Hever castle in Kent
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Castles in Kent: A tale of power, prosperity and protection

GUEST POST – I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for castles. The older, the better. There is something widely romantic about them. No matter what shape they are in or what architectural style they come in. If you’re looking for some inspiration, there are many beautiful castles in Kent worth checking out. What makes them unique? Check out this featured post to find out.

jousters at Leeds castle
Credit: Leeds Castle

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The tales of the castles in Kent

Imposing, diminutive, ornate, plain, perched on a cliff, embedded within rolling fields, walled or moated. Kent’s countryside is scattered with castles to suit all tastes. But why should there be so many in this picturesque corner of England? For the same reason, people still build large houses today. To celebrate wealth and to protect the owners from the great unwashed. Oh, and to keep an eye on their neighbours (in this case, France). Here are some of my favourites castles in Kent that I’ve stumbled across on my travels.

Castles in Kent: Hever Castle

Nestling among neatly snipped hedgerows and twisting country lanes stands Hever Castle. An idyllic little castle that seems as if it’s been drawn straight from a child’s imagination. Moat? Tick. Drawbridge? Tick. Indented battlements? Tick. Arrow slits? Tick. Ivy spilling down the walls making a perfect escape ladder for a royalty member trying to avoid being snatched by a dragon? Tick. There is even a maze housing more twists and turns than the castle’s fascinating history.

The original gatehouse and walled bailey were constructed in 1270.  However, the events started to get interesting in the 15th and 16th centuries. That was the time when the Boleyn family moved in. Like the many other castles in Kent, this one comes with royal connections.

looking up at hever castle one of many castles in kent
Credit: Hever Castle & Gardens

The second of Henry VIII’s wives, Anne Boleyn, spent her formative years at Hever Castle. Anne reigned for 1,000 days and gave birth to the mighty Queen Elizabeth I. She was also the very reason behind the creation of the Church of England.

Henry VIII wasn’t squeamish about sharing property between wives. So, following Anne’s unceremonious beheading at the Tower of London, Hever Castle was gifted to Anne of Cleves. She was Henry’s fourth wife, whom he later divorced. Then, from 1557 onward, several other families took ownership before the castle fell into disrepair.

The later years

It took a wealthy American publishing entrepreneur, William Waldorf Astor, to breathe new life into Hever. He channelled his earnings and time into refurbishing and extending the crumbling edifice. With an incredible eye for detail, William used as much of the same materials and tools as Tudor and Elizabethan artisans as he could. As a result, he created this extraordinary building and spectacular gardens you can visit today.    

As you would expect, Hever Castle houses some fascinating historical points of interest. For example, the library bookcases have been copied from those once owned by prolific diarist Samuel Pepys. You can gaze upon two prayer books that belonged to Anne and bear her distinctive signature. You also can admire the extraordinary collection of Tudor portraits in the Queen’s Chamber. For more history, check out the secret chapel. It’s hidden behind panelling used by the Catholic owner of the castle once Elizabeth I had ascended the throne. It wasn’t easy nor practical to be a Catholic during Elizabeth’s reign, making the secret chapel a great historical addition.  

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I spent many a school outing here. I think it’s a testament to how lovely the castle and grounds are that I wanted to go back in my free time to enjoy the sights all over again. Note that the paths and corridors become busy during weekends and school holidays but remain blissfully quiet during the week.

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Castles in Kent: Leeds Castle

Possibly the only other castle in Kent that could steal Hever’s aesthetic crown is the Leeds Castle. It is the loveliest castle in the world, and It is also 200 years older than Hever Castle. For over 900 years, it’s been fabulously perched on an island in the middle of a lake. This positioning lends the building a stunning fairy tale appearance.

aerial shot of Leeds Castle one of castles in kent
Credit: Leeds Castle

Its historical narrative is surprisingly close to Hever’s as well. Leeds Castle started life as a stone stronghold to ward off Norman intrusions in 1119. However, by the 13th century, King Edward I had spied its charms and converted it into one of his favourite residences. The castle remained in royal hands from 1278 until 1437. Then, in Tudor times, Henry VIII perhaps somewhat predictably bestowed Leeds Castle upon his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.

When castles in Kent get a second start

Once Henry’s reign was over, the Leeds Castle passed into private hands with mixed results. Eventually, the castle lost its magnificence due to a lack of care and funding. It didn’t shine again until the socialite Lady Baillie took it over in the 1920s. She lavished attention on the Leeds Castle, expanding and reorganizing various floors and decorating the rooms. As a result, Leeds Castle became one of the foremost country houses in England. It also became a backdrop to some of the most memorable parties in history, with a host of glittering names swishing in and out of the gates. 

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When Lady Baillie died in the early 1970s, she had created the Leeds Castle Foundation charity to ensure the castle’s preservation for future generations. As a result, this place is a tiny gem, although the castle itself always seems so much smaller than I think it is! You can enjoy jousting, open-air cinema events, theatre and music on the magnificent grounds after strolling around the sumptuous interiors. 

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Castles in Kent: Dover Castle

Let’s be clear, Dover Castle is not a fantasy castle of gothic towers, conical spires and delicate architectural detailing. This is a solid, block-like edifice that squats on the white chalk cliffs of Dover. This brute of a castle is England’s most extensive and was used to spy on vessels approaching the English Channel. The shifting warfare patterns reflect in the castle’s transformation over the centuries. They are visible in the walls and towers constructed to defeat troops on the ground and underground tunnels beneath it.

The vision of Henry II

King Henry II kicked off the construction of Dover Castle in the 1180s. There are whispers that an Iron Age hill fort may have once inhabited the site. Indeed, the Romans had already spotted the location’s potential in 43 AD and built a lighthouse on the cliff to guide ships to shore.

Dover castle on a hill one of many castles in kent
Credit: English Heritage, Dover Castle

In a very modern twist, Henry II decided that he wanted a defensive fort and a building that doubled as a great place to entertain visitors. After all, it was a place for many wealthy pilgrims stopping by for a rest and a cup of tea, having visited nearby Canterbury Cathedral.

The defensive measures worked with Dover Castle, withstanding two long sieges in the 13th century. The site declined in importance following the Middle Ages. However, it still drew a star-studded cast of guests, including Henry VIII (as you would expect with his penchant for posh castles) and his daughter Elizabeth I.

Once a fort, always a fort

With the threat of yet another French invasion in the 1740s, a network of tunnels was dug out of the soft chalk cliffs. They became home to enormous numbers of troops that lived in underground barracks. During World War II, these tunnels gained another use as they housed the command centre controlling naval operations in the English Channel. This included the mass evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk. An addition of a hospital during that time expanded the original tunnels. During the Cold War, the government converted the tunnels into a secret location tasked with organizing life following a possible nuclear war.  

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It’s hard to imagine the extraordinary events that the walls of Dover Castle have witnessed through the ages. You can spend a packed day visiting the various sites and learning about history from the information centre and guided tours. I would especially recommend visiting families where the kids can run riot while subtly being educated in history’s dark arts.

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Castles in Kent: Deal Castle

Resembling a series of interlocking cogs, the intriguing architecture of Deal Castle had the purpose of deterring foreign ships. It wasn’t hard to do with the circular walls allowing 360 degrees of firepower dispensed from 140 guns.

aerial view of Deal castle
Deal Castle

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the history of Kent’s castles, there is also a Tudor connection here. Henry VIII decided to build Deal Castle in 1539-40, with three artillery forts. Henry’s fourth wife – Anne of Cleves (the same one who enjoyed Hever Castle so much) – stayed here before her short and swift marriage to the notoriously fickle king.    

Siege or be invaded

The structure was meant to protect against foreign invaders. It is somewhat ironic that the castle came under siege during the English Civil War. And, just like Dover Castle, Deal Castle enjoyed something of a renaissance during World War II.  It was used to spot German forces swarming across the English Channel during the war. 

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Like the other fortresses, some nooks and crannies physically display evidence of its fascinating past. Right at the top of Deal Castle (unfortunately off-limits to visitors), the castle roof is covered by old graffiti. It’s been etched into the soft lead since at least 1724. There’s a sketch of a man with a bulbous nose and upturned collar and three lopsided houses complete with flags fluttering from their rooftops. My personal favourite is the scrawl of someone calling themselves “the charming Miss Teensy.” It just sounds so much more poetic than “I woz ‘ere.”

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About Eleanor
eleanor

My name is Eleanor, and I’ve squeezed travels to over 150 countries around my (non-travel) 9-to-5 job. I’ve journeyed alone, with friends and, more recently, with my expanding family. I love blogging about my experiences, and you can follow my adventures on Twitter.

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