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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Entrance hall. Sitting room with electric 'coal effect' fire . Modern well equipped kitchen with dining area. Double bedroom. Twin bedded room. Bathroom/WC (shower over … more >> Sleeps 4
A charming bijou fisherman's cottage dating back to 1790, set in historical conservation area of Deal, a short walk from the town centre and minutes … more >> Sleeps 2
Commanding a stunning cliff top position, the St Margaretﾒs Bay Hotel is situated the St Margaretﾒs Bay Holiday Park and is just a short distance from the port of Dover. The hotelﾒs location is ideal for guests seeking comfortable accommodation before travelling to France via the Eurotunnel, or for holiday … more >>
Holiday Inn Express Dartford Bridge is located in Kent with marvellous coast and countryside on the doorstep waiting to be discovered, whilst being adjacent to junction 1a of the London Orbital. This fully air-conditioned and recently refurbished hotel has been designed for the price conscious traveller with 126 contemporary designed … more >>
