Explore the Heights!

Event Date: 09/04/2026 10:00 - 12:00

Join WCCP as we explore Western Heights discovering more about its wildlife and history as we go.

Our walk will take us across the Western Heights from St Martins Battery view point to the Drop Redoubt where we will need to navigate uneven paths, narrow tunnels and steps and will be approximately 2km long walk.

Along the way we will look out for signs of spring and migratory birds as well as acknowledging some of the sites history. Younger explorers can take part in a scavenger hunt too as part of the walk.

This is a FREE event and there is no need to book. Please meet at St Martin's Battery for a prompt 10am start.

This event has been made possible with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, supporting English Heritage’s Reaching Greater Height Project & Dover District Council’s Historic England funded ‘Western Heights Heritage and Regeneration Project’.

Photos and videos will be taken during this event to support the projects. A photo consent form will be handed out at the start of the event.

Instructions
Suitable for ages 5+.
Children must be accompanied at all times.

Meeting Point: 
St Martin’s Battery Car Park, S Military Rd, Dover, CT17 9DW
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Parking: 
Free car park at St Martin's Battery. 

Facilities:
There are no toilets on site. Citadel café is located a short walk away.

Accessibility:
Please note that there will be a long flight of steps, steep slopes, uneven ground, non-tarmacked paths and narrow tunnels. A full safety talk will be given at the beginning of the event by the Ranger.

We regret to announce that this event is not wheelchair accessible. We endeavour to make our events as accessible as possible, but due to the nature of some of our sites, this is not always possible. We deeply apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Dogs:
Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome.

What to Bring:
Please wear sensible footwear- no flipflops, sandals, crocs or other open toed shoes. We recommend long sleeves and trousers to reduce the risk of insect bites.

Please wear appropriate clothing for the days weather: consider sun cream, sun hats and plenty of water if the weather is warm but ensure you bring adequate layers if the weather is chilly and bring waterproofs for the everchanging British weather.

Event Location - Western Heights

Western Heights Local Nature Reserve is a large area of cattle grazed chalk grassland, which provides a sanctuary for wildlife. The reserve is also of historic interest owing to two large Napoleonic fortresses: The Citadel and Drop Redoubt, which the reserve surrounds and parts of which are sunken into the hilltops of the Western Heights.

The reserve stretches over a ridge from the eastern end of Aycliffe to the western end of Dover town centre and is split into several fields: Maxton Field and Clarendon Field to the north; St David’s Field, St George’s Field and Ropewalk Field to the south; and Drop Redoubt Field and St Martin’s Battery Field to the east.

The North Downs Way, Saxon Shore Way and England Coast Path pass through the reserve and the site is easily accessible on foot from Dover town centre. Drop Redoubt Field is only a five-minute walk from Dover Priory train station. St Martin’s Battery Field provides stunning views of Dover Castle, the White Cliffs of Dover and the French coast. We manage the reserve on behalf of Dover District Council.