FAQs about the history of Dover Castle

When was Dover Castle built?

Castle Hill, the site of Dover Castle, was occupied before the Norman Conquest, and it is possible that the ditch which encircles the site dates from the Iron Age. In 1066, William the Conqueror came to Dover, captured a defended enclosure on the hill and strengthened it but there have been no surviving remains found above ground. The castle visible today was estabilished by King Henry II and was built in the decade 1179 - 89. Over the next 800 years, its buildings, defences and tunnels were adapted to meet the changing demands of warfare, high-status accommodation and military command.

Who built Dover Castle?

The castle visible today was established by King Henry II in the decade 1179–89. Under the supervision of his engineer, Maurice, Henry’s masons built the great tower, the inner bailey’s curtain wall and possibly started on the outer bailey’s curtain wall. Construction of the castle’s outer defences was continued by Henry’s son, John, and completed in the reign of his grandson, Henry III. John and Henry III also built residential accommodation in the inner bailey, which was maintained and occasionally modified by subsequent monarchs. The castle ceased to be used as a royal residence in the 17th century, but its strategic importance meant that its defences were periodically updated, with major alterations being carried out in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Who lived in Dover Castle?

Dover Castle has been home to many people over the centuries, such as King Henry II who built much of the castle you see today. Eleanor de Montford also held the castle under siege during the Second Baron’s War in 1265. Its coastal location meant that it was used throughout the middle ages as a stopping place by kings and high-status travellers before and after journeys across the English Channel. The castle played host to many important visitors like Charles V the Holy Roman Emperor, Anne of Cleves and Queen Elizabeth I. From the 13th century onward, the constables of Dover Castle have been the Lords Warden of the Cinque Ports, and the castle was occupied by their staff. In the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries Dover Castle was a garrisoned fortification, and barracks were constructed to accommodate the large numbers of soldiers who were stationed here, with some provision being made for soldiers’ wives and children. The castle has also been used as a prison, with prisoners of war held in the great tower in the later 17th century, and later there was a debtors’ prison in the outer bailey serving the Cinque Ports jurisdiction.

Was Dover Castle ever attacked?

Yes, Dover Castle has faced attacks multiple times throughout its history. The most notable were the sieges of 1216 – 1217, when Prince Louis of France and rebellious English barons tried to overthrow King John, but the castle held firm. In the Second Barons’ War, in 1265, the castle was held by Eleanor de Montford against forces loyal to King Henry III before her honourable surrender of it. In 1642, during the English Civil War, Dover Castle was captured by Parliamentarian forces who had managed the difficult task of climbing the cliffs and surprising the garrison.

How long did it take to build Dover Castle?

The castle we see today is the result of multiple phases of building work, reflecting its history of adaptation and alteration over 800 years. The major rebuilding of Dover Castle, which took place under King Henry II, took a decade to complete. Building the great tower and inner bailey started in 1179 and finished in around 1189. The castle’s medieval outer defences were completed probably in the 1220s. In the 1740s the medieval buildings in the inner bailey were converted to barracks, and in the 1750s the castle’s defences were reformed to suit gunpowder artillery defence. During the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars between 1793 and 1815, the castle’s defences were again upgraded, and new earthwork bastions created outside the medieval ditch to mount guns. It was also at this time that tunnels were excavated in the cliffs to provide barrack accommodation. More recently, additional tunnels were excavated in the Second World War to house a military headquarters and medical field dressing station, and the castle’s tunnels were kept in readiness for use as a Regional Seat of Government during the Cold War.

How big is Dover Castle?

In terms of area, Dover Castle is the largest castle in England. Its outer bailey curtain wall contains an area of almost 32 acres. If the castle’s ditch and its post-medieval outer defences are included, then the total area it covers is over 50 acres.

How was Dover Castle built?

The king’s masons who built Dover Castle could rely on the resources of the Crown for materials. Most of the stone was locally procured and the castle’s medieval walls were built using flint, Folkestone greensand stone and Kentish ragstone. Components which required fine carving, such as the doorways and windows in the great tower, were made using stone imported from Caen in France. Timber for the floors and roofs of the castle’s buildings was supplied by the king’s forests, much of it coming from Essex. Building accounts from the 1220s reveal the hundreds of people who were then employed on construction work at the castle included masons, stone-cutters, ditch-diggers, plumbers, blacksmiths, carpenters, coopers, thatchers, carters and labourers.

FAQs about visiting Dover Castle

Where is Dover Castle?

Dover Castle is located on Castle Hill Road, Dover, in Kent, CT16 1HU.

Is Dover Castle dog friendly?

Dogs on short leads are welcome in the grounds only, but aren’t allowed in the Castle and buildings. Assistance dogs are welcome across the site. There is a dog friendly area in the Naafi Restaurant.

Is Dover Castle National Trust?

No, Dover Castle is not National Trust. It is managed by English Heritage.

Is Dover Castle English Heritage?

Yes, Dover Castle is managed by English Heritage. Tickets are free for English Heritage members.

What time does Dover Castle open?

• From 29 March 2025 – 30 June 2025, Dover Castle is open daily from 10am till 5pm daily, with last entry an hour before closing at 4pm.
• From 1 July 2025 – 31 August 2025, Dover Castle is open daily from 10am till 6pm, with last entry an hour before closing at 5pm.
• From 1 September 2025 – 25 October 2025, Dover Castle is open daily from 10am till 5pm, with last entry an hour before closing at 4pm.
• From 26 October 2025 – 2 November 2025, Dover Castle is open daily from 10am till 4pm, with last entry an hour before closing at 3pm.
• From 3 November 2025 – 23 December 2025, Dover Castle is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10am till 4pm, with last entry an hour before closing at 3pm.. It is closed from 24 December – 26 December 2025.
• From 27 December 2025 – 1 January 2026, Dover Castle is open daily from 10am till 4pm, with last entry an hour before closing at 3pm.
• From 2 January 2026 – 13 February 2026, Dover Castle is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10am till 4pm, with last entry an hour before closing at 3pm.
• From 14 February 2026 – 22 February 2026, Dover Castle is open daily from 10am till 4pm, with last entry an hour before closing at 3pm.
• From 23 February 2026 – 27 March 2026, Dover Castle is open Wednesday through to Sunday from 10am till 4pm, with last entry an hour before closing at 3pm.

Are Dover Castle’s tunnels open?

Yes, the tunnels at Dover Castle are open to explore, including the Secret Wartime Tunnels, where Operation Dynamo was masterminded. You can join guided tours included in general admission to the Castle. If you’re a member of English Heritage, entry is free.

Do you have to book Dover Castle?

You can save 15% off general admission tickets if you book in advance (up to midnight the day before) on the English Heritage website. You can also buy tickets on the day both online and Dover Castle, though these are at full price. Book advance tickets to Dover Castle and save 15%.

How long do you need at Dover Castle?

We recommend a minimum of 3 - 4 hours for a visit to Dover Castle, although you can spend a lot longer fully exploring the whole site. Last admission is one hour before we close. Please check the opening times of Dover Castle as these can vary.

How much is entry to Dover Castle?

Entry price to Dover Castle varies from season to season. Please see the prices and opening times for Dover Castle for more details. Entry is free if you are an English Heritage member.

Is Dover Castle free?

Tickets are free for English Heritage members. If you are nto an English Heritage member, you can save 15% off general admission tickets if you book in advance (up to midnight the day before) on the English Heritage website. You can also buy tickets on the day both online and Dover Castle, though these are at full price. Book tickets to Dover Castle.

How to get to Dover Castle?

To get to Dover Castle by road: Use Castle Hill Road, and follow roadside signage, there’s on-site parking within the site. Car parks are only for our visitors and you will need an admission ticket to park there. Please see our Directions page for more information on how to get to Dover Castle.

To get to Dover Castle by train: The nearest train station is Dover Priory. From there, it's about a 1-mile walk uphill, or you can take a bus. Please see our Directions page for more information on how to get to Dover Castle.

To get to Dover Castle by bus: Various Stagecoach East Kent bus services serve the area near Dover Castle. Please see our Directions page for more information on how to get to Dover Castle.

How to get to Dover Castle from London?

Dover Castle is located on Castle Hill Road, Dover in Kent, CT16 1HU.
By train from London: Take a Southeastern train to Dover Priory, then walk or catch a bus. To get to Dover Castle by car from London: Use the M2/A2 or M20/A20 roads. Please see our Directions page for more information on how to get to Dover Castle.

Is there parking at Dover Castle?

Yes, there is free on-site parking at Dover Castle for visitors which opens when the castle opens. There is space for 200 cars. There is a Blue Badge Holders’ Car Park near the Great Tower. During peak times, there is also off-site parking which is a 5 minute walk from the castle which can be found at Broadlees, CT16 1HW.