The Duke of York’s Royal Military School: a 225th anniversary tour.

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School has a rich history dating back to 1801. It was founded in Chelsea by the then Duke of York, known to all as the Grand Old Duke of York. It provided for the education of children of soldiers who had either been injured, killed or the family made destitute during the Napoleonic and Peninsulas Wars. The school moved to its current purpose-built site in Dover in 1909. The old Chelsea site is now the Saatchi Galleries. Our motto is 'Looking forward with confidence, looking back with pride' and it is with this in mind that we welcome visitors to the school today.

Guests will be met by the School Archivist and given a 90-minute tour which will include an introduction to the school’s history, a tour of the Museum, and a visit to the School Chapel at the heart of the community. There will be an opportunity to see original documents and artefacts relating to the school's 225-year history. This will include items illustrating the personal stories of those who attended and worked at the school as well as its relationship with the town of Dover.

At the end of the tour senior students will be on hand to escort guests to their cars and tell them something of their experience of the school in the present day.

Timings

Sunday 13 September:

0900, 1130 and 1400

Sunday 20 September:

0900, 1130 and 1400

Location & directions

Duke of Yorks Royal Military School, Guston, Dover, Kent, CT15 5EQ

Directions:

From Canterbury A2 take the third exit at The Jubilee Way roundabout and turn almost immediately right into the school entrance.

Contact on day:

Andrew Nunn

Telephone number:

+447749918843

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Booking opens 9am Monday 24th August. Booking closes 9am on the morning of each tour.

Booking website:

https://www.ticketsource.com/null/e-mvrdpa

Booking opens:

24 Aug 2026 09:00 AM

Booking closes:

20 Sep 2026 08:00 AM

Accessibility details

Visitors should be able to walk approximately 400 metres on all flat pathways. Museum & Chapel are wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

The tour takes place entirely on the school campus. Visitors will be accompanied at all times and will not be free to walk round independently. The tour is not suitable for children under the age of 12.

Max number of people:

12

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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