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Dover is dominated by its castle guarding the English Channel. Uncover the ancient past at Dover Museum, the Bronze Age Boat or Roman Painted House, or enjoy a coastal walk along the famous White Cliffs. Dover HarbourThe finding of a Bronze Age cargo boat in Dover in 1992 shows Dover has been a port for at least 3500 years. The boat, built in 1550 BC and the world’s oldest known sea-going vessel, is now displayed at Dover Museum.
Dover Castle was commenced in 1180 to protect the harbour from invasion and was a military fortress continuously until the 1960’s. The famous Dunkirk Evacuation in 1940 was masterminded from the Castle’s tunnels. It is now managed by English Heritage.
The original harbour (Western Docks) was developed by Henry VIII from the early 1500’s and completed by Elizabeth I in 1595 who charged a tax on all ships in England to pay for the work. The entire Dover Bay was enclosed in 1903 as a home for the Navy’s Channel Fleet.
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| Aerial view of Dover Harbour |
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The first car was carried across the Channel in 1908 but the Eastern Docks car ferry terminal was not built until 1953. It is now the world’s busiest car and passenger ferry terminal. |
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