One of England’s most imposing and historic strongholds is Dover Castle. It has stood since 1066, when William the Conqueror initially constructed a fortress there, on a high position overlooking the English Channel.
Dover Castle is more than a historical monument, and we’re here to tell you our top 7 reasons to visit Dover Castle.
Seeing the Secret Wartime Tunnels
The first sight to behold when visiting Dover Castle is the wartime tunnels.
A network of covert tunnels beneath the White Cliffs of Dover operated as a haven and a tactical military location.
Admiral Ramsay and his colleagues used the tunnels under Dover Castle as a command center and control during World War II to carry out Operation Dynamo, better known as the Miracle of Dunkirk.
Visitors may visit the communication center, administrative sections, dorms, hospitals, and shelters, all of which have unique films and realistic video projections on the walls that depict various wartime situations.
Visiting the Underground Hospital
Continuing with the theme of underground exploration, the next destination is the fascinating historic underground hospital.
In 1941, a portion of the tunnels dug into the rock beneath Dover Castle and behind the well-known white cliffs were transformed into a hospital.There is so much we can learn and explore by endulging in a WW2 tour.
The narrative of the injured pilot struggling for his life and the men and women who worked to rescue lives is told to visitors to the hospital today.
The tour attempts to convey to tourists the atmosphere inside the hospital when bombs are dropped outside with a sound and light presentation.
Walk Along The Battlements And Paved Paths
The next item on the agenda is to stroll around the vast battlefields and remarkable defenses that encircle the impressive Dover Castle.
Dover Castle had the most extensive alterations since the 1100s in reaction to Napoleon’s ascension to power. Today, you can take the family for a stroll along these majestic battlements and take in the Channel’s crisp, clean air while you see Dover’s defenses.
It appears to stretch on forever, but it is a genuinely amazing experience to view the English Channel’s beautiful seas as far as the eye can reach, accompanied by a mild sea wind and a clear blue sky.
Dine At The Castle
You’re bound to become hungry when seeing Dover Castle. You fortunately have a few choices so it’s best to bring your meals if you are on a tight budget. As long as the weather is cooperative, finding a decent location with a view is easy.
Some of the inner bailey walls are still present in the 1901 construction of the Great Tower Cafe. They provide ice cream, cakes, sandwiches, homemade soup, and snacks.
While the other foods mentioned don’t sound like medieval delicacies, the soup is authentic and is a recipe that has been used for centuries.
The Tunnel’s Tea Room is the last place where you may eat. Alongside the store, this is a part of the Secret Wartime Tunnels’ original Napoleonic Tunnel complex. You don’t have to take the tunnel tour to visit the Tea Room, where you can buy sandwiches, cakes, and ice cream.
A Trip Up the Roman Lighthouse
One delight of seeing the magnificent Dover Castle is getting to view an extremely rare delight of a standing Roman lighthouse.
To help ancient Dubris, they constructed the lighthouse. Ancient Roman Britain’s port of Dubris was near Dover.
One of the best surviving Roman lighthouses to be found today is the Roman lighthouse. Interestingly, it is said to have been a duplicate of the lighthouse built by Emperor Caligula at Boulogne-sur-Mer, close to Calais, France.
They converted the lighthouse into the church’s bell tower during the 13th and 14th centuries when battlements were added to give it the appearance of a fortified church tower.
Interactive WW1 Command Post
During the First World War, they designated the region around Dover as a fortress and housed a garrison of nearly 10,000 troops.
At the Fire Command Post, tales of Dover Castle during World War I are reconstructed and repeated.
A British 3-inch gun that is exclusive to the Fire Command Post was created in 1915 and was among the first of its kind created expressly to oppose aerial warfare, a new danger. There are just six operational examples of this precious masterpiece in the entire globe.
While here, you may experiment with Morse code and take in the expansive vistas of the Straits of Dover.
See The Church of St Mary
The Church of St. Mary in Castro is a noteworthy church that dates back to the year 1000 AD and previously housed holy relics in the Middle Ages.
Between 1793 and 1815, it served as a coal storage facility for the Napoleonic War.
The Church of St. Mary in Castro, which is a Grade I listed structure, had a complete restoration in 1862. The Dover Garrison Church is a vibrant church that serves the local Dover, Army community.
Every Sunday at 10:00, services begin. Every second Sunday of the month, there is Holy Communion and Sung Matins. So not only will you be able to visit one of the most historic English castles, but you can also see and possibly attend a Sunday service.
