The dramatic castles of Kent

The coastal county of Kent is home to some of the most beautiful and important castles in England. Rich in history and architecture and bounded by intrigue, beauty and passion, they have also seen their fair share of war, plague and riots over the centuries. Perfectly situated to ward off enemies from across the Channel, many of the castles dominating the Kent landscape are still as spectacular today as they were hundreds of years ago.

Some remain in their original glory and are the perfect place to while away an enchanting afternoon imagining what it was like to be a part of castle life. Others are just ruins, brought down by enemy fire during centuries of war and conflict, now only a sad testament to all that they have gone through over the years.

We have put together a fabulous guide that will give you a glimpse into some of our finest castles as well as various historical ruins that you may wish to visit while you are here. There is a map at the bottom of the guide which gives you an indication as to their location - it may take a while to visit them all, but we think that it's worth it!

Take a look at our list and discover the fantastic history of these dramatic castles in Kent.

Hever Castle

This romantic 13th-century castle may not have the majestic size of its siblings but in terms of beauty and history, it really does hold its own. With startling russet-coloured ivy that wraps itself enticingly around the castle, it isn’t difficult to imagine it as the place where romance blossomed between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.

The castle is home to 700 years of fascinating British history and it is home to the lock that Henry VIII used to take away with him when visiting various houses around the country. Every room that he stayed in was closed with this lock for his safety and you can see it for yourself at Hever Castle.

Can I have a little history before I go?

Hever’s origins were as a medieval defensive castle, built in 1270 with gatehouse and walled bailey. It later became home to the Boleyn family from 1462 to 1539 who added the Tudor part within the walls. Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I spent her early youth there, though it later became the property of the king’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves after Henry VIII bestowed it upon her as part of the settlement at the end of their marriage. The castle went on to pass through various families and eventually fell into disrepair.

There have been three stages of renovation to the castle over the years, the last of which was overseen by the American millionaire William Waldorf Astor who bought it and invested time and care into restoring the castle, also adding the Italian Garden to the grounds to house his statues. The estate was sold in 1983 to a private company who now use the castle as a conference centre, though it is still open to the public.

Should I take a tour or do it alone?

You can take a self-guided tour at Hever – there are lots of information boards to help you (and trails for children) but you can also book a multimedia guide or a private guided tour for the full experience. You have three floors to discover with various antique pieces of furniture as well as a large collection of Tudor paintings.

The Inner Hall is fascinating and would have originally been the Great Kitchen in Tudor times. You will see Henry VIII’s bedchamber, which is where he would have stayed when courting Anne Boleyn, as well as a room that was thought to be her bedroom. A highlight of the tour must be Anne Boleyn’s prayer books, which can be seen in a beautifully illuminated display with her handwriting and signature. The tour ends at the oldest part of the castle - the Medieval Council Chamber in the Gatehouse, which dates back to the 13th century. The gatehouse is the only original part that remains of the castle and the portcullis is the oldest working original in the country.

What else can I do there?

There are two mazes in the grounds - the yew maze, which is over 100 years old, and the more recent water maze whose aim is to get you to the folly at the centre without getting wet! There is also an adventure playground for children and a lovely boating lake as well as the award-winning beautiful gardens, all set in 125 acres of glorious grounds - you can still see the Italian gardens put in by Astor.

There are exhibitions during the winter as well as wonderful winter walks and fun Christmas events at the end of the year. Summertime welcomes jousting tournaments and archery displays so there is always something to do besides the castle tour. The castle is also home to a gorgeous collection of miniature model houses and there are shops and restaurants for when you need to rest your weary legs.

Is my dog allowed?

Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds.

What is the entry price?

Adults from £15.90, concessions from £13.50 and children from £8.95.

Leeds Castle

Famously referred to as the ‘castle of queens, queen of castles’, the exquisite Leeds Castle could be straight out of a fairy tale. One of the most iconic castles in the country, you can often see its golden hues peeking out from magazines across the globe, tempting visitors to come and see it in all its glory. And no wonder! Rising out from a spectacular moat and surrounded by 500 acres of glorious gardens and parkland, it is one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain.

Packed with art-deco furnishings and beautiful paintings, it is truly a delight to walk around the elegant rooms. It is also home to the brilliant Dog Collar Museum which has a fascinating display of over 130 rare and unusual collars spanning five centuries.

Can I have a little history before I go?

Leeds was once a Norman stronghold and has been the private property of six English queens. Used as a palace by Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, it has worn various other hats over the centuries, including that of a Jacobean country house and a Georgian mansion.

The first part of the castle, made of stone, was built by a Norman baron in 1119 on an island in the River Len; over a hundred and fifty years later, it became the property of the first wife of Edward I, Queen Eleanor of Castile. Over the next few hundred years, the castle remained a royal residence and eventually became a private home.

Should I take a tour or do it alone?

Leeds is primarily a free flow castle, so you can look around at your leisure. You can book an audio tour – a great choice is the one from the servant’s perspective which will explain their life to you as you walk around. There are staff on hand in all the rooms and informative notice boards, so you won’t be lost for information.

Travel through 900 years of fascinating history as you visit the wonderful rooms, the Dog Collar Museum, the Battle of the Skies exhibition and the brilliant Gatehouse exhibition, set in the ancient Gatehouse of the castle. From early Norman beginnings to the Tudor splendour of Henry VIII, it is recreated perfectly by illustration and film as well as original artefacts.

What else can I do there?

Not only is the castle an amazing day out by itself, but there is a great selection of outdoor activities, including a maze with over 2000 yew trees. The maze is unique as even though it is a square, when you look at it from the air, you see a circular pattern. Because of this unusual shape, it is difficult to solve but if you do and you get the chance to return to civilisation, you must return from the middle of the maze through the underworld grotto. Just be careful of all the mythical beasts that peer out at you from all corners on your way back!

There are falconry displays and punting on the moat as well as various adventure playgrounds for little ones and older children. Adults simply must visit the beautiful gardens which include the Culpeper Gardens, the Wood Garden and The Lady Baillie Mediterranean Garden Terrace, the latter of which is set on the site of Lady Baillie’s original aviary.

Read our guide about other beautiful Kent and Sussex gardens that you can visit while you are here.

You will need to re-energise after all of this so head to one of the various on-site eateries – choose from the Castle View Restaurant, the Maze Café and Grill, or Costa Coffee for something lighter. Once you have had your caffeine fix, head to the lovely shops on the estate to buy souvenirs from your visit – the sparkling wines are much recommended, and the beautiful scarves and jewellery are perfect for a birthday or Christmas present.

Is my dog allowed?

Sadly not, due to the abundance of wildfowl on the estate.

What is the entry price?

Prices are £24.90, concessions £21.90 and children £16.90. Once you buy a ticket, you can visit as many times as you like during the year.

Dover Castle

Perched majestically at the top of the renowned White Cliffs of Dover, this important castle is famously known as the ‘key to England’ due to its strategic position at the entry point to the UK. The largest castle in the country, it has protected its inhabitants for over 2000 years against invasion.

The castle and grounds are very much like the typical fortress that you would see on the front of a child’s puzzle – the perfect square shape with huge towers surrounded by fortress walls and hilly mounds. With exhibitions, secret wartime tunnels and an underground hospital to explore, this is truly one of the best castles to visit in the land!

Can I have a little history before I go?

Thought to be situated on the site of an Iron Age hillfort, the first buildings were established when the Romans built a lighthouse after invading in AD 43. Just after the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William the Conqueror decided to strengthen its defences by building what was the first real structure, an earthwork and timber castle. Later in the 12th century, Henry II turned its great tower into a palace where he would welcome many important and distinguished visitors from overseas. The first half of the 13th century saw huge walls built around the tower, which were put to the test during various sieges.

Over the next few centuries, more additions were made to the castle, particularly during the 18th century when England was faced with the threat of invasion from Napoleonic France. Huge underground tunnels were built to house the massive number of troops that defended the castle – they were later used during both World Wars and made their most important contribution as a control centre during the evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk. Extended to be used as a hospital and HQ to guard the Straights of Dover, they later again came into use during the Cold War when they were used by the government as a secret location where plans were made in the event of a nuclear attack.

Should I take a tour or do it alone?

Both! Take a self-guided tour around the intriguing medieval palace that is the Great Tower, but don’t worry, you won’t be completely on your own. At the entrance, you will be welcomed by interpreters dressed in costume who will bring the past alive for you. They are only there on certain days though so do check before your visit. If you don’t get the chance to see them, there are also life-like hologram characters that will give you a similar experience.

To really get stuck in, take the partly guided ‘Operation Dynamo’ tour in the wartime tunnels which lasts for just under an hour. The famous underground hospital tour which is fully guided is a bit shorter lasting 20 minutes but, to be honest, you won’t notice the time - there is so much to learn and see at this castle that you’ll never want to leave. Make sure that you also visit the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment Museum, which houses a collection tracing its history. The highlight is on the first Friday of every month (or by special arrangement) where you can watch changing exhibitions of treasures, showcasing amazing artefacts from World War II and the Cold War.

What else can I do there?

The castle estate has great play areas for children, an adventure playground and over 80 acres of grounds to explore when you have finished in the castle. There are various places to eat tucked away within the castle walls including the Great Tower cafe, built in 1901, which serves hot snacks, sandwiches, homemade soup and cakes. Or try the NAAFI restaurant which is in the 1868 Regimental Institute. This is a brilliant place to have a cream tea while looking down at the wartime tunnels and across the Channel to France. If that isn’t an authentic enough experience for you, head to the Wartime Tunnels Cafe where you will find yourself having a spot of lunch in a room built into the original Napoleonic tunnel complex.

There is a shop here as well which has a WWII theme which really completes the experience. There is also an ice-cream parlour on site during the summer but our favourite idea by far is to take a picnic to enjoy on the White Cliffs. If you have already done your tour, sitting here quietly and taking in your surroundings can only be a poignant reminder of sacrifices made years before.

Is my dog allowed?

Dogs are allowed on leads in the grounds but not in the buildings.

What is the entry price?

Adults £19.40, concessions £17.50 and children £11.60. Prices may be lower out of season. Price includes Secret Wartime Tunnels tour.

Other castles you may wish to visit in Kent

Rochester Castle – with one of the tallest keeps in England, this imposing fortress is one of the country’s best-preserved castles.

Tonbridge Castle – one of our country’s best examples of a motte and bailey castle with a wonderful 13th-century gatehouse.

Walmer Castle – built by Henry VIII as a defence against French invasion, this fascinating castle has been home to both the Duke of Wellington and the Queen Mother.

Deal Castle – also built by Henry VIII, this is a fine example of another beautifully preserved Tudor artillery castle.

Upnor Castle – an Elizabethan artillery fort, this riverside castle was built to protect the Queen’s fleet at Chatham Docks.

Map of the dramatic castles of Kent

Plan your tour of Kent castles from the list on the map below.

Take a tour of these simply spectacular castles from the comfort of our Kent holiday cottages.

*Prices are correct at the time of publishing; however, they are subject to change. Some castles have seasonal restrictions - please check each castle's website for details.

**lyrics are from Greensleeves and The White Cliffs of Dover.