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Castles in Kent

Canterbury Castle   When William the Conqueror overcame King Harold and his Saxons at the Battle of Hastings, one of his first acts was to establish three powerful castles in the southwest of his new realm, at Canterbury, Dover, and Rochester. His new castle at Canterbury is what is now called Dane John, a corruption of the French word for donjon, or keep. Castle Street, Canterbury, Kent, England Attraction Type: Castle Location: On Castle Steet, just off the ring road. There is a paid parking lot immediately behind the castle. The site is usually open during daylight hours. Free admission and there are several useful interpretive panels on site. - Photos of Canterbury Castle OS TR145574 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Dane John Mound   A high mound that was the site of one of the first Norman motte and bailey castles erected by William the Conqueror. Archaeological excavation has revealed that the mound was a Roman burial site on the line of the old Roman city walls. Canterbury, Kent, England Attraction Type: Castle Location: Open at any time. The most enjoyable way to reach the castle mound is to take a walk along the town walls. - Photos of Dane John Mound OS TR147574 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Deal Castle    Severe concentric semi-circular towers rise up like a flattened stone wedding cake at Deal, one of Henry VIII's string of coastal castles built against the threat of a French invasion. Built to take advantage of the new super-weapon, cannons, with fully 119 gun positions. Victoria Road, Deal, Kent, England, CT14 7BA Attraction Type: Castle Location: SE of town centre Website: Deal Castle Phone: 01304 372 762 English Heritage Location map OS TR377 522 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Dover Castle    Begun in 1066, but largely a product of Henry II's expansion in 1170. In the 13th century King John ordered the building of underground tunnels connected to sallyports in order to surprise attacking troops. These tunnels were later used as a military command centre during WWII (see the extensive reconstructions). Within the castle grounds stand a Roman lighthouse and a Saxon church. Dover, Kent, England, CT16 1HU Attraction Type: Castle Website: Dover Castle Phone: 01304 211 067 English Heritage Location map OS TR325 419 Heritage Highlight: Underground tunnels begun by King John, later used in WWII Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Eynsford Castle    A Norman castle of the 'enclosure' type, built roughly 1085-87 with encircling curtain walls. Most early Norman castles followe a motte and bailey plan of a wooden pallisade atop a raised mound, surrounded by an enclosed bailey, or courtyard. By contrast, Eynsford Castle was a simple enclosing wall around an inner cluster of buildings, reached by a drawbridge across a shallow moat. Eynsford, Kent, England, DA4 0AA Attraction Type: Castle Location: Open year round. English Heritage members free. Website: Eynsford Castle English Heritage Location map OS TQ541656 Heritage Highlight: 3 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Hever Castle    The 13th century moated castle, childhood home of Anne Boleyn. See exhibitions on Henry VIII and Anne, as well as a room devoted to a rather grisly display of medieval instruments of torture. Enjoy extensive gardens and a hedge maze. Hever, Edenbridge, Kent, England, TN8 7NG Attraction Type: Castle Location: 3 m SE Edenbridge off B2026 Website: Hever Castle Email: mail@hevercastle.co.uk Phone: 01732 865 224 Fax: 01732 866 796 Location map Details of Hever Castle OS TQ478 452 Heritage Highlight: Home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Leeds Castle   A former royal palace begun in the 12th century. Leeds Castle has to be one of the most beautifully situated castles in England, projecting into its lake, surrounded by magnificent parkland and gardens. Maidstone, Kent, England, ME17 1PL Attraction Type: Castle Location: 7 miles east of Maidstone, off the A20 Website: Leeds Castle Email: enquiries@leeds-castle.co.uk Phone: 01622 765400 Fax: 01622 735616 Location map Details of Leeds Castle - Photos of Leeds Castle OS TQ837 533 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Rochester Castle    One of the finest Norman keeps in England, Rochester Castle stands near the Cathedral, overlooking the River Medway. The keep is 113 feet high with walls as thick as 12 feet in places. The castle was built upon the site of an earlier Roman fort, and the keep uses building materials from the old Roman city walls. The Lodge, Rochester-upon-Medway, Medway, Kent, England, ME1 1SX Attraction Type: Castle Location: by Rochester Bridge, A2 Website: Rochester Castle Phone: 01634 402 276 English Heritage Location map OS TQ742684 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Scotney Castle    So you say you love gardens AND castles, but you don't have enough time to visit both? Try Scotney, one of the best gardens in England, built around the ruins of a 14th century moated castle. Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, TN3 8JN Attraction Type: Castle Location: 1 m S Lamberhurst, off A21 Website: Scotney Castle Email: scotneycastle@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01892 893 868 Fax: 01892 890 110 National Trust Location map OS TQ688 354 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Sutton Valence Castle   The ruins of a 12th century Norman castle. The best surviving part of the castle is the stone-built keep, of square design, which stands atop a tall mound, offering excellent views over the surrounding countryside. The keep may have been built by William le Gros, count of Aumale, possibly to control the main road running from Maidstone to Rye and Winchelsea on the coast. Rectory Lane, Sutton Valence, Kent, England Attraction Type: Castle Location: In Sutton Valence village, on the A274 about 5 miles south east of Maidstone. The castle is signposted from the village centre, but there is no parking on site and the road is narrow. Park along the High Street and follow a short footpath to the castle si Website: Sutton Valence Castle English Heritage - Photos of Sutton Valence Castle OS TQ653606 Heritage Highlight: Ruined castle keep in a superb location looking out towards the Weald Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Tonbridge Castle    A magnificent motte and bailey gatehouse fronts the castle, which was begun by Richard Fitzgilbert, a relative of William the Conqueror. Fitzgilbert's simple fortification was replaced by a massive stone structure which was added to and remodelled over the centuries. The castles was slighted (made unusuable ) during the English Civil War. but much remains to interest visitors, including the imposing gatehouse. Castle Street, Tonbridge, Kent, England, TN9 1BG Attraction Type: Castle Location: off High Street (A227) Website: Tonbridge Castle Email: tonbridge.castle@tmbc.gov.uk Phone: 01732 770 929 Fax: 01732 770 449 Location map OS TQ590466 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Upnor Castle    This lovely Elizabethan castle stands beside the River Medway. It was built in 1559 as a gunfort to defend the Medway and the Royal Dockyards at Chatham. In that effort the castle proved ineffective, allowing the Dutch to sail unimpeded to Chatham and destroy much of the fleet. The story of the Dutch raid is told in exhibits and artefacts on display inside the castle. Upnor, Kent, England Attraction Type: Castle Location: on unclassified road off A228 Website: Upnor Castle Phone: 01634 718 742 English Heritage OS TQ758 706 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Walmer Castle and Gardens    Coastal artillery fort built by Henry VIII. Over time Walmer evolved from its original purpose to become a comfortable country residence. It was inhabited by the Duke of Wellington in his role as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, and it was here that the victor of Waterloo died in 1852. There are displays on Wellington and the role of the Lord Warden. Walmer, Deal, Kent, England, CT14 7LJ Attraction Type: Castle Location: S Walmer on A258 Website: Walmer Castle and Gardens Phone: 01304 364 288 English Heritage Location map OS TR376501 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Westenhanger Castle and Barns    Partly-derelict castle with 12th century roots. The ruined Rosamund's Tower in the north wall is reputed by be a trysting place for King Henry II and his mistress, Rosamund de Clifford (Fair Rosamund). Westenhanger was later expanded by Henry VIII. Stone Street, Westenhanger, Hythe, Kent, England, CT21 4HX Attraction Type: Castle Location: Next to Folkestone Racecourse; limited opening, see Westenhanger website for details. Website: Westenhanger Castle and Barns Email: terrywhitling@tiscali.co.uk Phone: 07984 132 962 Fax: 01303 261 389 Location map OS TR126 372 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts