle is as accurate as possible, the changing nature of certain elements mean we can't absolutely guarantee that these details won't become a thing of the past. If you know of any information on this page that needs updating you can add a comment above or now.
Address: Dover Castle, Harold’s Road, Dover, Kent, CT16 1HU
Phone: +44 (0)1304 211067
Directions to Dover Castle :
Dover Castle is located on the cliffs of Dover, on the eastern outskirts of Dover town centre in Kent. The nearest train station is Dover Priory Railway Station which can be reached from London’s Charing Cross and Victoria stations within 2hrs. By car from London, the journey is around 70 miles along the M20, taking under 2hrs. From Canterbury, the drive takes around 25 mins along the A2/Dover Road.
Dover Castle opening times and ticket prices:
Dover Castle is open Apr-Sept, 10am to 6pm and 10am-5pm Oct. Open from 9:30am in August. Weekends only Nov-Mar, 10am to 4pm. Closed 24-26 December and 1 January. Admission costs £17.50 for adults, £10.50 for children and free for English Heritage members with concessions available.
Dover Castle has a year-round restaurant and other facilities such a coffee shop and a tea bar that’s open from April to October as well as during most of the winter months. Parking is available on site. Disabled access available to most of the site (phone ahead for certain facilities) and mobility scooters on request. Check with English Heritage for more information.
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