Five Reasons to Visit Dover Castle
Monday, July 26th, 2010Dover Castle is one of Englands oldest castles and most popular tourist landmarks. Tourists can engage in a wide range of activities, some of which incorporate tours of the long-standing architecture, history training, and witnessing paranormal activity. Tourists can visit the gift shop, Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment Museum, and castle diner while touring the facility.
Activities to do at Dover Castle.
As one of the more well-liked tourist attractions in Kent, the Dover Castle greets thousands of visitors a day. Dover Castle is the oldest fort in England, and guests can find various things to see and do while visiting. The attraction is family friendly, and adults and children can get involved in all of the sights and pursuits that the Dover Castle has to provide.
Historical Significance.
Dover Castle was founded in the 12th century and looks over the legendary white cliffs of Dover. It played out a significant defensive role throughout history and has often been referred to as the Key to England. The castle was, originally, made of clay. The castle started to take on an identifiable shape, during the reign of Henry II. Wartime tunnels were also made, and those were used as an underground hospital, air-raid shelter, and military command centre through World War II. The castle and surrounding land are now owned by English Heritage.
Architecture.
The Dover Castle has many distinctive architectural assets that served to fortify it and protect against attack. The Keep is the inner-most shielding structure, and it is surrounded by the Inner Bailey walls and outer walls. Concrete, antitank obstacles are also there as a response to a 1940 threat of invasion. Towers, just like the Norfolk and St. Johns Tower are also found, as is the Constables Gate. Tourists are able to see all of these structures.
Paranormal Activity and Superstitions.
Over the years there have been innumerable reports of ghost sightings at Dover Castle, some of which contain the ghosts of Lady in Red, Anne Bolyn, Anne of Cleves, and soldiers in the World War II channels. One of the more popular tales is about a headless drummer boy who is thought to have haunted the castle for over 200 years. Numerous visitors to the castle have documented discovering a variety of different spirits and have reported they observed unusual sounds, which includes the creaking of a door opening and closing that had long been taken out from that location.
Food.
Visitors can make a day out of going to Dover Castle by going to the castle restaurant, The Naafi. Visitors can get lunch there or bring a picnic to eat outside on the grounds, weather permitting. There is also the Tunnel Caf©, which is found close to the Secret Wartime Tunnels gift shop. Visitors can have a sandwich, cup of tea, or pick up a souvenir, while waiting for their tour to begin.
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