Day Planner

What to do on site?
Which English Heritage properties are nearby?
Which other places of interest are nearby?

What to do on site?

Explore the Keep

Suggested time needed: 30 minutes – 1 hour

Be inspired by the castle fit for a king as preparations take place for Henry VIII’s brief stay. Recount the epic sieges of 1216 as the castle resists invasion and enjoy panoramic views from the keep roof.

Explore the Medieval Underground works

Suggested time needed: 30 minutes – 1 hour

Immerse yourself these atmospheric defensive tunnels and imagine life as medieval or Napoleonic Wars soldiers.

Explore the Secret Wartime Tunnels

Suggested time needed: 45 minutes

Take our atmospheric tour brought to life through sights, sounds and pathe news clips, through the labyrinth of tunnels which housed the World War II Military Command Centre and underground hospital.

Which English Heritage properties are nearby?

Walmer Castle & Gardens

Distance: 8 miles

Originally built during the reign of Henry VIII as part of a chain of coastal artillery defences against Catholic attack from Europe, Walmer Castle has evolved over time into an elegant residence.

Deal Castle

Distance: 9 miles

Deal Castle is one of the finest Tudor artillery castles in England. It is among the earliest and most elaborate of a chain of coastal forts.

Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre

Distance: 14 miles

Evocatively sited amid the East Kent marshes, Richborough is perhaps the most symbolically important of all Roman sites in Britain.

St Augustine’s Abbey

Distance: 17 miles

The impressive abbey is situated outside the city walls and is part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site, along with the cathedral and St Martin’s Church. At the abbey, you can also enjoy the museum and free audio tour.

Which other places of interest are nearby?

Discovery Centre in Dover

Walking distance: 10 minutes

Dover Museum is a local history and archaeology museum and is home to the Dover Bronze Age Boat, the world's oldest known seagoing boat and a fascinating archaeological discovery.

Seafront

Walking distance: 10 minutes

Visit Dover’s seafront and you’ll find a pebble beach, the prom and pier as well as the biggest roll-on-roll-off ferry port in the world!

Dover Transport Museum

The museum has road vehicles of all types, from bicycles to buses. Model Railway and Tramway. Local transport history. Hundreds of models. Bygone shops and garage.

Goodnestone Park Gardens

Distance: 15 miles

Considered to be one of the best gardens in the South East, with 14 acres including a woodland area and walled garden. Fine trees, large collection of roses and herbaceous plants. Connections with Jane Austen who frequently visited. One of only 3 gardens in Kent to be awarded the coveted 2 Stars by the Good Gardener's Guide.

White Cliffs Boat Tours

See the fantastic sights of Dover from aboard our 70-seater passenger vessel southern queen. Enjoy our commentary on the history of the Port and Town. View the famous White Cliffs of Dover, Dover Castle and visiting cruise ships. Duration approx. 40 minutes.

The Western Heights

Extensive coastal fortifications dating from 1700’s to 1800’s with spectacular views over Dover and the Channel - way marked from the town centre, visitors can walk the walls, ramparts and trenches via a network of restored footpaths. Open all year and admission is FREE.

National Trust Cliff Top Walk

The Gateway to the White Cliffs visitor building provides an introduction to the White Cliffs (located on Langdon Cliffs – parking and disabled facilities available). Visitors can enjoy lunches and snacks at the coffee shop whilst taking in the spectacular views of the Straits of Dover.

Kearnsey Abbey (park with Abbey ruins)

Informal parklands at Kearnsey Abbey are laid out around two ornamental lakes through which the River Dour flows. The site with its large gardens including stream, woods and lake are popular at all times of the year but especially in the summer time when the lawns become a favourite picnic site at weekends. A play area for children is available and the lower lake is used for model boating.

English Heritage Properties nearby

Other nearby attractions