Dover Castle

Dover Castle

Dover Castle is located in the seaside town of Dover in Kent, England, southeast of London. Historically, due to its vital defensive role, it has been called the “Key to England” or the “Gate of England,” and is the largest castle in England.

The castle stands atop the coastal hill of Upton, built in 1160. Perched high above the sea with a commanding view, its location is extremely strategic. Constructed from massive stone, the castle features two thick outer walls, each lined with numerous bastions and historic gun emplacements. The fortress complex consists of outer earthworks, ditches, curtain walls, towers, and the royal keep. Between the 12th and 13th centuries, this ancient stronghold was maintained and used by one of England’s most powerful monarchs—King Henry II and his descendants. It remained continuously garrisoned until 1958, and among England’s many castles, only Windsor Castle and the Tower of London can compare to it in terms of military significance.

Beneath the castle lie three tunnels stretching several kilometers in length. One was built alongside the castle, while the other two were constructed during World War II as a secret command center and hospital for the British Army, only opened to the public in 1996. During WWII, the British carved out a multi-level network of underground tunnels beneath the castle, housing wartime facilities such as telephone exchanges, command centers, hospitals, wards, and barracks. The difficulty of the engineering and the intensity of the warfare can hardly be overstated. Today, the castle and its secret underground tunnels have become a major tourist attraction.

Dover Castle

Must-visit reason: England’s largest castle

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Britain[Britain]

Province/state where the attraction is located: Kent County [Kent County]