Dover Castle

Dover Castle stands on the white cliffs above the Strait of Dover, commanding sweeping views across the English Channel towards France. Founded in the 11th century and substantially rebuilt by Henry II in the 1180s, it is one of the largest and most strategically important castles in England, earning it the nickname the Key to England. The great keep and surrounding curtain walls remain remarkably intact, and visitors can climb to the battlements for panoramic views over the harbour and, on a clear day, the French coast.

The site spans almost two thousand years of military history. Within the grounds stand the remains of a Roman lighthouse, the Pharos, which is among the tallest surviving Roman structures in Britain, alongside the Anglo-Saxon church of St Mary in Castro. The Great Tower has been reimagined as it might have appeared in Henry II's day, with brightly painted chambers, tapestries and recreated medieval furnishings that bring the royal court to life.

Hidden beneath the castle, a warren of secret wartime tunnels played a pivotal role in the Second World War. They served as the command centre for Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk in 1940, and later housed an underground military hospital. Guided tours through the tunnels offer one of the most atmospheric experiences at the site, combining sound effects, projections and original equipment to evoke the tension of wartime operations.