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Dover Castle is the longest serving fortification in England and a defense has existed on this site from the Iron Age.

The strategic position of Dover as the closest point between English and French coasts had long been recognised, but it was Henry II who created the first substantial Castle, with its concentric curtain walls and the imposing keep at its centre. The keep, as well as being a storehouse, also housed the royal apartments and two chapels. There are stunning views from the top of the keep.

Because of its defensive importance, Dover Castle has been maintained and modernised over the centurys and so remains intact, but with many original features.

Far beneath the Castle lie the Secret Underground Tunnels, some dating from the Middle Ages. These tunnels were originally constructed to enable the garrison to leave the Castle unseen, in order to launch a surprise attack. The tunnels were extended further during the Napoleonic wars in preparation for French invasion. Seven of these tunnels could accommodate up to 2,000 soldiers in the only underground barracks ever built in Britain.

Today you can see the Dover Underground Tunnels as they were during the Second World War, when 700 men and women occupied them. The operation to evacuate the British Expeditionary Force and French troops from Dunkirk's beaches, codenamed 'Operation Dynamo', was co-ordinated from here, and you can also see the Command Centre from which Churchill was to lead the Allied Forces to victory.

Exhibitions in Dover Castle detail how it survived a seige by the French in 1216, and the visit of Henry VIII in 1539.

The next nearest large town to Dover is Folkestone.

Hotels near Dover Castle
There are 50 hotels within 14.8 miles of Dover Castle ranging in price from £25 to £155. The nearest hotels are Blakes Of Dover (0.3m) with rooms from £40, Churchill Hotel (0.5m) with rooms from £60, St Albans Bed and Breakfast (0.7m) with rooms from £35. Visit our Dover Hotels page for full details, guest reviews and online booking of accommodation in Dover.

Attractions near Dover Castle include Dover Museum in Dover, South Foreland Lighthouse in Dover, Wingham Bird Park in Canterbury, Howletts Wild Animal Park in Canterbury.

Other Castles that may be of interest are: Lullingstone Castle in Dartford, Carisbrooke Castle in Newport, Cainsbrough Castle in Doncaster, Carisbrooke Castle in Newport, Alnwick Castle in Alnwick, Stirling Castle in Stirling.