Schools

Schools

Bring the curriculum to life and inspire your students. Stand at the spot where Operation Dynamo was planned, or experience what life was like for a medieval king or servant.

"We've spent a lot of time doing pre-work about castles in the classroom, but it makes such a difference for them to see for themselves what they've been learning about."

Jo Cross, KS1 Teacher

Curriculum Links

Support your teaching in a fun and engaging way, with a visit to Dover Castle.

  • KS1-3: Local history study
  • KS1: Significant historical events, people and places
  • KS2: The changing power of monarchs. Extending chronological knowledge beyond 1066. Breaking codes in WW2.
  • KS2 & 3: Enriching mathematical understanding - breaking codes in WW2
  • KS3: Development of Church, state and society in Medieval Britain. Changes for Britain, Europe and the wider world 1901 to the present day
  • KS4: OCR: History A; Study of the Historic Environment, History B; History Around Us. AQA: Section B; British depth studies including the historic environment, Norman and Medieval England
  • KS5: OCR: Unit Y103/Y133; England 1199 - 1272, Unit Y113/Y143: Churchill 1930 - 1951. Edexcel: Paper 2, Option 2A.2: England and the Angevin Empire in the reign of Henry II, 1154 - 1189

Free Self-Led Visits

Enjoy a free self-led visit to Dover Castle and experience 2000 years of history. Start at our Roman lighthouse, then on to The Great Tower and learn more about Henry II. Delve into our Medieval tunnels on the way to our atmospheric Secret Wartime Tunnels. Find out more about WWI and the role of the WWI Fire Command Post by using our handling box, full of artefacts and activities. Book our education room and dress up in our costumes to get a feel for what it would have been like to have been a medieval lady or knight. 

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Expert-Led Discovery Visits

Bring Dover Castle to life and let us lead a Discovery Visit for you. Our sessions are interactive, hands-on and immersive and have been specifically designed to meet the needs of different groups across the key stages. Discover what life was like for the lords and ladies who lived at Dover Castle or step inside the Secret Wartime Tunnels and break secret codes and ciphers.

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Plan your visit

We have a wide range of materials to help support your visit and make school trip planning easy. Download our free Learning Resources, Hazard Information Sheets and Risk Assessments to help you make the most out of your visit and create unique learning experiences before, during and after your trip.

We also offer free planning visits for group leaders once you have made a booking. Our Education Booking Team are on hand to advise and help you create the best possible school trip to suit your needs and area of study.

 

  • Facilities
    • EDUCATION CENTRE: Available to pre-book, located in the Great Tower yard. Try on costumes, read about knights and princesses in our Story-Telling Room and get hands-on with our handling collection. 
    • PARKING: Free parking for cars and minibuses under 3m in height.  Coach parking available off site at council-run Pay and Display car park on Castle Hill.
    • TOILETS:  Toilets, including accessible toilets, located at all main areas of the property.
    • SHOP:  Two well-stocked shops on site which both sell a range of books and gifts. Goody bags are available to pre-order.
    • LUNCH: Two picnic rooms on site, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Also two cafés located on site, available for use by all visitors. 
    • ACCESSIBILITY:  Extensive grounds mainly accessible on tarmac paths, but some steep slopes.  Wheelchair accessible route available on request. Land train stops at various parts of the site and can be used by students with limited mobility.  Mobility scooters also available (to visitors over 18) if requested in advance.

  • How to book

    0370 333 0606

  • Education Opening Times

    • February and March: Wednesday to Sunday 10.00 - 16.00
    • April to September: 10.00 - 18.00
    • October: 10.00 - 17.00
    • November: Thursday 10.00 - 16.00
    • December and January: Closed

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