Dover Castle’s original entrance, multiple lost towers and long-gone defensive walls are just some of the remarkable features revealed for the first time by a state-of-the-art digital model of Dover Castle in Kent, on the south coast of England.

New view of Dover Castle from the Spur (picture by Jim Holde © English Heritage)

Painstakingly created over 800 hours during research by English Heritage, the charity which manages the castle, the model ‘restores’ the castle as it was likely to have looked in 1216 – before it was besieged and badly damaged in a ‘forgotten’ civil war which decided the fate of the kingdom and changed the course of English history.

Researched by a team of English Heritage experts, including historians, curators and one of the country’s leading historical 3D artists, the 1216 model was central to the creation of Dover Castle Under Siege – a major new experience which opens up the castle as never before.

Inside the new exhibition © English Heritage

Visitors can now explore Dover Castle’s medieval and Georgian underground tunnels and casemates with an immersive exhibition, including views of the model, making it possible to stand close to the spot where invaders broke through the original entrance. New access through the tunnels and out onto the great earthwork defence known as the Spur provides a magnificent panoramic view of the castle to visitors for the first time.

Between 1215-1217, a civil war raged in England. French soldiers, led by Prince Louis ‘the Lion’ (the son of King Philip II of France), fought alongside English rebel barons against King John.

In 1216, Dover Castle, which remained loyal to John, was a formidable fortress, having been massively extended and strengthened over the previous 40 years. Its layered defences offered only one practical route for an attack, at the northern tip where the main gate of the castle stood.

Inside the medieval tunnels © English Heritage

French and rebel forces broke through into the outer bailey and an epic, bloody, struggle for control of the castle ensued. Hundreds of knights and soldiers in chain mail swung swords, axes and maces, and dug tunnels to undermine the gate and gain entry, but the castle’s defenders, led by the great warrior Hubert de Burgh, would not be conquered.

The new digital model shows that this was where the entrance originally stood, defended by King John’s twin-towered gatehouse, from which a wooden bridge crossed the deep outer ditch onto a barbican, a fortified strongpoint defending the approach to the gate. Now, for the first time in almost 1,000 years since that fateful conflict began, there is a vision of Dover Castle in a brief moment of calm before the siege.

Inside the medieval tunnels © English Heritage

Paul Pattison, English Heritage’s Senior Properties Historian, said: “When you see the model, Dover Castle almost rises from the ashes of the siege in 1216; the level of detail is astonishing. It has taken us months of research, deliberation and difficult decision-making to be able to produce this model. From historical records, plans and maps, and archaeological, topographic and laser surveys – we’ve left no stone unturned in making this model as accurate as possible.

“After the siege, the castle was massively and expensively re-fortified, attempting to ensure it could never be breached again. Many of those changes we can still see today, from the imposing new entrances at Constable’s Gate and Fitzwilliam Gate, to a network of underground tunnels. As Dover Castle Under Siege opens, I can’t wait for the public to experience walking underground and out onto the Spur for the first time, and to imagine those who fought in that same spot centuries ago.”

Janet Redler, Managing Director of Janet Redler Travel, added: “Dover Castle is one of England’s most iconic castles which stands guard over the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the English Channel, and has been called the ‘Key to England’ because of its strategic significance. This remarkable new exhibition, along with access to the medieval tunnels and the Spur, will add to the visitor experience at the castle and we’re looking forward to returning with our clients again soon.”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor-made tour of England, including a visit to Dover Castle, perhaps as part of a dedicated heritage tour, please do contact our friendly team today.