Top 2 Castles around Dover

Adults 32 pounds

High atop the iconic White Cliffs of Dover sits the most iconic of all English fortresses

From here you have a beautiful view of the gate.

Deal Castle is an artillery fort built by Henry VIII in Deal, Kent, between 1539 and 1540. It was part of the King's Device program to protect against invasions from France and the Holy Roman Empire, and defended the strategically important Downs anchorage off the English coast. Consisting of a keep with six inner and outer bastions, the water-surrounded stone castle covered 0.85 acres (0.34 ha) and had sixty-six firing positions for artillery. During the Second English Civil War of 1648-49, Deal was captured by pro-Royalist rebels and was only recaptured by Parliamentary forces after several months of fighting. Although still armed, Deal was adapted by Sir John Norris and Lord Carrington during the 18th and 19th centuries to form a more suitable private home for the captain of the castle, which was now an honorary title.

Walmer Castle is an artillery fort originally built by Henry VIII in Walmer, Kent, between 1539 and 1540. It was part of the King's Device program to protect against invasions from France and the Holy Roman Empire, defending the strategically important Downs anchorage off the English coast. Walmer Castle later became the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and was gradually transformed from a military fortress into a private residence. Inside the castle there are new areas to explore, opening to the public for the first time in 2024. Discover the Lord Warden's private chambers and see where the Queen Mother stayed during her visits. The grounds include the Queen Mother's Garden, designed by Penelope Hobhouse as a 95th birthday present for Elizabeth in 1997.

The round shape of the fortress is striking; from above it looks like a rose blossom. The round shape was designed to better withstand the projectiles from ships' cannons.

A Henry VIII fort built in 1539. There is a circular keep, 270 feet in diameter, surrounded by 6 circular bastions

Beautiful and definitely worth seeing fortress, you should definitely plan around 3 to 4 hours to visit the complex and take part in guided tours through the tunnel system. For several centuries, Dover Castle has guarded the narrowest part of the English Channel and thus the "access" to England, which is why it is also called the "Key to England". Dover Castle towers over the chalk cliffs and is considered one of England's most famous landmarks with great symbolic value.