This is the largest castle in the British Isles with very impressive outer ditches and ramparts of Iron-Age origin, but with medieval and 19th century modifications. The inner ward built by Henry II in the 1180s has rectangular flanking towers, with pairs of them flanking the two gateways.  Little remains of the medieval apartments but there is a huge central square keep with square corner turrets and a big forebuilding.  The outer defences have a mixture of rectangular and D-shaped towers and remains of two 13th century gateways. A very extensive outer ward extending to the cliff-edge also contains a cruciform Saxon church, an octagonal Roman pharos or lighthouse still standing 12m high and an underground command centre of the 1930s and 40s  with original furnishings and equipment.

Written by  Mike Salter.

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Dover Castle

Dover Castle is a real icon of England, with a history stretching back to Norman times and on up through to Henry VIII's turbulent private and public life. Visitors can enjoy various multi-media and interactive trickery, with a tour of the network of secret WWII tunnels deep inside the White Cliffs, a real experience.

 

Review posted 17th December 2007 by matt_b.

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