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Castle · Dover, Inglaterra
Dover Castle
The fortress atop Dover's cliffs, with the Grande Torre of Henrique II from the 12th century, a Roman lighthouse, a Saxon church and the secret tunnels from which the evacuation of Dunquerque was commanded in 1940. From English Heritage.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Dover Castle
The Castelo de Dover occupies the top of the cliffs above Dover port, at the point in England closest to France. The site has been fortified since the Iron Age, and the stone castle was built by King Henrique II from the 1180s, with the Grande Torre at the centre, surrounded by two lines of walls. As the kingdom's gateway it was strengthened and used by the military until the 20th century.
The Grande Torre has been furnished as in Henrique II's time, with halls, chambers and the chapel, decorated in bright colours, tapestries and reproduction furniture. Within the walls are also the Roman lighthouse, one of the oldest standing buildings in Britain, built in the 1st or 2nd century, and the Anglo-Saxon church of Santa Maria in Castro beside it.
Below the castle, dug into the limestone of the cliffs, are the Túneis Secretos da Guerra. They were opened at the end of the 18th century during the wars with Napoleonic France and enlarged in the Second World War. From there, in 1940, Vice-Admiral Bertram Ramsay commanded Operação Dínamo, the evacuation of more than 300,000 Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunquerque. The guided tour of the tunnels reconstructs the days of the evacuation and shows the underground hospital.
The castle is large and involves many climbs; a small internal train usually links the areas. The tunnels are only visited at times booked on arrival.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day at minimum: about 1h30 for the Grande Torre, 1 hour for the tunnels and additional time for the walls and the lighthouse.
Best time
Arrive at opening and book the tunnel time straightaway, as queues form around midday. From spring to autumn the castle is open daily; in winter, only part of the week. Clear days allow views of the French coast from the walls.
How to get there
It sits atop Castle Hill, about 2 km from Dover town centre. From Dover Priory station it's a steep walk of roughly 30 minutes, or reachable by local bus and taxi. By car there is parking inside the castle.
Tip
Do the war tunnels first and then the Grande Torre. From the seaward side of the walls, look for the French coast on the horizon and the movement of ferries in the port below.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Dover Castle
What are the Túneis Secretos da Guerra?
Tunnels dug into the chalk beneath the castle, used since the Napoleonic Wars and, in 1940, as a command centre for the evacuation of Dunquerque.
How much time to allow for the Castelo de Dover?
Half a day at minimum. Those who want to see everything at a relaxed pace spend the whole day.
Can you walk from the station?
Yes, about a 30-minute walk with a steep climb. A taxi or local bus saves the climb.
Is the Castelo de Dover open all year?
It is open daily from spring to autumn and partially during the week in winter. Check the English Heritage website.