English Heritage has announced the opening of a new visitor experience at Dover Castle: Dover Castle Under Siege. Located at the north end of the castle, this new area provides an in-depth exploration of the 1216-1217 siege that played a crucial role in preventing the English throne from falling into French hands. It also examines life for soldiers during the heightened fears of a French invasion in the 1800s.
The Dover Castle Under Siege experience features interactive exhibitions and displays set both above and below ground within the castle’s preserved medieval tunnels. The exhibition includes immersive film, light, and sound elements that aim to place visitors in the midst of historical battles. Additionally, hands-on activities such as laser-activated crossbow shooting are available, alongside a Georgian barrack room that showcases period-specific furniture, beds, and equipment.
Visitors can also explore the network of underground tunnels that supported the castle’s defensive structures. For the first time, English Heritage is opening the Spur to the public, offering a unique perspective of the castle from the viewpoint of the attacking French and baronial forces. The new Dover Castle Under Siege area is included in the general admission charge and adds a significant dimension to a visit, which can now span an entire day.
Other attractions for group visits at Dover Castle include the Secret Wartime Tunnels, where guests can explore rooms linked to the Dunkirk Evacuation, experience the Dunkirk Experience through projections and real film footage, and visit an underground hospital complete with wards and an operating theatre.
Visitors can also explore King Henry II’s Castle Keep, which features re-furnished rooms, a medieval kitchen, and offers panoramic views across the English Channel from the rooftop. The site includes the WWI Fire Command Post and WWII Port War Signal Station, both significant military sites, as well as the county’s oldest surviving lighthouse and an Anglo-Saxon church. On-site facilities include a restaurant and two cafés, and free coach parking is available for visitors.
Group visits and guided tours should be pre-booked by email. English Heritage offers a 15% discount (10% at Stonehenge) to groups of 11 or more at all its historic sites, and provides a free place for a driver and leader per group.
Click here for further details on group visits to Dover Castle and other English Heritage sites.
