Built hundreds – and in many cases thousands – of years ago, the castles of Kent provide us with a window into English history.

From Dover, Walmer and Deal castles looking out over towards France, to further inland, some of our castles still stand as monuments to the past while others have been turned into luxurious homes for the rich.

LEEDS CASTLE

The opulent rooms at Leeds Castle, near Maidstone, have been graced by the rich and famous. King Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson liked to stay there and you can get to see which rooms they preferred on a tour. The Upstairs Tour will also show you where the likes of Pavarotti and Cliff Richard stayed. Tours are on Thursday, March 24 and Thursday, April 21.

The Below Stairs Tours run on Monday, February 29, and on Wednesday, March 30. The tour looks at how hard it was running such large a household in the 1930s. Both cost £5 on top of the usual admission prices and must be booked. Go to www.leeds-castle.com.

HEVER CASTLE

Snowdrops are out in force at historic Hever Castle, near Edenbridge, where there are daily snowdrop walks this month.

The castle itself was closed in January and underwent a major spring clean before its reopening. You can follow a trail of thousands of snowdrops emerging from winter hibernation and see early blossoms of camellia and quince in the gardens. Pick up a map at the Information Centre but just don’t forget your wellies. For details go to www.hevercastle.co.uk/whats-on.

LULLINGSTONE CASTLE

Lullingstone Castle celebrates its 40th season of welcoming visitors.
One of the oldest family estates in England, the manor house and gatehouse date back to 1497. Henry VIII and Queen Anne are both known to have been regular visitors.
The season will kick off with an Easter egg quiz and trail on Saturday, March 26 to Monday, March 28. Then on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22, Lullingstone holds its first Orchid Festival.

Leading gardening expert Jim Buttress will officially open the orchard house on the Saturday, and visitors can learn about hardy and tropical orchids and hear from castle owner Tom Hart Dyke. They can also meet specialist nursery staff and hear talks and go on tours. It runs from 11am to 5pm both days.
For further details go to www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk.

In What's On's new regular feature, we turn the spotlight on our county’s castles. Here we profile Dover Castle, once a bastion and frontline defence for the country, now one of Kent’s biggest tourist attractions with regular family-friendly events.

DOVER CASTLE

History: It goes back a VERY long way: around AD 43 there was an Iron Age hillfort, which led to the foundations for the medieval castle’s curtain walls. There was a Normal castle on the site before Henry II rebuilt it in 1180. The castle successfully defended against a Great Siege in 1216-17 after Prince Louis of France invaded England. It has a Great Tower which visitors can climb to be transported into a world of courtly intrigue and royal goings-on.

Highlights: Right by the sea, it has amazing views and is an oasis among the hustle and bustle of a busy port.
Hidden depths: The Napoleonic tunnels were used in the Second World War as naval and later combined services headquarters, where the Dunkirk evacuation was masterminded.

Opening: 10am to 4pm Saturdays and Sundays until March 25. For details go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dover-castle
Entry: £18, £10.80 for children.