Pictures Of Dover Castle

Built of a high cliff, in a strategic position facing threats from Europe, Dover castle has always been an important part of Britain's line of defence.


The castle has been kept intact through almost continuous use as some sort of military establishment since the Normans built the Keep in 1168 until the 1980s. There is a huge amount to see and explore, including various exhibitions.


The bulk of Dover Castle, as we know it today, dates from a century after the Norman Conquest. Soon after the Battle of Hastings, in the autumn of 1066, William the Conqueror spent eight days at Dover strengthening fortifications which had only recently been rebuilt by the defeated Harold. Yet neither William's works nor those of Harold are identifiable today and, with the exception of the church and pharos, the masonry of Dover Castle dates from the twelfth century or later.


The secret of Dover castle was the miles of secret underground tunnels that lead under the famous white cliffs. The first of these was constructed in the Middle Ages, they were extended during the Napoleonic wars, when up to 2000 men could be housed within them. During W.W.II they were used as offices; here the evacuation of 338,000 British and French soldiers from beaches of Dunkirk was masterminded. Churchill formulated the plans for the eventual invasion here, and there is a hidden balcony in the cliffs where he could look out to sea. The tunnels, their offices and the underground hospital are fascinating to visit and one of the most memorable parts of our visit.