Castles in Kent
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 southeast 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, CT1 2PR
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Dane John Mound is a conical hill 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.
Castle Row, Watling Street, Canterbury, Kent, England, CT1 1YW
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Severe concentric semi-circular towers rise up like a flattened stone wedding cake at Deal Castle, 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, Deal boasts 119 gun positions.
Marine Road, Deal, Kent, England, CT14 7BA
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Dover Castle was begun in 1066 but is largely a product of Henry II's expansion in 1170. In the 13th century, King John ordered the building of underground tunnels connected to sally ports 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.
Castle Hill, Dover, Kent, England, CT16 1HU
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Heritage Highlight: Underground tunnels begun by King John, later used in WWII
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Eynsford Castle is a Norman castle of the 'enclosure' type, built roughly 1085-87 with encircling curtain walls. Most early Norman castles followed a motte and bailey plan of a wooden palisade atop a raised mound, surrounded by an enclosed bailey, or courtyard.
High Street, Eynsford, Kent, England, DA4 0AA
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Heritage Highlight: An unusually unaltered Norman enclosure castle
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A 13th century moated castle, the 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.
Edenbridge, Kent, England, TN8 7NG
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Heritage Highlight: Home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII
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One of the finest medieval castles in Britain, and one of the most historicaly nteresting. Leeds Castle dates to the 9th century when a Saxon manor was established here. That manor was replaced by a stone fortress in the 12th century. Over the years Leeds has been owned by no less that 6 queens of England. The castle stands on a series of small islands projecting out into a peaceful lake. The castle grounds are a mix of formal gardens and more modern visitors attractions with a maze, grotto, and adventure playground for younger visitors.
Maidstone, Kent, England, ME17 1PL
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One of the finest Norman keeps in England, Rochester Castle stands near the Cathedral, overlooking the River Medway. The castle was built on the site of an earlier Roman fort, and the keep uses building materials from the old Roman city walls.
The Keep, Rochester, Medway, Kent, England, ME1 1SW
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Heritage Highlight: The largest Norman keep in England
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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
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The ruins of a 12th-century Norman castle. The best surviving part of the castle is the stone-built keep, of a 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, ME17 3LW
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Heritage Highlight: Ruined castle keep in a superb location looking out towards the Weald
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