Dover Castle – The defender of England

As we wait for our travel date to arrive we continue our exploration of our local area. One major site which has been on our list for some time is Dover Castle, a familiar site majestically standing proud atop the white cliffs of Dover, keeping watch over the English Channel across to mainland Europe, keeping England safe through the ages, a myriad of underground tunnels holding secrets of days gone by. 

This site has been occupied in some form since Roman times, the Castle in its present form built by King Henry II and has played a key part in England’s defences throughout many wars, not least of course the two major wars of the 20th century.

We take a tour of the war tunnels which played such a huge part in that period of history, providing amongst other things, underground barracks, front line hospital facilities, strategic war rooms and even potential refuge from atomic bombs.

It’s fascinating to walk around a place which has served essentially the same purpose on multiple occasions throughout its long history, from the Romans, through the bellicose times of Henry II right up until our own lifetimes. Such is its crucial strategic location, high up above the closest coastline to mainland Europe, that re-fortification at the first hint of potential attack has always been a first response.

The combination of static displays, actual artefacts, video shows and reconstructions are all cleverly done and make Dover Castle an excellent destination. And, in our own experience today, a great day out even when blasted all day by howling gales blowing in off the sea.