Make the most of your day out at Dover Castle
Explore England’s mightiest fortress with this guide to an exciting day out at Dover Castle. Discover all the must-see sights and activities for an action-packed visit!
Once you've been inspired, just click the button below to see opening times and book your tickets (book your visit in advance and save 15%).
The Great Tower
Step inside a regal medieval world, full of the pomp, pageantry and intrigue of King Henry II's court. The rooms include wall hangings, stunning furnishings and over 500 intricate objects, offering a genuine re-creation of a regal medieval world.
Between 1180 and 1189 Henry II spent over £6,000 on the construction of Dover Castle, and the Great Tower was the centre of his project, a symbol of his royal power to impress (and maybe intimidate) all visitors.
Dover Castle Under Siege
Dive into the forgotten tale of the 1216-17 siege of Dover Castle and unearth how this pivotal event stopped the English throne from falling into French hands. Through hands-on displays and games, discover what life was like during the siege, then explore the medieval tunnels that were used to defend the castle.
You can also step into the shoes of an 1800s soldiers when fears of French invasion reached another peak.
Siege play area
Let your little soldiers take on the castle in our action-packed, siege-themed play area. From scrabbling through tunnels and scaling walls to defending the ramparts and firing the trebuchet, children will love creating their own stories. The big question, though, is who will be triumphant?
See the castle from a different angle
Having twisted and turned through the medieval tunnels, emerge into the daylight and reset your dizzy heads with a stunning view of the castle. Take a seat on the benches and revel in the sense of scale of Dover Castle from the previously inaccessible northern spur. If you don't fancy the tunnels then fear not, you can enjoy a ramble along the new pathway from one of the gatehouses.
First World War fire command post
Over one hundred years after guns on the White Cliffs first successfully repelled a German Zeppelin raid, Dover Castle once again resounds to the sound of artillery fire. As well as commanding amazing views of the English Channel, our recreated First World War fire command post vividly brings to life when soldiers watched out for enemy action from this unparalleled vantage point. On select days volunteers in uniform tell the stories of those who were posted here and also host regular firing demonstrations of the British 3-inch gun.
Britain's oldest surviving lighthouse
Discover the Roman pharos, the oldest surviving lighthouse in the country (and one of the oldest in the world), which once guided Roman ships across the English Channel. The lighthouse supported fire beacons to act as navigation lights for ships approaching the narrow river mouth, enabling them to find a quayside outside the fort. The pharos was later reused for the church of St Mary in Castro as a chapel and bell tower, and both the church and pharos are well worth visiting today.
Treat yourself in one of our cafés
With so much to see and do at Dover Castle, take a breath and relax in onr of our cafés or food outlets which you'll find around the site. There are two main food outlets to choose from: the NAAFI Restaurant and The Great Tower Café.
During summer months, cool off with a treat from the Ice Cream Parlour. There's also an ice cream van on Palace Green and a coffee hut near the Wartime Tunnels.
Find out more about food and drink at Dover CastleOperation Dynamo and the secret wartime tunnels
Unfortunately the Secret Wartime Tunnels (including the Underground Hospital) are closed for essential maintenance. You can still find out about their fascinating stories and how they played their part in the Dunkirk evacuation (known as Operation Dynamo) on our history pages. In the meantime, there’s plenty of other things to see and do at Dover Castle.
