Dover in Kent, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Dover’s early history
Dover’s early history
Long before the castle
People occupied this hill over 2,000 years ago and as much as 1,200 years before Dover Castle was first built. the huge earthworks of the castle outer bailey probably began as the ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort, constructed long before the Roman conquest in AD 43. At the top of the path to the right of this panel you can see two remarkable ancient buildings that are much older than the castle.
The pharos is one of two lighthouses flanking Dover town. From around AD 120 they guided ships into the harbour, where there was a fortified base for the galleys of a Roman fleet.
Next to the pharos is the Anglo-Saxon church of St Mary-in-Castro. It was built around the year 1000, inside a fortress from which defence against Viking raids was organized. The pharos was later adapted as a bell tower for the church.
The bank and stone wall around the buildings were built in the 13th century, replacing defences erected at the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.
What to see
1 Roman pharos This is one of the most unusual surviving structures from Roman Britain
2 Church of St Mary-in-Castro This is the finest late-Saxon building still standing in Kent.
( photo caption )
The north west view of the chapel and tower in Dover Castle. The ruined church and Roman pharos engraved by the Buck brothers in the early 18th century.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.
Location. 51° 7.722′ N, 1° 19.337′ E. Marker is in Dover, England, in Kent. Marker can be reached from Castle Hill Road close to Canons Gate Road, on the left when traveling south. Located at Dover Castle. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dover, England CT16 1HU, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Medieval Dover (within shouting distance of this marker); Buildings of Dover Castle (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Arthur’s Hall (about 120 meters away); Saluting Platform (about 210 meters away); Dover’s defences (about 210 meters away); Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Ramsay: retreat and return (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Fighting the Enemy in the Sky (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dover.
Also see . . .
1. English Heritage - Dover Castle. (Submitted on January 11, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Dover Castle on Wikipedia. (Submitted on January 11, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 11, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.