Dover Castle
Dover Castle
4.5
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksCastles
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The most iconic of all English fortresses commanding the gateway to the realm for nine centuries. Climb the Great Tower, meet the characters and immerse yourself in vivid medieval interiors. Then delve deep within Dover's White Cliffs to witness the drama in the Secret Wartime Tunnels. Roam through centuries of history at Dover Castle, from the Romans to the 20th century, in an action-packed day out.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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  • A L
    Norwich, United Kingdom48 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must when in Dover
    Just loved this place. Steeped in history you will spend nearly all day here. The tunnels and hospital are a must. My only complaint would be the freshness of the scones, very dry. The guides are very helpful,informative and reassuring when it comes to what to expect when you enter the tunnels. Something for everyone.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 March 2023
  • Beverly S
    Kingston, Canada6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must-see! Interesting history!
    Buy tickets in advance to avoid the line, but buy tickets! We had a very enjoyable experience. Definitely bring your walking shoes and be prepared to walk up some hills. Fascinating history. Well done capturing all the multiple eras of historical events that took place here. Cool to see France as well!
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 April 2023
  • alisdair t
    Workington, United Kingdom6,329 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A great full day out.
    Dover Castle is a great day out for all the family. We spent most of the day here. The Great Castle Tower, War tunnels, regiment museum, WW 1 Command post, The Saxon church, all worth spending time at. There is a lot of walking involved, but also transport for those less able to walk far. Nice cafes on site, although one was virtually taken over by a large group from a school.
    Visited April 2023
    Written 2 May 2023
  • jbeanMelbourneFl
    72 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Dover Castle must see
    If you only have a short time in Dover a visit to the castle is well worth visiting. The view alone is worth it. I recommend pre buying your tickets and getting their at opening for us it was 10:00 am. Be prepared for some walking. Those with mobility issues can still be able to view most of castle. They do have a mobile transfer but it wasn’t available the day we were their. The WW2 hidden tunnels are very interesting. There is a spiral staircase that will lead you to the top of castle, it is not for the faint of heart.
    Visited April 2023
    Written 7 May 2023
  • Amelia A
    Bristol, United Kingdom39 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fascinating and a great day out
    We visited on a day with wild weather and it was still a great day out. Free for English Heritage members. We enjoyed the castle and the tunnels. Potential for lovely views when weather permits. A lot of the site may not be accessible due to steep steps and hills, and I would recommend planning ahead if you have additional needs.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 May 2023
  • Ronnie
    Hampshire, United Kingdom17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Day well spent
    We visited Dover Castle yesterday (13/5) from Hampshire. Fortunately we are English Heritage members as I noticed the admission price is fairly expensive. It was our first visit here and one we really enjoyed. The castle grounds are extensive and there is a lot of walking involved, steep hills, stairs and uneven surfaces - so wear a good pair of walking/hiking shoes/boots. We explored for a good four hours and actually didn’t manage to squeeze everything in that we wanted to see - so I would allow for the day there. The war time tunnels were really amazing and the experience was pretty moving/powerful. The castle is very well preserved with lots to explore. It was a beautiful day yesterday so the views were absolutely incredible. Compared to other English Heritage sites, there wasn’t many information boards to explain the history of each section we visited - having said that, there were staff members dotted around on every corner and on hand to share information and answer questions (Cliff in particular was fantastic) Over all an incredible day out and definitely worth ticking off the list!
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 14 May 2023
  • Paul S
    445 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Castle and Views from it were amazing
    We did the underground hospital tour. Explored the castle with its decorated rooms and great views from the top. Luckily we had great clear weather. The English Heritage staff were helpful and full of information.
    Visited May 2023
    Written 12 June 2023
  • William S
    Mission Viejo, California13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Dover Castle was amazing!
    You've got to go to Dover Castle! It was our very first activity that we did when we arrived in England, and we were very glad we went there. Give it at least 3 hours, minimum; there's a lot to see, and you can have a relaxing lunch at one of the cafes on site. Definitely do the Secret Wartime Tunnels tour. Walk the castle grounds. Tour the castle, all the way to the roof, and go see the chapel, as well. The views of the coast line are amazing from various places around the castle grounds.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 June 2023
  • Dave C
    Illinois1,544 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Go to the Front Entrance and spent hours
    The castle and grounds date back over 800 years and one could easily spend 5 hours here. As such, get there early. Our challenge is that we took the train to Dover and got off at the train station. Our app said it was a 1 mile walk. Well... that would include twisty roads, with a steep incline - so fortunately we found a bus. The bus takes you close to the rear entrance. The front entrance has a visitor center, instructions, and from reading the other reviews, access to guided tours. The rear entrance? We got brief instructions and a map. Having said that, we saw the history of England as relative to the castle, a war museum, quite a few grounds including a trebuchet! In the castle itself with royal bedroom, play area, dining, storage, kitchen, you climb stairs to fantastic views of the countryside from the top. We also saw the medieval tunnels, a medieval church, an ancient Roman lighthouse - and the last thing we saw was the actual visitor center. Took us 4+ hours for all that. Very well maintained and restored.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 July 2023
  • Brian
    Sterling, Virginia374 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Day Trip Exploring Dover
    With any EHS you need to make this trip an entire day trip. This site has so much to offer. From the Tunnel tours, to the medieval Castke and it’s surroundings. Learning about history is a given. I would highly recommend this for any WWII buffs that want to learn more and walk the actual tunnels that were integral in Operationn Dynamo.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 6 July 2023
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles6,400 reviews
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Tim B
London, UK172 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Family
Went to the bunker escape room challenge. We all found it great fun. Moderate difficulty and well run. Takes around one hour.
Written 16 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ChrisB17_02
Sevenoaks, UK68 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
Good historical venue, but as seems to be typical of the UK these days, the price is ridiculous. £52 for a couple to see the castle is pathetically overpriced.
Written 4 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Isobel
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Family
I cannot say enough about our wonderful day at Dover Castle. The staff were wonderful, particularly the tour guides for the WWII tunnels and the Underground Hospital. The tours and the guides were wonderful. The castle was one of the most compelling and beautiful sites we’ve visited in the UK. Truly worth the trip!
Written 4 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hantsdee
Basingstoke, UK153 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
Omg 6 stars!!

A fabulous day out exploring the main facets of dover castle!

The facilities are well located, the staff smiling and talkative, and so much to do!

Highlight was the tunnel tour - the storytelling via film on the walls was inspired. The battlements views and walk, the great tower and the Roman lighthouse just fab!

Coffee and cold drinks well priced and signposted really well too - spent 5 hrs walking 4 miles here today and loved it!
Written 3 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AprilForbes
Salisbury, UK828 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
Wow, what an amazing castle and the views from the roof are wonderful.

There are a lot of stone stairs, if you have any mobility issues, this is not for you.

The rooms are amazing and so much history.

The grounds are very large and there is a lot to do, you can spend hours here.

I would definitely recommend a visit.
Written 24 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

The up&down traveller
Milan, Italy59 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
So expensive!!! 26£ each person to see a Castle! Are we kidding? Feeling like they are stealing money out of my pocket! Don’t go! It doesn’t worth the expense in a foggy day.. always foggy there except if you are kissed by God
Written 18 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bob G
Gloucester, UK129 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Solo
Returned to Dover Castle after many years and main aim was to vist the underground tunnels from which Operation Dynamo was planned. Very underwhelming experience, guide led through the tunnels stopping every so often to be shown a field about WW 2 and why Dunkirk happened. It was boil the end when we actually saw some recreated areas. To few and no activity, compared to this to the use by the FAA at Yeovilton use of hologram figures so very much a let down. The Castle itself was first class and a good day out .
Written 13 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Emily F
Ashford, UK28 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
Great place with lots to do. Always many areas where you can eat. Staff are always kind and there is always new things going on.
Written 9 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

williamskdn
Pontypridd, UK994 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
This is a great place to visit so much to see. The place is so interesting and covering lots of years of history. The staff were friendly and welcoming. Lots of walking due to vast area.

The tours available were really interesting and very informative about the wartime britain and how it has been used in modern time.

The medieval castle was really interesting and the rooms really great to see set out. The staff were very helpful and informative on the room.

The medieval tunnels were closed, which was a shame. But will return to come here as still did not see everything. This is such a nice place to visit and so interesting.
Written 21 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

themaddog74
England299 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
I took our children to visit Dover Castle. They found being in a real medieval castle to be fascinating and enjoyed being able to wander freely in the castle, as well as touch some models of things that were used and eaten in the time the castle was used.

I was quite disappointed with the Wartime tunnels as some of the magic from when I used to take school groups here in the 2000's had been lost.

I was disappointed to have to wait and move through the tunnels with a crowd - I would have preferred us to have been able to move through at our own pace. I was looking forward to my children experiencing the smells in the kitchen and operating theatre that were put out when I used to take school groups here, but these had been lost. It was disappointing that you're not allowed to take photos in the tunnels.

The exit to the tunnels offers a good view of the English Channel.
Written 7 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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DOVER CASTLE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Dover Castle