Dover Castle

Dover Castle is England's mightiest fortress, a vast medieval stronghold commanding the White Cliffs above the narrowest point of the Channel, the gateway between England and the Continent for nearly a thousand years. The great keep, built by Henry II in the 12th century, has been vividly re-presented as a medieval royal palace, while beneath the castle a labyrinth of secret wartime tunnels tells how Dover masterminded the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940 and served as a hospital and command centre.

This layering, Roman lighthouse, medieval castle, Napoleonic defences, and WWII tunnels, makes Dover one of the most complete and rewarding historic sites in Britain. Allow most of a day; the views across to France on a clear day are a bonus.

Don't miss

• The Great Tower, re-created as Henry II's medieval palace
• The Secret Wartime Tunnels and the Dunkirk story
• The Roman lighthouse, one of the oldest buildings in Britain
• Views across the Channel to France on clear days
• Centuries of defences layered in one site

Good for

How travelers rate it

Know before you go

• Allow most of a day, the keep, tunnels, and grounds are extensive.
• The wartime tunnels are a timed/guided experience and can have queues; do them early.
• It's a steep hilltop site with cobbles, wear good shoes.
• English Heritage members enter free; otherwise book online to save.

A bit of history

Fortified since the Iron Age and Roman times (a Roman lighthouse still stands within the walls), Dover Castle was rebuilt on a grand scale by Henry II in the 1180s. It was repeatedly adapted, Napoleonic-era tunnels, then WWII command tunnels from which Operation Dynamo (the Dunkirk evacuation) was directed. It's now run by English Heritage.