Name: Dover Castle
Address: Castle Hill, Dover, Kent, CT16 1HU
Telephone: 0370 333 1181

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Dover Castle

Dover Castle is now open for you to visit. You now need to book your timed tickets in advance. We have introduced limits on visitor numbers to help keep everyone safe, and you won’t be able to visit without your booking confirmation. If you’re a Member, your ticket will be free, but you still need to book in advance. There will be other new steps in place to ensure everyone’s safety, so your visit will be a little different.

How to Book your visit

Read our FAQ

Keeping you Safe

What to expect on your visit

Summer Adventure Quest 18 July - 30 August

Download your trail map

Summer Fun

Find out More

Open Daily 10am - 5pm

See full prices and opening times

Address

Castle Hill, Dover, Kent, CT16 1HU

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Welcome to Dover Castle

We have introduced limits on visitor numbers to help keep everyone safe, and you won’t be able to visit without your booking confirmation. If you’re a Member, your ticket will be free, but you still need to book in advance. To book your visit, click here.

Although things might be a little different when you visit, you’ll still be able to enjoy exploring the places where history really happened. And you’ll still be given a warm and safe welcome by our friendly – if socially distant – staff and volunteers.

Please click here for more information about the safety measures you can expect when visiting as well as our FAQs.

Castle Grounds - The grounds and wide open spaces of Dover Castle will be fully open for you to enjoy.
Great Tower -The inside of the Great Tower will be open to visitors with a one way system in place to guide you. The Keep Yard and the Arthur’s Hall exhibition space explaining the history of the Great Tower will also be open.
Castle Tunnels – The Secret Wartime Tunnels and the medieval tunnels will remain closed.
New for Summer - From 18 July join our family friendly activities across the grounds including live interpretation in the open air and our fun summer quest trail.
WWI Fire Command Post – The ground floor of the WWI Fire Command Post is open but the upstairs Port War Signalling Station remains closed. The rooftop viewing platform with striking views across the channel is open.
Cafe - A new alternative takeaway service offering a range of snacks, treats and hot drinks will be available at two locations.
Shop - The Great Tower shop will be open,with a new one way system in place.
Toilets - The castle's toilet facilities will be open. Additional hand sanitising stations will be available in various locations.

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Summer Fun at Dover Castle

SUMMER QUEST

This summer, from 18 July, take your family on a free fun adventure quest with a historical twist. Download your trail map here.

SUMMER WEEKENDS

On weekends from 18 July we will bring the castle’s WWII stories to life with live interpretation in the open air. Step back in time to 1940 when Dover was on the front line of the war. Find out More.

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Things to See and Do

Dover Castle Timeline

800 BC - AD 43Iron Age Hillfort

Massive earth ramparts and ditches are constructed, which will provide the foundation for the medieval castle's curtain walls. Regular cross-Channel trading takes place.

115-40A Roman Lighthouse

The Romans build a lighthouse here to guide ships into the harbour, the base of the fleet patrolling the Channel.

7th CenturyMinster Church

Eadbald, King of Kent, founds a minster church for 22 monks in the 'castrum' of Dover - either the Roman fort in the town or the hillfort on the headland.

10th-Early 11th CenturySt Mary's Church

The church of St Mary in Castro is built beside the lighthouse.

1066Norman Castle

William the Conqueror defeats King Harold, then turns to Dover. He takes the town, burns it, and builds fortifications there, before heading to London for his coronation.

Find out more about the history of Dover Castle

1180-89The Castle Rebuilt

Henry II rebuilds Dover Castle, spending vast sums on it. It is the most expensive castle project of its time.

1205-15First Royal Fleet

King John establishes the first royal fleet and completes the castle's outer defences.

1216-17Great Siege

After King John reneges on Magna Carta, Prince Louis of France invades England and besieges Dover Castle. It is successfully defended by a few hundred men.

1217-56The Castle Completed

Under Henry III, enormous sums are spent strengthening Dover, making it one of the largest and most strategically important castles in England.

1263-65De Montfort's Dover

Simon de Montfort challenges Henry III's government and captures Dover Castle. The future Edward I is briefly held prisoner here.

1265Countess Eleanor de Montfort

After de Montfort is killed in battle his wife, Eleanor, leads the defence of Dover, holding out with 29 archers. She is forced to surrender to Prince Edward when he brings troops from London.

1520Fit for an Emperor

On 25 May the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, arrives at Dover for a meeting with Henry VIII. The emperor probably stays in the great tower.

1625-6Castle in Decline

Henrietta Maria, the teenage French princess, occupies the castle but is said to be 'poorly accommodated'. It is later refurbished by George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham.

1642Civil War

The garrison of 20 remains loyal to Charles I. A daring merchant called Drake and 11 men scale the cliffs and take the castle for Parliament, with few shots fired.

18th CenturyExpert Defences

England faces the threat of French invasion, so the defences are upgraded.

1793-1815Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Huge sums are spent on the town and castle defences. Barracks are constructed in a complex of tunnels beneath the castle.

1850sAnother Napoleon

Major renovations take place again with the threat of invasion from Napoleon III.

1890sHistorical Appreciation

The top floor of the Great Tower is furnished with displays of armour and opened to the public.

1904State Care

The church of St Mary in Castro, Roman lighthouse and Colton's Gate are transferred to the Ancient Monuments Branch of the Ministry of Works.

1939-45Second World War

The Napoleonic tunnels have a new role as naval and later combined services headquarters, where the Dunkirk evacuation is masterminded. Air attacks earn the area around Dover the nickname 'Hellfire Corner'.

1956End of Military Use

The castle's last gun batteries are scrapped.

1962-1980sFinal Secret

After the Cuban Missile Crisis, the tunnels are renovated and equipped to serve as one of 12 regional seats of government in the event of nuclear war.