Castles make perfect fantasy locations and now one of Kent’s finest fortresses is about to star in an all-new Hollywood movie alongside Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep and James Corden, as Dan Wright found out.

Dover Castle has guarded our shores from invasion for 20 centuries and is one of Britain’s most historic monuments.

But since its magnificent keep was built in the 1180s, it has never once hosted a fairytale ball for Cinderella – or witnessed a giant causing an earthquake in its grounds. That, however, was before the cast and crew of Into The Woods paid a visit.

The A-list film, which hits cinema screens on Friday, January 9, stars Oscar-winner Meryl Streep alongside Hollywood favourite Johnny Depp, and was shot at the Kent landmark in September 2013.

Based on the award-winning Broadway musical of the same name, Into The Woods tells the tale of a childless couple who set out to end a curse placed upon them by a vengeful witch, encountering characters from well-known fairytales along the way.

Depp plays the role of the Big Bad Wolf, with other stars including Anna Kendrick from Twilight as Cinderella, Emily Blunt, who previously starred with Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada, as the baker’s wife, Star Trek’s Chris Pine as the Prince, and comedian James Corden as the baker.

Despite film-makers confirming at the time of shooting in the autumn of 2013 that Pirates of the Caribbean star Depp would not be seen at Dover, hundreds of local people applied for the chance to be extras in the film.

The crew shot scenes for the King’s Palace, where Cinderella’s marriage to the Prince takes place, on location at the castle. Atmospheric night-time scenes were also filmed on site – with only torches burning to light the way – while another dramatic scene saw an earthquake strike the castle.

“It’s not every day you get to witness a giant causing an earthquake, or get to host a fairytale ball!” said Becky Smith, the castle’s general manager.

“We had to strike a careful balance between the needs of our visitors, the protection of the historic buildings and the film-makers’ requirements, which I feel we achieved very well.”

Sitting high above the iconic White Cliffs, the castle isn’t near woodland, but producers created a woodland scene by brining in trees and shrubs, and putting them on the grass banks within the site’s outer walls. It worked, and in the film the castle lies at the edge of woods, an ideal setting for the King’s Palace.

It is in the palace where the wedding of Cinderella and her Prince takes place on a royal balcony, with one of the Great Tower’s grand gateways adorned with a curtain of flowers and used for the scene.

Becky added: “The income we gain from this activity is an extremely valuable resource which goes directly back into caring for English Heritage properties, but it’s also a great opportunity to show off the majesty of Dover Castle in a high-profile, British-made film.

“It just goes to prove that the best fantasies are founded on the best reality.”

What’s it all about?

Several Grimm fairytale classics, including Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel, feature in Into the Woods, which is a film version of the hit Broadway musical.

While Johnny Depp and Meryl Streep star, the story puts a new spin on many timeless fairytale characters.

Childless baker James Corden and his wife Emily Blunt take a trip into the woods to confront the witch, Streep, who has placed a curse on their family. On their journey, they meet Rapunzel, Mackenzie Mauzy, Cinderella, Anna Kendrick, and the big bad wolf, Depp – all in a bid to reverse the spell.

The Disney film is directed by Oscar nominee Rob Marshall.

DOVER’S ROLL OF HONOUR

Forget Hollywood, Dover Castle is the place to film at – here’s a full list of what else has been shot there

Wolf Hall (2015). Upcoming BBC period drama starring Damian Lewis, Mark Rylance and Claire Foy is out next year and was filmed at the fortress.

Poirot “The Clocks” (2009). Part of ITV’s Agatha Christie’s Poirot series with David Suchet was filmed there.

The Other Boleyn Girl (2008). Starring Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman, Dover Castle was used to represent the Tower of London for the execution scenes of George and Anne Boleyn.

To Kill A King (2003). The castle was used to represent the Tower of London in this English Civil War film.

Johnny English (2003). Starring Rowan Atkinson, Ben Miller, Natalie Imbruglia and John Malkovich, the site forms a backdrop for Johnny’s entry into England.

Kevin & Perry Go Large (2000). Dover Castle featured as a backdrop in the opening minutes of the film.

Wind in the Willows (1996). Adaptation of the Kenneth Grahame’s classic novel starring Steve Coogan, Eric Idle and Terry Jones, the castle provided external scenes of the Gaol.

Hamlet (1990). Starring Mel Gibson and Glenn Close, the fortress provided the main location for Elsinore Castle, the home of Hamlet and his family.

Lady Jane (1986). Dover was used to represent the Tower of London in this costume drama about the chaos following the death of King Henry VIII, starring Helena Bonham Carter.W

Doctor Who – Mind of Evil (1970). Starring Jon Pertwee, the castle was used for many scenes and featured as a prison. Walking around the castle, Doctor Who fans should be able to spot many very recognisable locations from Mind of Evil.

INTO THE TOURS

If you fancy a trip to where the movie was shot, Dover Castle will be offering Into the Woods-themed guided tours from Saturday, January 10.

Spaces should be reserved on 01304 211067 and will cost an additional £2 per person on top of the standard admission of £17.50 per adult.

Tours will be on Saturdays, January 10, 17, 24 and 31 at 1pm.

For more details visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/dover

Into The Woods is on general cinema release from Friday, January 9. Visit movies.disney.com/into-the-woods