Dover Castle has over 2000 Years of History, from an Iron Age fort, Roman lighthouse and Saxon church, to the Castle (and the Great Tower) that exists today, which was built by Henry II.

Henry II (5 March 1133 – 6 July 1189), ruled as King of England (1154–1189), Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. He was the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the first of the House of Plantagenet to rule England, and was the first to use the title "King of England" (as opposed to "King of the English"). He is also known as Henry Curtmantle or Curtmantel (French: Henri Court-manteau) and Henry Fitz-Empress.

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One of the largest castles in Britain, Dover Castle is strategically located at the shortest crossing point to continental Europe (between Dover and Calais). Its origins lie in the Iron Age, and a Roman Lighthouse and Anglo-Saxon church can still be seen within the grounds. William of Normandy strengthened existing Anglo-Saxon fortifications here in 1066, but it was Henry II who set the blueprint for today's castle when he had the fortifications rebuilt in the 1180's, adding the massive keep and a series of concentric defences. Over the centuries, the defences were continually enlarged and improved, with the castle retaining a military role into the mid twentieth century. An underground hospital and the command centre used for the Dunkirk evacuation are a legacy from the Second World War.

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The English Channel and Dover Ferry Port can be seen in the distance

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The Hoverspeed Seacat leaving Dover Western Dock for Calais. This is a piece of history. Hoverspeed stopped running in 2006.

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