First time visiting Dover Castle? Here is a practical guide to help you plan. It covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility, and how to get there.
Brief history of Dover Castle
Standing above the White Cliffs, Dover Castle has been known as the “Key to England” since Roman times. It expanded under the Normans and medieval kings into one of the country’s largest fortresses. In WWII it became a command centre during the Dunkirk evacuation.
Today visitors can explore its medieval keep, wartime tunnels, Roman lighthouse and immersive new Under Siege exhibition at the northern end of the castle.
How to get to Dover Castle
By car: Use the postcode CT16 1HU for SatNav. Follow signs via the A2/M2 or A20. Alternative routes help avoid port-related delays. On-site parking is free and opens when the castle opens.
By train: Dover Priory is the nearest station, about a mile away and uphill. You can walk or catch the 81 bus. A 20 percent discount is available for visitors arriving by train, bus or bike by showing your ticket or helmet.
By bus or bike: Stagecoach bus routes 15, 15X, 80, 80A, 81 and 93 serve the area. The castle lies on National Cycle Network and long-distance footpaths, making it accessible for cyclists and walkers.
Alternatively, you can take a Dover Castle day tour from London that also includes the White Cliffs and Canterbury Cathedral.
Dover Castle opening hours
Opening hours (typical)
- Year-round: generally opens from 10:00 and closes around 17:00. Last admission is usually 16:00.
- Summer (approx April to September): often extends closing to around 18:00, with last admission by 17:00.
Hours vary by season and special events. Always check the castle’s official schedule before travelling.
Why book a visit to Dover Castle from London?
- ⏱ Full-day excursion—around 10 hours 30 minutes, giving you time to explore thoroughly
- 🚌 Comfortable return transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, with central London pickup
- ⛪ Stop in Canterbury to explore the medieval town and its world-famous cathedral
- 🛡 Explore Dover Castle, a fortress spanning centuries of English history, including WWII tunnels
- 🌊 Admire the dramatic White Cliffs of Dover, one of Britain’s most celebrated natural landmarks
- 👥 Small-group style tour (around 25 travellers) for a more relaxed and personal experience
Dover Castle ticket prices
Ticket prices (on the day)
- Adult: £27.20
- Child (5–17 years): £14.50
- Concession (student or over-65s): £20
- Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £59.90
Booking online in advance offers a discount of around 15 percent. For example, adult tickets cost £22.70 instead of £27.20.
However, the castle is managed by English Heritage and English Heritage members get in free.
Is it worth paying for English Heritage membership?
Entry prices for English Heritage sites, including Dover Castle, Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle, can seem extremely expensive. This is clearly a deliberate ploy to push visitors towards taking out annual English Heritage membership.
Membership gives free access to more than 400 sites across the country, and costs £82. That is, unless you get a special deal – there was a 25%-off Black Friday deal in November 2025, for example.
Whether that £82 is worth it depends on how many sites are near you (there are lots in the south of the country, not so many near me in Yorkshire). And, critically, whether you’re going to visit them with children.
Each member can take up to six children with them free of charge. Given the steep one-time entry fees, an adult member with two children is likely to recoup the cost of their membership by visiting just two or three sites within the year.
For an individual without children, I’d say English Heritage membership is worth it only if you’re planning to blitz a few sites in one year. For an individual with children, membership is a smart investment that will likely pay itself back within one school holiday. To me, it’s a no-brainer.
The real question is whether it’s worth renewing English Heritage membership after a year. That’s debatable, as you’re unlikely to go to many of these sites twice. I eventually renewed after I was offered 20% off the price. I’ll probably recoup the membership price visiting two sites in summer next year, even if I’ve ticked off most of the best ones near me.
If you buy membership through this link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Parking at Dover Castle
Free parking is available for up to 200 cars within the grounds. On peak days, overflow parking is provided nearby with a 5-minute walk from Broadlees (CT16 1HW). The onsite car park opens when the castle opens.
Accessible parking is available near the Great Tower pay booth. On event days, visitors will be directed to alternative locations within the site. Palace Green provides designated accessible parking, and taxis may drop you off there. It lies about 300 metres beyond the upper visitor car park.
Accessibility and visitor facilities at Dover Castle
The site is a historic structure, so full accessibility is limited but improving. Key facilities include:
- Wheelchair or mobility scooter hire available by prior arrangement via email.
- The Spur viewpoint is step free and wheelchair accessible.
- The Secret Tunnels feature a lift, though medieval areas and the Great Tower feature steep, narrow stairs.
- Accessible toilets are located at multiple points on site.
- Food and drink options include the NAAFI restaurant, Great Tower café, a tea room in the tunnels complex and seasonal stalls.
- Picnic areas, a children’s playground and scenic battlements are available.
- Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds, and assistance dogs are permitted throughout.
Nearby attractions to combine in a day
- White Cliffs of Dover: Scenic cliff-top walks from the National Trust visitor centre.
- Dover Museum: Exhibits covering Roman, medieval and Bronze Age history.
- Dover seafront: Piers, promenades and cafes overlooking the Channel.
Other attractions in Kent worth considering include Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, Hever Castle, Chartwell and the Chatham Historic Dockyard.
FAQ: Practical questions
- Are the paths wheelchair-friendly? Some areas are step free such as the Spur, though tunnels and medieval sections involve stairs.
- Is there accessible parking? Yes, spaces are available for Blue Badge holders near the Great Tower and at Palace Green.
- Are refreshments available? Yes, including the NAAFI restaurant, cafés, tunnel tea room and seasonal stalls.
- Can I bring my own food? Yes, picnic areas are available in the grounds.
- When is it quietest? Weekday mornings and late afternoons are generally calmer. Weekends and holidays are busier.
- Do I need to book online? No, tickets are available on the day, though online booking saves money and speeds entry.
- Are dogs allowed? Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds, and assistance dogs can enter all areas.
