DAYSOUT
A KENTISH CASTLE FOR EVERY OCCASION CONT .
CASTLES FOR HISTORY BUFFS
Rochester Castle and Canterbury Castle
Two unique attributes to Kent that have been drawing visitors to the county for centuries , while giving the places they call home a brilliant historical edge are Canterbury and Rochester castles . Both of these are located within Roman town walls and both have great stone towers or keeps . Although there is not much left to see of Canterbury Castle , apart from towering stone walls and its original structure and layout , tourists in Canterbury can walk along and admire the great City Wall that once protected the castle and this town . A huge flint structure , what is left of the wall is still architecturally magnificent and a real ode to Canterbury ’ s medieval past .
The next stop on the way to London from Europe after Dover and Canterbury Castle would have been Rochester Castle . First built in 1127 , Rochester Castle comes with hundreds of years of intriguing stories of knights , kings , battles , sieges and tragic romances . Strategically placed astride the London Road , guarding an important crossing of the River Medway , this imposing fortress has a complex history of destruction and rebuilding of which visitors can learn while taking in its imposing presence . Today , it stands as a proud reminder of the history of Rochester , along with the cathedral which has the esteemed status of being England ’ s second oldest cathedral .
Upnor Castle
Tucked away along the banks of the River Medway you will find a true hidden treasure : Upnor village and castle . A quintessential beauty of an English riverside village , Upnor is beautifully picturesque with a cobbled main street that slopes all the way down to Upnor Beach and the castle itself . Lined with traditional pubs and pretty houses , some of which display Kentish weatherboarding and are Grade II listed , this walkway to the castle will have everyone from history buffs to Instagrammers marvelling at their surroundings before they even reach the castle itself . A rare example of an Elizabethan artillery fort , Upnor Castle is beautifully preserved for guests to explore and study . Originally built to protect Chatham Dockyard ( which it did so unsuccessfully , allowing the Dutch to sail up the river in 1667 ), it dates back to 1559 and provides glorious , far-reaching views out across the river .
Tonbridge Castle
Step from bustling Tonbridge high street into almost 1,000 years of enthralling history . This authentic medieval castle still solidly stands guard over its treasured market town . Explore the gatehouse , great hall , winding stairs and basement or climb the motte for brilliant views across the town . Complete your visit with a picnic on warmer days on the enclosed bailey lawn .
Deal Castle
Built on the orders of King Henry VIII , Deal Castle is one of the finest Tudor artillery castles in England and a must-see on your visit to the quirky seaside town of Deal . Explore the castle from the tunnels below to the battlements above and visit the exhibition to find out how Henry ' s turbulent reign shaped England ' s defences . With displays , children ' s activities and fascinating artefacts , the whole family can enjoy the rich and varied history of the castle alongside stories of the people who lived and worked here . Roam the underground tunnels , or ' Rounds ', with a wooden musket to defend the castle or enjoy the spectacular seaside view from the walls .
DEAL CASTLE
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