A world-famous Kent castle is opening a new major visitor experience next week.

The latest attraction at Dover Castle, called Dover Castle Under Siege, will display a digital model of the historic castle as it was in 1216.

It will also see the castle's northern defences opened to the public for the first time, while children have the chance to experience a siege-themed play area.

After 800 hours of work by English Heritage, the new attraction will be open to visitors from Monday, July 22.

The digital model will unveil how the castle looked before it was besieged and damaged during conflict.

Paul Pattison, senior properties historian at English Heritage, said: "It has taken us months of research, deliberation and difficult decision-making to be able to produce this model.

“The level of detail is astonishing.

“From historical records, plans and maps, and archaeological, topographic and laser surveys – we’ve left no stone unturned in making this model as accurate as possible.”

Between 1215-1217, a civil war raged in England.

French soldiers, led by Prince Louis, the son of King Philip II of France, fought alongside English rebel barons against King John.

Its layered defences offered only one practical route for an attack, at the northern tip where the main gate of the castle stood. French and rebel forces broke through into the outer bailey and an “epic, bloody, struggle for control of the castle ensued”, said the charity.

Bob Marshall, English Heritage’s architectural illustrator, said: “Creating this digital model of Dover Castle was an intimidating prospect mainly given the sheer scale of the castle – it’s the country’s largest in terms of square acreage.

“But by combining all of the archaeology and archival research with detailed surveys, I was able to painstakingly create this model to high standards of accuracy, which has helped to inform the entire new experience.

“I think this use of technology will continue to change the way so many people think of Dover Castle – it hasn’t stayed the same over hundreds of years.

“Each era, from medieval to Georgian to the Second World War, has left its mark.”

For the first time in almost 1000 years since that fateful conflict began, there is a vision of Dover Castle in a brief moment of calm before the siege.