Leeds Hever Dover Rochester Walmer Deal Tonbridge Castles Kent UK

Rochester's Norman Castle

Not by chance has Rochester Castle's keep, dating from c.1127, survived. Rochester Castle was an outstanding defensive castle - during an attack by King John in 1215 only starvation forced the Rebel Barons to concede. Deliberately built as a mighty defensive stronghold on the banks of the River Medway, Rochester Castle was contructed by William of Corbeil, Archbishop of Canterbury, out of Kentish ragstone.

Find Rochester Castle and Gardens on the banks of the Medway on Esplanade, south of the Bridge and Guildhall Museum. Rochester Castle, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1SW. Tel. 01634 402276. See also Upnor Castle on the High Street, built later under orders from Elizabeth I to protect warships positioned on the Medway and at Chatham Dockyard.

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Canterbury Castle

Canterbury Castle and its history gets a somewhat lower profile than Canterbury Cathedral. Situated near Canterbury East Station to the south of the city centre, the castle is well worth a visit as it represents an important site in Kent's Norman history trail. The stone keep castle remains you see today date from the early 11th century, and replaced a previous motte and bailey castle situated on the Dane John Mount nearby. This motte and bailey original was one of three castles - the other two were at Rochester and Dover - built most probably shortly after the Battle of Hastings. All three of these Kent castles were strategiclaly placed along the route William the Conqueror would have taken in 1066 from Dover upto London,

The stone keep of the Canterbury Castle you see today heralds from Henry I's reign in the early 12th century. This building had a chequered history, becoming later a County Gaol and finally in the 19th century it fell into the hands of a gas company who used it for gas storage. During this period the building suffered unfortunately, and the top floor collapsed. Much survives however in the ruins including much of the walls, features such as fireplaces and evidence of reuse of Roman stone. For a full history of Canterbury Castle check the Canterbury Trust's weblink right.

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Dover Castle & the Secret Wartime Tunnels

One of Kent's most popular attractions, Dover Castle and inclusive wartime tunnels tour is one of the county's most striking castles. As the closest English point to France, not surprising then that Henry VIII had Dover Castle considerably reinforced, alongside Deal and Walmer Castle further north, as defence against potential Catholic Europe from which he'd isolated Britain by his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

Dover Castle's history stretches much further back however. Prior to William the Conqueror reinforcing defences on the site of Dover Castle in 1066 there was an Anglo Saxon fort here. Both Henry II and Henry VIII added their own fortified additions. An exhibit within Dover Castle, which includes a film and sound technology, explores the 1216 siege which went on here when King John's men were held up in the castle by rebel barons in cohort with their French ally Prince Louis. This exhibit, alongside a tour of the extensive network of wartime tunnels in the chalk cliffs, many of which date back to the Napoleonic Wars, make Dover Castle a superb family attraction. There's lots going on for kids including the Land Train which takes you on a tour of the site, plus ample picnic areas are within the grounds and there are two eateries - The Keep Cafe and Tunnel Tearoom.

The relevance of Dover Castle's history pushes right into the 20th century. It was here in 1940 that Vice Admiral Ramsey oversaw the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk otherwise known as Operation Dynamo (so named after private talks apparently that Ramsey had with Churchill in the Dynamo Room within the tunnels, which was noisy so their conversations could not be overheard). Seven hundred personnel, both men and women, were based down in the tunnels during World War II. Escorted by excellent guides, learn more about the long 12 hour shifts undertaken by personnel down here - deprived of natural light. As well as touring the tunnels, the tour takes in the command room from where Churchill viewed the Battle of Britain and the hospital. Dover was one of the most bombed locations in Britain during the Second World War. Above ground within the castle site are the remains of a Roman lighthouse, evidence of the importance of this elevated position for centuries, and adjacent sits a restored Saxon church. Within the 12th century Keep there's a superb exhibit on Henry VIII's visit here to oversee personally reinforcements.

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Tonbridge Castle Tours

Considerable investment and effort has gone into the restoration of 13th century Tonbridge Castle in recent times to good effect. The gatehouse is one of Britain's fines, and you can tour it thoroughly inside and out thanks to recent workt. The fact that the Medway runs into Tonbridge is part of the reason a castle was built here and Tonbridge Castle began life as a simple motte and bailey structure. The Castle is Norman, and after William defeated Harold in the Battle of Hastings, land around Tonbridge was given to Richard Fitzgilbert to protect the crossing over the Medway.

For the history of Tonbridge Castle and detailed timeline checkout the castle's webguide right for details. Activities and events run particularly in the summer season. Surrounding the castle is 14 acres of stunning grounds, with ample space for picnics. Tonbridge Castle is a popular spot for weddings!

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Leeds Castle Kent

If you had to pick the most striking of Kent's Castles, it would have to be Leeds. Situated just off Junction 8 of the M20 between Maidstone and Ashford, Leeds Castle is one of Kent's most popular historic attractions. Its origins date from 1119 when Robert de Crevecoeur, lord to William the Conqueror decided to build a castle on this ideal spot. Through the centuries Leeds has primarily served as Royal residence and was visited frequently by Henry VIII.

Leeds Castle was extensively renovated after 1920 when the bankrupt Wykeham-Martins were bought out by an American Heiress who later became Lady Baillie. Heiress Olive spent a huge sum on lavishly renovating the interior and adding a swimming pool. There's 900 years worth of history prior to Olive's entrance. Numerous Medieval Queens lived here, hence Leeds Castle's nickname, Lady's Castle. Different historical periods are apparent in the mix of architecture from Medieval Gatehouse which remains much as it was in the 13th century to Norman foundations, Tudor towers, parts of the 19th century country house and 20th century glamour features added by Olive including cinema, tennis courts and so on.

The mix of features gives this island Kent Castle a real edge. Add to this the 3000 Leeds Castle Estate (500 acres of which is stunning parkland surrounding the property), crammed with gardens, lakes and ponds, a duckery and aviery, a maze and grotto, kids playgrounds, a golf course and golf shop, cafes, picnic areas, a dog collar museum and a vineyard. A veritable entertainment complex with something for all the family. They host music shows and entertainment events here too. Check the Leeds Castle webguide for details.

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Hever Castle & Gardens Home of Anne Boleyn

Hever Castle to the north west of Tunbridge Wells holds a particular fascination as the Kent Castle home of Anne Boleyn. Interest has been reignighted again with the release of Hollywood film 'The Other Boleyn Girl' staring Scarlett Johansson as Mary Boleyn and Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn. The film is derived from the best selling novel of the same name by award winning historical novelist Phillipa Gregory.

Not only was Hever Castle the childhood home of Anne Boleyn during the 1500s, it was later owned by Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII's fourth wife. The oldest parts of the building include the gatehouse which dates from 1270. Anne Boleyn spent her childhood here from 1505, marrying Henry VIII in 1533.

Hever's celebrated castle gardens came later in the 20th century under the ownership of William Waldorf Astor. Astor bought the much delapidated Hever in 1903 and invested considerable money in the project, adding the Tudor Village, lake and garden. The gardens were laid between 1904 to 1908 on what was then marshland! The Italian Garden is a particular highlight, but there are a host of surprises everywhere including the Tudor Garden, Rhododendron Walk and the Anne Boleyn Walk with a display of trees planted over 100 years ago. Hever alongside Sissinghurst is one of Kent's best gardens. The gardens are open daily from 1 March until 30 November, 11am to 6pm. Boating on Hever's lake is popular in the Summer and various events run through high season particularly, such as annual jousts!

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Deal Castle & Walmer Castle & Gardens

Henry VIII's two Castles, Deal Castle and Walmer Castle, built specifically to defend and service the important anchorage site at Deal are impressive Kent castles. In his capacity as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports the Duke of Wellington spent 23 years at Walmer Castle and you can view many of his personal items and rooms inside Walmer. A superb way of visiting both castles is via the connecting cycle path running along the beachfront.

Both castles are administered by English Heritage (see webguide right). Built quickly between 1539 and 1542, Deal is a Tudor artillery castle with a distinctive series of flat low lying round turrets - built that way to deflect incoming cannon balls. It was Deal Castle that served as major defense for the Downs waters. Inside you can tour the battlements, passages and vast basement plus on-site 'The Story of Deal Castle' exhibition. Deal Castle is open from April to September, 10am to 6pm daily except Saturday when it closes at 5pm.

Built in a similar style to Deal Castle, Walmer also has the distinctive flat turrets. However, Walmer Castle saw extensive development after its original build. It was the main residence for Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports from 1708, with Wellington in the role making his mark on Walmer. Items like Wellington's armchair are still here on show at Walmer as are a pair of his famous Wellington Boots! Other famous Lord Wardens to have stayed here include William Pitt. Another feature, courtesy of Lady Hester Stanhope, making Walmer slightly different from Deal, is the spectacular gardens including themed wildlife gardens, a kitchen garden, croquet lawn and a woodland walk. A tearoom is also on-site. For more details on both Deal and Walmer Castles and opening times check the English Heritage weblink right. The Lord Warden is still sometimes in residence at Walmer, usualy during July for a few days. Walmer is closed whilst the warden is in residence.

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