Over the past few years we have been many times to visit  Dover Castle.  This above any other historical attraction is our favourite one.  It was here many years ago during the nineteen sixties that I took my first ever photograph, it was of my mother and father next to the battlements at the top of the Norman Keep.

The castle and surrounding area have a long history stretching back to the iron age.  This is probably due to its strategic position over looking the straits of Dover towards France.  On a clear day France can be viewed quite easily from here.  

As well as the Norman Keep which was built by Henry the second on the spot of earlier defences, there is also a Roman Pharos (lighthouse) and Saxon Church which can be visited within the Castle grounds.

The castle as had many extra defences added over the centuries and must be one of the most fortified places that you could ever come across any where.

During Medieval times tunnels were excavated to enable safer movement of troops to one of the outer defences.  Further tunnels were excavated during Napoleonic times into the white cliffs themselves, and during the Second World War these were extensively enlarged and a underground hospital, telecommunications centre and control room were added.  The retreat from Dunkirk was controlled from within this labyrinth of tunnels, been commanded by Vice Admiral Ramsey. 

After the Second World War a third level of tunnels was excavated which was going to be used as a regional headquarters for the south of England in the event of a nuclear war breaking out, during the dark years of the cold war with the USSR.

The Napoleonic and Second World War tunnels are open for the public to view but not the third level of tunnels as yet.

The property is in the hands of English Heritage and to be honest you will need far more than a day to take in all the attractions.

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Above Dover Castle has viewed from the Saxon Church and Roman Pharos.

The Saxon Church and Roman Pharos.

One of the many artillery pieced that can be viewed within the castle grounds.

Click on the pictures below to get a better view.

Above is a statue of Vice Admiral Ramsey.  Below is one of the entrances into the Second World War secret tunnels.