Walmer

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Walmer
static_

static_image_caption=Walmer Castle
latitude= 51.2043
longitude= 1.3985
population = 6,693 (2001)
shire_district= Dover District Council
shire_county = Kent
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= Dover
post_town= Deal|postcode_district = CT14
postcode_area= CT |dial_code= 01304
os_grid_reference= TR374505

Walmer is a town in the district of Dover, Kent in England: located on the coast, the parish of Walmer is 6 miles (10 km) north-east of Dover. Largely residential, its coastline and castle attract many visitors. It has a population of 6,693 (2001).

Walmer is closely associated with its adjoining neighbour, the town of Deal - sharing many amenities and services and benefiting from Deal's High Street shopping area.

Walmer railway station is on the Kent Coast Line.

History

Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar reputedly landed on the beach here in 55 BC and 54 BC. It is only one possible landing place, but [http://www.athenapub.com/caesar1.htm it is the most probable] , judging from the distances given in his account of the landings in his "Gallic Wars". It was in the 19th century thought that he landed by Deal Castle - hence a house there with SPQR emblazoned on its gate - but the landing-point is now put half a mile further south, beyond the lifeboat station, and marked by a concrete memorial.

Walmer Castle

Walmer Castle and its beautiful formal gardens are a major attraction for visitors. The official residence of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports since the 18th Century, the building is now an English Heritage property.Famous Lord Wardens have included Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Sir Winston Churchill, William Pitt the Younger (whose niece Lady Hester Stanhope first created the gardens), and the Duke of Wellington (of the Battle of Waterloo fame). Wellington lived there for 23 years and the castle houses not only a collection of Wellington memorabilia but also the room in which he died.

The Castle was built in 1540 as one of three on this part of the Kent coast by orders of Henry VIII. The others were nearby at Deal (southern Deal) and Sandown (north Deal) - the Deal one survives, the Sandown one has been lost to coastal erosion.

People from Walmer

People born in Walmer include:
* Dornford Yates

Lifeboats

Churches

*Old St Mary's Church, Walmer
*St Saviour's Church, Walmer
*St Mary's Church, Walmer

External links

* [http://www.walmerweb.co.uk WalmerWeb - the locally operated community website for Walmer]
* [http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/castles/walmer%20castle.htm Walmer Castle]
* [http://www.walmercouncil.co.uk/ Walmer Parish Council]
* [http://www.stormit.co.uk/ Walmer based IT Consultancy]