Who are the Friends of Dover Castle?

The Friends of Dover Castle are a small registered charity set up in 1986, to help Dover Castle best engage with the local community of Dover and the surrounding areas.

Our charitable objectives are to support and promote Dover Castle, through fundraising activity, castle enhancement projects and community based events.

Become a Member

It’s easy to become a member, let alone great value! Visit our membership page to apply online, or download our membership form and send it back to us.

Every membership helps us achieve our community and charity objectives while benefiting from exclusive access to the UK’s largest castle – what more could you want?

Membership options

SOME OF OUR MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS…

Year-round entry to Dover Castle for you and your family

Exclusive Access Tours to areas English Heritage cannot take you

Historical Artefact Viewings exclusively for Members

When do we meet?

The Friends of Dover Castle committee, meet on a regular basis at the Dover Castle Keep Office – on the first Monday of every month. The only expception is if the Monday is a Bank Holiday, then we will meet on the Tuesday.

Each month will often have a theme and all members are welcome to attend, all we ask is you let us know in advance, as we are limited to how many we can accommodate.

There is normally a short agenda to discuss urgent matters, followed by discussions regarding events, tours, projects and fundraising ideas – of which we are always open to your suggestions!

MEETING DATES 2024

Tuesday 5th November (special meet on Bonre Night)
Monday 2nd December

PROJECT SUCCESS STORIES

Defibrillator Project

There are over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year in the UK, but less than one in ten people survive. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation after a cardiac arrest can reduce the chance of survival by up to 10 per cent. Quick CPR and defibrillation...

Plans Chest maps project

This Friends project has come about as a result of our Honorary Vice President Mrs Wendi Atherton's' kind offer to loan us, on a permanent basis, a number of historical maps and plans of Dover Castle. An allocation of funds was agreed by the committee so that we...

Kitchen Garden Project

The project began in March 2022 after the 'Friends' committed an allocation of funds for a special project within Constables Tower. Due to the pandemic the original plans fell through so after discussions were held with senior managers from English Heritage they...

WHAT OUR VISITORS SAY…

"My wife and and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to your castle and the British Army Home Guard exhibits were the highlight of our day "

Bud Anderson, Alabama USA

"Lovely afternoon visiting the Kitchen Garden, the Friends have done a wonderful job restoring it, loved the WLA outfits very fetching !

Iris Partridge, Briddlington

"Beautiful garden so English and thank you to the lovely gentleman in uniform who explained the various army items on show, our grandson was amazed, keep up the good work"

Lillian Westwood, New Hampshire US

"First time visiting this year and the garden already looks beautiful and really excited to see how it blooms throughout the year. The team were so friendly and passionate about this beautiful part of the castle....wonderful to see"

Natasha, Dover

"Beautiful gardens so wonderful to see, wonderful and knowledgeable staff"

Courtney, Folkestone

"First time visiting Dover and this garden was so beautiful"

Ansley & Phillip, Atlanta, GA, USA

"Amazing everything, thanks"

Kate, Nadia, Mar, Khrysd, Ukraine

"Love this ! "

Emilia, Slovakia

The latest from our blog

Our charity is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of Dover Castle, one of England’s most iconic landmarks.
Here, you’ll and updates on our projects, events, and ways to get involved in supporting the largest castle in Great Britain for future generations.