Dover Castle is just too large to be covered in a single entry so I will be starting with the Medieval Castle and then in another entry I will cover the more contemporary developments of the castle.
The castle sits on a high ground and seems to be a natural defense site. The site has been continuously in use for 2000 years. From 120 AD, a lighthouse, called a pharos guided ships during Roman times and at around 1000 AD, a church was built beside. The lighthouse was later converted to a bell tower for the church and both of them are still standing. The church was later rebuilt but the lighthouse could be one of the oldest buildings in the UK.
Visitor Information: English Heritage Property, free for members Admission: Adult £13.90, Child £7.90, Concession £11.90, Family £34.80 Parking free
Roman Pharos on the left, Church of St Mary-in-Castro on the right
Inside the Roman Pharos
Inside the church
The medieval castle, consisting of an inner keep and an outer bailey, was built by Henry II in the 12th century. The term “bailey” refers to the outer walls of the castle, or the area within the walls. Inside contains a working chapel dedicated to Thomas Becket, an Archbishop of Canterbury who was murdered by Henry’s knights. There are just 2 large rooms or halls in the keep and a lower large kitchen. One was used as a reception hall and the other a bedroom.
Inner keep, or the Great Tower
1 of the 2 great halls. Probably used as a reception hall.
Working chapel dedicated to Thomas Becket
1 of the 2 great halls, recreated as a bedroom by English Heritage
A large lower room used as storage and as a kitchen
A lot of these small and narrow galleries around the castle.
Views from the top of the keep
Reinforcement done to the outer walls
Gate of the inner bailey at the Northern side
Tunnels were dug at the Northern side of the castle to improve the defenses during the early 13th century. These are the medieval tunnels located at the outer bailey where troops could emerge to flank the enemies when the castle was under siege. They are not to be confused with the “Secret Wartime Tunnels” which were dug into the white cliffs of Dover.
Dover Castle – Medieval
16th May 2010
Dover Castle is just too large to be covered in a single entry so I will be starting with the Medieval Castle and then in another entry I will cover the more contemporary developments of the castle.
The castle sits on a high ground and seems to be a natural defense site. The site has been continuously in use for 2000 years. From 120 AD, a lighthouse, called a pharos guided ships during Roman times and at around 1000 AD, a church was built beside. The lighthouse was later converted to a bell tower for the church and both of them are still standing. The church was later rebuilt but the lighthouse could be one of the oldest buildings in the UK.
Visitor Information:
English Heritage Property, free for members
Admission: Adult £13.90, Child £7.90, Concession £11.90, Family £34.80
Parking free
View Larger Map
The medieval castle, consisting of an inner keep and an outer bailey, was built by Henry II in the 12th century. The term “bailey” refers to the outer walls of the castle, or the area within the walls. Inside contains a working chapel dedicated to Thomas Becket, an Archbishop of Canterbury who was murdered by Henry’s knights. There are just 2 large rooms or halls in the keep and a lower large kitchen. One was used as a reception hall and the other a bedroom.
Tunnels were dug at the Northern side of the castle to improve the defenses during the early 13th century. These are the medieval tunnels located at the outer bailey where troops could emerge to flank the enemies when the castle was under siege. They are not to be confused with the “Secret Wartime Tunnels” which were dug into the white cliffs of Dover.