Dover Castle
Dover Castle
4.5
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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- wwhughesjrSpartanburg, South Carolina305 contributionsGreat visit for the historyWe spent nearly 5 hours at Dover Castle and enjoyed the entire time. The staff greeted us warmly, had lots of information, and answered any questions we had with ease. We started with the tour of the WWII tunnels; fascinating to see the equipment and layout of the place, and our guide was very knowledgeable and interesting. We then walked uphill to a quick lunch and then further uphill to the upper castle and apartments of the royals. I especially liked the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment and Queen's Regiment Museum which was filled with military history displays. This was well-worth the time, energy, and money spent. On a clear day, you get a great view of the harbor and town below. Highly recommend a visit.Visited May 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 17, 2023
- Clive DIpswich, United Kingdom120 contributionsAmazing day outWe were told it could take a day to look around the castle, and they weren't wrong. What an amazing day out. The staff were very helpful and knowledgeable. The Naffi coffee shop was lovely and fairly priced. The castle itself is well worth the money as car parking is included. The additional tours offered were brilliant.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 17, 2023
- Mike SWitham, United Kingdom1,918 contributionsWell worth a visitVery expensive - so spend the day seeing all its attractions to get your moniesworth. The views are amazing, so bring a camers. The highlights of the castle are the two tunnels. No photography allowed, but it is a brilliant experience - but you do have to queue up sometimes for over half hour. The inside of the tower is interesting; there are lots of steps to negotiate, and there is not a great deal to see. They also have a small museum there - but I did not have time to visit.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 18, 2023
- Barbara SReading, United Kingdom20 contributionsA full day out for history loversFor anyone with an interest in history, this is a whole day occupation - and even then you may not see it all! If your interest is purely Second World War, there is a good half day with plenty of authentic artifacts and reconstructions, plus the Napoleonic era tunnels resued for WWII. Though there is a good map, the site as a whole is not as self explantory as I had expected, so I wish I'd bought the guide book.Visited October 2023Traveled with familyWritten October 18, 2023
- Carol CUnited Kingdom5 contributionsWonderful experience, so much to seeSo interesting. Second World War tunnels to medieval towers. Take a picnic because there’s enough to see and do for a whole day! Well worth the entrance fee. Avoid cafe at busy. Times though, extremely slowVisited October 2023Traveled with friendsWritten October 26, 2023
- Stephney WLondon, United Kingdom8 contributionsWell worth a visitVery interesting castle with a lot to see and do. I found the hospital tunnel and secret wartime tunnel particularly interesting but unfortunately, it's guided so it feels very rushed with limited information from the guides. Much better if you could do it on your own and read the information provided and linger over things that you find interesting. The chapel and Roman lighthouse are delightful.Visited August 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 8, 2023
- Jen MMontclair, Virginia47 contributionsFantastic Great Tower and views from the top!I loved it! One downside. I only had 2 hours. I needed 4. The Great Tower was amazing. I took so many amazing pictures, even in darker places. I used my cell phone and its options to brighten them up. The grounds were well kept and just beautiful. I learned so much from my walk about. Wish I could have gone in a few more buildings. But? I’m still impressed. The views of Dover and the English Channel were great! I wish I’d had more time.Visited November 2023Traveled soloWritten November 12, 2023
- BargeegirlWest Sussex, United Kingdom692 contributionsHuge area but need the weather.This castle is so huge. The tunnel experience is worth booking and also ensured you do the hospital tour too. The castle itself is dressed really well, and adds value to the rooms. Staff/volunteers are all friendly and helpful. Our only issue was the very low cloud, so much we couldn't see anything. Even the castle was shrouded in cloud. We really appreciated the exhibition in the church, which was very thought provoking. This is a Brilliant place to go for all the family , but involves a lot of walking and a lot of steps.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 19, 2023
- fluffievellutoHenlow, United Kingdom1,015 contributionsNeed to return to see the restThought we'd given ourselves enough time - but this site is huge with so much to see. Looks like we'll be coming back, as didn't managed to visit the hospital tunnels and we even had to rush the castle. What we did see was really interesting, and on a weekday it wasn't busy. Just plan to stay all day - not just an afternoon!Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 29, 2023
- explorermum13Durham, United Kingdom37 contributionsWonderful exhibits!Dover Castle was a treat. There is so much to do. Our favourite was our 10 year old noting the tower was similar to the tower in London. We definitely plan to go back and see the underground attractions.Visited August 2023Traveled with familyWritten December 19, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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John D
Welwyn, UK342 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Visited on a lovely sunny day. Hard to see how they could have fitted in any more cars, but being a big site there seemed plenty of space MOST of the time. Despite the request to wear masks a significant number of visitors chose not to do so - a little uncomfortable in the castle keep.
Although the entry price might seem high this is a full day out.
Early birds, like us, can book a visit to the wartime tunnels but note is not the original visit itinerary due to Covid recommendations. Be sure to try to book for the tunnels as soon as you get to the ticket office.
Although the entry price might seem high this is a full day out.
Early birds, like us, can book a visit to the wartime tunnels but note is not the original visit itinerary due to Covid recommendations. Be sure to try to book for the tunnels as soon as you get to the ticket office.
Written August 3, 2021
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.
Matthew P
Manchester, UK71 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We visited on a very poor weather day and managed to nearly see it all. We were warned the great tower would close if the weather got bad as tiles etc can blow from the roof near into the court yard, totally understandable. Still we just managed to get in and see it all. Along with the tunnels which we left till the queue went down near the end of the day. Our guide (South African accent) apologies didn’t remember your name... she was great and spent time talking to us at the end for a while explaining different things and maybe the future expansion of opening up more. I hope they do. Maybe some private night tours...
Written February 22, 2020
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.
Aaron S
1 contribution
Apr 2022 • Family
Dover Castle has long been on my list of places to visit in England. Yesterday I finally got there and wow, I wasn't disappointed.
I would recommend any babies to be carried in a sling/carrier as there are lots of stairs and no lifts. That aside, it is a great day out for the whole family. Make sure you get here at 10am as there is a lot of ground to cover and 2 of the tours are 20 minutes and an hour.
The staff here where so friendly and very approachable. I am not brilliant with heights and when I spoke to the staff they couldn't help me enough. As I got into the grand gallery the staff on the entrance had already radioed to let them know my worries about walking across the roof to get back down.
One of the staff member who's name has slipped from my memerory (sorry) was brilliant. He made his way up the stairs with me as I attempted to try to get the full experience and my legs went as I saw the view from a window as we ascended. The staff member kept me calm reassured me that it was OK and helped me down a different way, so thank you very much.
There are some brilliant views from the grounds and you can see how busy the port is throughout the day.
I would recommend any babies to be carried in a sling/carrier as there are lots of stairs and no lifts. That aside, it is a great day out for the whole family. Make sure you get here at 10am as there is a lot of ground to cover and 2 of the tours are 20 minutes and an hour.
The staff here where so friendly and very approachable. I am not brilliant with heights and when I spoke to the staff they couldn't help me enough. As I got into the grand gallery the staff on the entrance had already radioed to let them know my worries about walking across the roof to get back down.
One of the staff member who's name has slipped from my memerory (sorry) was brilliant. He made his way up the stairs with me as I attempted to try to get the full experience and my legs went as I saw the view from a window as we ascended. The staff member kept me calm reassured me that it was OK and helped me down a different way, so thank you very much.
There are some brilliant views from the grounds and you can see how busy the port is throughout the day.
Written April 22, 2022
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.
Jack B
Berkhamsted, UK31 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
At historic sites one expects to find three things; information boards about the site and it's rooms, genuine artefacts from different parts of the sites history and a tour guide to help you through the highlights. On all three accounts the castle utterly failed. The rooms are filled with cheap uninteresting, shoddy replicas that take you out out of the historic feel. The information about each building and the rooms is scattered and at times non-existent.
All in all, when one considers the price and the fact we only spend an hour there,
it can only be judged as nothing short of robbery. Very sad.
All in all, when one considers the price and the fact we only spend an hour there,
it can only be judged as nothing short of robbery. Very sad.
Written August 25, 2020
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.
MyIronLung
Whitstable, UK60 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Been to Dover Castle many many times as we are local and have passes, but this was the first time in many years that we ate in the on site cafe (usually bring a picnic but the weather was too awful to sit outside) - I cannot believe the cost of the food! £5.95 for a wrap? £4.95 for a small gluten free roll! It cost £30 for 2 adults and 2 children to have lunch IN A CAFE. And the food wasn’t even particularly outstanding - just sandwiches and a couple of slices of cake. Absolutely barmy. It turned a ‘free’ day out into a very expensive day for us and it has completely turned us off ever returning.
Absolutely love the castle but the cafe was an absolute rip off.
Absolutely love the castle but the cafe was an absolute rip off.
Written August 1, 2021
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.
RobDouglas1
65 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Dover castle was a fantastic day out with English Heritage. The castle history has a wonder variety from the tower, Roman lighthouse to the tunnels. There was something for everyone. We will definitely visit again.
The staff are great and in some cases have an unenviable job. The tunnel tours are every 30 minutes and are first come first served basis and can only be for 30 people at once.
The staff are great and in some cases have an unenviable job. The tunnel tours are every 30 minutes and are first come first served basis and can only be for 30 people at once.
Written January 7, 2020
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.
Kinga K
Acton, UK266 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
I really enjoyed getting here and the train journey was just over an hour. The Castle is big and there’s lots of experiences and activities happening. The guided tours are worth it but make sure you get there first thing in the morning otherwise there’s no chance of getting in and instead of visiting the castle you will end up in a queue. The entry price for the day is a bit expensive and if you don’t get to do the Dunkirk and underground hospital guided tours it’s not really worth it. There are a few re-enactments happening throughout the day with performers dressed in medieval clothing. Definitely visit the tower as the views are amazing from the top. The underground medieval tunnels are worth a look as well and also the church is beautiful. Wonderful experience
Written June 8, 2022
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.
Travellingisthebest
England, UK58 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
We really enjoyed exploring the castle grounds, however it was a shame the tunnels were closed due to Covid which I understand is out of their hands. I also think it’s quite pricey especially when not everything is open. Visited once but wouldn’t rush back
Written July 19, 2020
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.
crakajaxx
Maidstone, UK95 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
Over priced anticlimax.
The tunnel tours are much shorter than in previous years. Considering the tunnels are 3.8 miles long in total, you are down there 10/15 minutes & hardly see any of it compared to my last visit the tour was more involved, we got much more info from the guide.
The castle looks more impressive from the outside. You haven't got a clue where you are going inside, there are no staff giving information, or any information boards. So you walk into a room & haven't got s clue what you are looking at. You just wonder about aimlessly. So not sure what we saw in the castle.
The two cafés on site are very limited with food. So not rely on them for lunch! Pack lunch is a must! If the weather is bad there is no sheltered area to eat your picnic, & I can imagine them not letting you eat it in the cafés. We went to the cafe for hot drinks as we were freezing. They told me that the cafe was closed at 3.20pm! The site closes at 5pm & the cafe closes at 4pm. I told her the rest of my group were already seated in the cafe & she finally relented & let me sit out the rain to drink my drink. If she had told me I couldn't drink my hot drink in the dry out the rain before my purchase I would of changed my mind.
Considering they were open for another 40 minutes I found their unwelcoming presence off putting.
The cleaner was spraying tables near us & others eating. A man was putting chairs on tables & another lady was mopping the floor around us! OK we get the hint!!!!! They need information boards around the site so you know more about what you are looking at & where you are. I think this place could be so much more! For the price I was thoroughly disappointed.
The tunnel tours are much shorter than in previous years. Considering the tunnels are 3.8 miles long in total, you are down there 10/15 minutes & hardly see any of it compared to my last visit the tour was more involved, we got much more info from the guide.
The castle looks more impressive from the outside. You haven't got a clue where you are going inside, there are no staff giving information, or any information boards. So you walk into a room & haven't got s clue what you are looking at. You just wonder about aimlessly. So not sure what we saw in the castle.
The two cafés on site are very limited with food. So not rely on them for lunch! Pack lunch is a must! If the weather is bad there is no sheltered area to eat your picnic, & I can imagine them not letting you eat it in the cafés. We went to the cafe for hot drinks as we were freezing. They told me that the cafe was closed at 3.20pm! The site closes at 5pm & the cafe closes at 4pm. I told her the rest of my group were already seated in the cafe & she finally relented & let me sit out the rain to drink my drink. If she had told me I couldn't drink my hot drink in the dry out the rain before my purchase I would of changed my mind.
Considering they were open for another 40 minutes I found their unwelcoming presence off putting.
The cleaner was spraying tables near us & others eating. A man was putting chairs on tables & another lady was mopping the floor around us! OK we get the hint!!!!! They need information boards around the site so you know more about what you are looking at & where you are. I think this place could be so much more! For the price I was thoroughly disappointed.
Written October 25, 2022
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.
DJ9944
Suffolk, UK26 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
At the moment the medieval tunnels and the hospital tunnels are shut. The WW2 secret tunnels are also closed and only accessible to a limited number of daily tours, which you book on arrival. We arrived at 11:30am and were told there were still tours available, but we were disappointed to find that this information was incorrect and all the tours had been booked up. So with the tunnels closed, there wasn’t a lot to do apart from wander round the battlements and go into the tower.
The good thing is the price (£12.50) reflects the closure of the underground attractions. Coffee and cakes were nice!
So if you are planning on going to Dover Castle, pre-book your tickets for when it opens (10am) and head to the ticket office ASAP and book a tunnels tours.
We came pre-children and the tunnels are great, so will turn with the kids when the tunnels are open again.
The good thing is the price (£12.50) reflects the closure of the underground attractions. Coffee and cakes were nice!
So if you are planning on going to Dover Castle, pre-book your tickets for when it opens (10am) and head to the ticket office ASAP and book a tunnels tours.
We came pre-children and the tunnels are great, so will turn with the kids when the tunnels are open again.
Written August 21, 2021
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.
Best way to get from cruise port to Dover Castle?
Written February 17, 2024
We travelled to Dover Castle by car from River, England, a small community west of Dover, so I don't know about going to the castle from the cruise port. Talking with the cruise line is a good idea; I would imagine they would have information on this, but I've never been on a cruise. I think there is a TI not too far from the cruise port.
Written February 18, 2024
You can purchase tickets at the reception, or go to the English Heritage website
Written August 21, 2023
Is it possible to leave the castle and return on the day e. g to return to your car?
Written September 1, 2021
The car park at Dover Castle is outside the ticket office so once you have left the castle grounds you can go anywhere you want to presumably as long as you return to your car before closing time.
Written September 2, 2021
There are reduced prices for children and senior citizens.
At present most EH attractions are very busy and if you wait and buy on the day you may find that you have to wait for "a spare slot" or not get in at all. For example, Framlingham Castle today (Monday 23 August) had people without prebooked tickets waiting over an hour to get in.
Written August 23, 2021
Martin T
Edenbridge, United Kingdom
We are a party of three all in our 80s and quite slow walkers would we be able to join a guided tour at about 10.45 am on the 15th September to last not more than two hours at the most
Written August 26, 2020
Martin T
Edenbridge, United Kingdom
We are a party of 3 all in our 80s and pretty slow walkers. Are we able to join a guided tour on the 15 September at about 10.45 am or so and lasting not more than two hours?
Thank you
Written August 26, 2020
I think so but for full details contact the English heritage website
Written August 27, 2020
Is the castle open all year round
Written October 5, 2019
Starting in November the castle is closed during the week.
Written November 27, 2019
Hi. Is there guided tours around the castle? Can we walk by ourselves? Thank you.
Written September 13, 2019
Very easy to walk it yourself. Lots of helpful staff if you need anything.
Written September 18, 2019
We took a dog with us, it’s allowed into the ground but not Into any of the castle. We just took it in turns, staying with the dog.
Written January 21, 2020
We are planning a visit to the castle on a thursday in October. is it necessary to buy our tickets ahead or will we be able to just get in at the door/gate without worry of a sell out. Just asking as there is a chance that we may hold off until friday if there is no worries about sell outs
Written August 23, 2019
If you're making a special trip, to be safe book ahead. But it's an enormous site and I can't imagine them ever being full. You can fit a small town in there
Written August 26, 2019
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