Walmer Castle

• 1708: Lionel Sackville, the Duke of Dorset, resides at Walmer Castle.
• 1803: Former Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger, moves in with his niece, Lady Hester Stanhope. 
• 1806: Robert Jenkinson, Lord Hawkesbury (later 2nd Earl of Liverpool) became the next Lord Warden and moved into the grounds.
• 1829: The Duke of Wellington becomes Lord Warden. As a result, he begins staying at the castles during the summer months and uses it as a prime location to entertain friends and family.
• 1842: Queen Victoria spends a month at Walmer Castle with her family.
• 1865: The 2nd Earl of Granville became Lord Warden and made Walmer Castle his permanent home.
• 1891: WH Smith becomes Lord Warden for only six months.
• 1913: The 7th Earl Beauchamp becomes Lord Warden and stays at Walmer Castle with his family every summer. He hosts parties, pageants, dances, and tennis and croquet matches.
• 1915: Prime Minister Asquith stays at Walmer Castle during the weekends.
• 1978 to 2002: After becoming Lord Warden, Queen Elizabeth begins her annual stays at Walmer Castle

General Layout

Walmer Castle is a defensive artillery fort, nearly identical to Sandown Castle. The area of the castle measures approximately 51 by 51 metres (167 by 167 ft) across and covers a total of ¼ hectares (.61 acres). Its overall design is a mash-up between traditional mediaeval English castle layouts and Italian defence styles.

Original Layout

Walmer Castle was originally a military fortress, designed explicitly for fighting off attacks on Downs. The defensive fort featured a massive moat surrounded by a curved curtain wall measuring 4.6 metres (15 ft) thick. To access the castle, occupants would make their way through the meadow.

The original layout included three levels of artillery, with the biggest and most powerful weapons situated on top of the bastions and the Keep. In the basement were multiple firing spaces. Small openings were left in the walls to allow for the easy movement and operation of the weaponry. Additionally, vents were installed to provide an easy outlet for smoke from artillery fire.

Bastions

Four bastions surrounded the Keep, with the western bastion serving as the gatehouse on the ground floor. This bastion also conveniently contained the Porter’s Lodge, as the porter acted as the gatekeeper.

The southern bastion was accessed via the Hall Room, and in it sat several chambers, originally designed as lodging for the Castle Gunners. The Duke of Wellington’s quarters as well as the Lucas Room also sit within the southern bastion. William Pitt used these quarters during his residency at the castle, as they held the most warmth during the cooler months of the year.

While the south and west bastions are hollow to make room for living quarters and other amenities, the east and north bastions are filled in. These solid towers were designed purposefully to provide a strong, durable platform for the heavy artillery on top.

Keep

The towering Walmer Castle Keep is 25 metres (83 ft) wide and sits right at the centre of all four bastions. In the Keep was the Servant’s Hall, Dining Room, Drawing Room, and Ante Room. These rooms boast magnificent rose and purple-coloured glass window panes installed by the Earl of Liverpool. The Ante Room overlooks the solid northern bastion and its gun platform.

A long hall runs inside the castle and directly through the Keep. This design was planned and its construction carried out by William Pitt. The purpose was to connect both the north and south side of the castle.

Gardens

Walmer Castle’s gardens date back to the 1790s and 1860s. The gardens encompass nearly 13 hectares (32 acres) of land near the castle. Next to the castle sits two magnificent gardens. The primary garden is vast and extends to the northwest.

Broadwalk is an 80 metre (262 ft) walkway, flanked on the sides by beautiful hedges. This path divides the gardens and cold greenhouses from the Oval Lawn. Two terraces act as an additional divider between the other half of the garden. Additionally, there is The Glen, a woodland hollow. This area was created thanks to a 19th century quarry. There are steep slopes along the sides, though they are fenced off.

Modern Layout

Today, visitors still access the castle through the meadow lined with Holm Oaks. The meadow is surrounded by the now-dry moat which also serves as a garden that contains various types of trees and shrubbery.

During the 18th century, part of the second floor of the west bastion (and the Keep’s west side) was converted to apartments for the Lord Wardens. Today, these areas are open to visitors. The Lucas Room is decorated in mid-19th century decor. The Wellington Room features centuries-old artefacts, including a pair of the first “Welle” boots. The Willingdon Room acts as a museum exhibit for William Pitt’s belongings.

In 1842, The Prince Consort and Queen Victoria stayed at the grounds and slept in specific rooms. These two rooms within the Keep are known as The Prince Consort’s Room and Queen Victoria’s Room.

Part of the old Kitchen Garden area was converted to a tennis court during the 1920s. However, it would later become The Queen Mother’s Garden. This garden is a relatively new addition, designed and constructed in 1997 by English Heritage. It was granted as a gift for the Lord Warden at the time, the Queen. It includes a 28 metre (92 ft) long pool, an observation hill, and a lovely pavilion.

The paddock on one side of the terrace boasts Ash, Beech, Chestnut, and Holm Oak Trees. Unfortunately, these trees were severely damaged in 1987 and 1990 after storms came through the area.