The nearest train station to Walmer Castle is Walmer, on the Kent Coast Line. Unless you're already based near Kent, you'll need to travel via London St Pancras International. There are two direct trains per hour, they take different routes - the departure at 37 minutes past the hour, travelling through Stratford International, is much quicker. From Walmer station, it's a 24-minute walk to Walmer Castle. Bus services 82 and 82A also run to the castle.
Station details & facilities
Ticket office
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Accessibility
First Class Lounge
About Walmer Castle and Gardens
Walmer Castle is an artillery fort built by Henry VIII in 1539-40. Walmer formed part of a chain of coastal defences, or Device Forts, to guard against Catholic French or Spanish invasion. Walmer is a characteristic example of Device Fort design, with a squat, circular central tower surrounded by outer bastions rather like the petals of a flower.
Walmer Castle saw action only once, in the English Civil War, when Parliamentarian forces besieged a Royalist garrison for four weeks. A lack of supplies forced the Royalists to surrender. In the early 18th century, Walmer became the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Sandwich and Dover), and turned from fortress to family home. The Castle's most famous resident was the Duke of Wellington - made Lord Warden in 1829, he died at Walmer in 1852.
There is a Wellington Museum at Walmer, which has been redesigned to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, and which wouldn't be complete without a pair of the famous 'Wellington' boots. There are also a number of elegant gardens to stroll around, and refreshments are available in the Lord Warden's Tea Room.
Departures and arrivals from Walmer
Departures
Arrivals
| Departing to | Train | Time | Platform | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| to London Charing Cross | Southeastern | 05:13 | 1 | On time |
| to London St Pancras International | Southeastern | 06:02 | On time | |
| to London St Pancras International | Southeastern | 06:30 | On time | |
| to Ramsgate | Southeastern | 06:45 | 2 | On time |
| to London St Pancras International | Southeastern | 07:00 | On time |
| Arriving from | Train | Time | Platform | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| from Ramsgate | Southeastern | 05:12 | 1 | On time |
| from Sandwich | Southeastern | 06:01 | On time | |
| from Ramsgate | Southeastern | 06:29 | On time | |
| from Ashford International | Southeastern | 06:45 | 2 | On time |
| from Sandwich | Southeastern | 06:59 | On time |