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aerial photograph of Walmer Castle Kent England UK.Deal Castle was constructed 1539-40 by Henry VIII as part of a chain of defences around the south coast to defend against attacks from France. The other forts in the chain were Sandown and Deal ,both of which followed a similar design. Although a French attack never came, the castle was heavily fought over during the English Civil war when it was captured by Royalists and then retaken by the Parliamentarians after prolonged fighting. from the 18th century on the fort was of little military value but was used as the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. Lord Wardens have included the Duke of Wellington and Winston Churchill. Today the property is open to the public and managed by English heritage.