UK's Water Companies

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Dover Castle commands the Strait of Dover, the shortest sea crossing between England and continental Europe, a position of strategic importance throughout history. 

Castle Hill was shaped into massive defences capped by medieval walls and towers and later, from the mid 18th century, by the earthworks of a garrisoned infantry and artillery fortress. Beneath the surface, cut into the chalk of the North Downs, are networks of tunnels to enable the garrison to move, plan and live in safety.  

King Henry II began to build the present castle in the 1180s, and over the next 800 years its buildings, defences and tunnels were adapted to meet the changing demands of warfare, right into the era of nuclear weapons. 

Access: The Drop Redoubt fort is in a steep, cliff-side location and is surrounded by an uneven grass surface. Due to access difficulties, the fort is not suitable for wheelchair access or visitors with limited mobility. There are steps into the fort and steps throughout it. 

Parking: There is free council-operated parking next to several entrances to the site. There is limited parking on Drop Redoubt Road next to the entrance to the Drop Redoubt, a car park on on North Military Road next to the Detached Bastion, and a car park on South Military Road, next to St Martin's Battery. 

Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome but please be aware that the paths around the site take you through land grazed by cattle. 

KEY FACTS ABOUT WALMER CASTLE

• Walmer Castle was built in 1539–40 by Henry VIII in response to threats of invasion from Europe.
• The castle was part of a 2.7-mile coastal barrier that included Deal and Sandown castles.
• During the English Civil Wars, Walmer came under siege from Parliamentarian forces.
• Since the 18th century, Walmer has been the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.   
• By the mid 18th century, the castle had become a well-equipped seaside retreat as well as a fort.
• Notable Lords Warden include William Pitt the Younger, the Duke of Wellington, W H Smith and the Queen Mother.
• The Duke of Wellington died at Walmer Castle in 1852.

KEY FACTS ABOUT DEAL CASTLE

• The castle was built in 1539–40, and was the centre of a network of three Tudor artillery forts that included Walmer to the south and Sandown to the north.
• On 27 December 1539, Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII’s new wife-to-be, landed at Deal and rested at the unfinished castle before continuing on her journey to meet the king.
• In 1639, the Battle of the Downs – a naval battle between the Spanish and the Dutch – took place in the English Channel in sight of Deal Castle. Several Spanish vessels were sunk and 2,000 sailors came ashore at Deal and Dover.
• The castle came under siege during the English Civil War in 1648, when soldiers loyal to Charles I fought Parliamentarians in several bloody encounters.
• Deal Castle has a captain. In the past, the captain would maintain the castle and assist in the military administration in the area. In the 18th century, a house for the captain was built at the castle. 
• During the Second World War, the castle was brought back into service to guard the coast from German forces in the Channel.
• In Tudor times, Deal’s captains were local men, but through the centuries, captains have been appointed from the armed forces, politics and diplomatic service. The position exists to this day, but is now ceremonial.  

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