They'll be bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover.....

Although I'm not familar with the World War II song, (They'll be bluebirds over) The White Cliffs of Dover,  it seemed an appropriate title for a blog on our day at Dover Castle.  

Last September, when Barb and Marty were in London, we saved a visit to Dover Castle for a sunny day.  Dover is especially beautiful on a clear day when you can see to Calais,  France.  Because of it's location looking over the English Channel, Dover has always been a strategic sight in England.  

By 150 A.D., the Romans had begun to develop Dover as a port and naval base.  This castle and its fortifications protected the English coast for over 2,000 years.  Henry II built the present castle in the 1180's.  It was a palace designed for royal ceremony and to house Henry's travelling court.  Henry could welcome and impress visitors coming from Europe  to England.

Dover Castle is located a mile or so from the train station in Dover.  It's situated on a large hill (long climb!)  and the view into the village of Dover and then to the English Channel is spectacular. 

Constable tower and gateway

Entrance to the Great Tower

In the middle of the castle is the Great Tower.   It was during the reign of Henry II that the castle began to take shape and today when you visit, you can imagine what it might have been like at King Henry II's medieval royal court.  Lavish interiors, furnishings and over 500 objects have been made to recreate a medieval palace.  We even had some kings and things to make our visit authentic!

                                 

This Roman Pharos (lighthouse) is believed to be one of only three surviving Roman lighthouses in the world today.

Roman Lighthouse (Pharos)

Beside the lighthouse is a small stone church, that dates from 800 to 1000AD. It is still used as a place of worship and in the summer of 1940 services continued despite almost constant disruption from air-raids and anti-aircraft fire.

One of the most interesting parts of the compound were the secret wartime tunnels. From the Napoleonic Wars through the Cold War, these tunnels have served as a strategic military role in providing privacy and protection from enemy fire.  This is also where the evacuation of 338,000 stranded British troops from Dunkirk was planned and executed.  Over nine days privately owned pleasure ships, fishing boats, cabin cruisers  sailed from England to help in the rescue.

Looking out from the castle to the Port of Dover

We were a little surprised to see sheep grazing in the moat area of the castle.  This is a deliberate effort by the Kent Wildlfie Trust and English Heritage to restore and maintain the biodiversity of chalk grassland (wild plants and animals) through re-introduction of livestock grazing.  Historically, livestock would have grazed the Castle grounds as part of the local economy. Sheep grazing promotes grassland species and inhibits tree and scrub re-growth.

sheep grazing in a former moat

view of the Port of Dover

This is the view from the top of the hill near the war tunnels.  Cruise ship harbor in the distance. 

Although our trip did not include a walk over the famous White Cliffs, it was a beautiful day out in the countryside of Kent.  History, spectacular views, history and more history!   A perfect day trip from London.  

Barb, Marty and Tom ready to  head back to London

The White Cliffs

I have loved England, dearly and deeply,

Since that first morning, shining and pure,

The white cliffs of Dover I saw rising steeply

Out of the sea that once made her secure. 

I had no thought then of husband or lover,

I was a traveller, the guest of a week;

Yet when they pointed 'the white cliffs of Dover',

Startled I found there were tears on m cheek.

I have loved England, and still as a stranger,

Here is my home and I still am alone.

Now in her hour of trial and danger,

Only the English are really her own.

~Alice Duer Miller (1940)