The tunnels under the Dover Castle were built around the 12th Century and came into use during the long siege with France. But that is not their only claim to fame. They go down in history as the tunnels used during the Second World War. During this time, they served as shelter from air-raids with some sections being converted into an underground hospital. The entry ticket to the Dover Castle includes a walking tour around these tunnels, don’t miss out on it. The sound effects in the background transport you to World War II. The loud explosion of bombs and people running askelter give you a good idea of how it must have been down there in the mid 1940s. There are around 5 kms of tunnel burrowing deep (sometimes as deep as 150 feet) into these chalky cliffs and some parts of these are still undiscovered.
Once outside the tunnels, you can take a long walk along the battlements and take a look at the outer bailey, the inner bailey, the many towers, and the weaponry including its changes over time—from the early cannons to the anti-aircraft guns in later wars.
Henry III carried out major work on the entire castle. Apart from adding a bastion, he also extended the outer bailey or castle wall right till the cliff and built around 20 towers. Overall this castle became even more formidable! Standing high on the battlements, looking into the distance across the English Channel, one can understand the strategic importance this castle has for Britain’s sovereignty.
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