Fort Boo-Goyne

Event Date: 24/10/2025 15:00 - 18:30

Fort Burgoyne becomes Fort BOO-Goyne for one day only.

As the autumn sun begins to set behind the ancient walls of Fort Burgoyne, something strange stirs in the shadows…

Whispers tell of a mysterious trail that appears only once a year. Those brave enough to follow it will find themselves on a magical journey through the hidden corners of the fort, where curious characters and spooky surprises await.

Off the trail, the fun continues with Halloween crafts to conjure up creepy creations and mini games to test your courage. With the chill of the evening creeping in, gather around the glowing campfire to toast marshmallows and make delicious s’mores, if the ghosts don’t get there first, of course!

We encourage you to come dressed up in your spookiest costume to help you blend in with the enchanted world you’re about to enter. So, grab your cloak, your witch’s hat and your bravest face and join us… If you dare.

£5 per child. Booking essential. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 
Multiple time slots available to book.

Please note: This event is intended to be spooky, but not scary. Nature of activities and themes mean that this is suitable for children aged 4+.  

Meeting Point: Fort Burgoyne, Dover Rd, Guston, Dover, CT15 5FN (this is a new postcode so may not be recognised on some map services).
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Parking: Free parking is available inside Fort Burgoyne. Gates will open 15 minutes before the start of the event.

Dogs: Dogs allowed on lead.

Toilets: Toilets available on site.

Accessibility: This event is partially accessible. There may be some areas which are difficult to navigate for wheelchair users. If you would like to know more information please email us on fortburgoyne@dover.gov.uk with the subject line of the event title. Thank you.

Weather and clothing: This event will take place outside, and so there are a few things to consider.

• Please wear sensible footwear. Please no flipflops, sandals, crocs or other open toed shoes.
• Please wear appropriate clothing for the days weather.
• Ensure you bring adequate layers if the weather is chilly.
• Consider waterproofs for the everchanging British weather.
• Please consider bringing a spare change of clothes, as they may get a little dirty and/or wet. We recommend long sleeves and trousers to reduce the risk of insect bites.

This event will be going ahead whatever the weather, unless there is an amber weather warning in place. Ranger will periodically check the weather in the lead up to the event and will make a decision 18 hours prior to the event. In the case of cancellation you will be notified by the event leader via the email provided at the time of booking.

Extra information: Please note that there will be: uneven ground, steep drops, non-tarmacked paths, steep slopes

Event Location - Fort Burgoyne

Fort Burgoyne

Located beside Dover Castle and the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, Fort Burgoyne is a scheduled ancient monument dating back to the 1860s. Originally known as "Castle Hill Fort," it was built to defend Dover Castle. In addition to the historical buildings, a diverse range of wildlife can be found on site, including Common lizards and Slow worms, and is a site of high importance for several bat species. Currently, the main Fort Burgoyne building is closed to the public, except during events. WCCP manage Fort Burgoyne, including The West Wing, Coombe Hole and Burgoyne Heights Recreation Ground on behalf of The Land Trust.

The what3words location of the entrance to Fort Burgoyne is - ///topped.hunter.push

The West Wing

In 2023, the West Wing Battery of Fort Burgoyne was opened to the public following significant investment in the conservation of its structures and improvements to accessibility. With restricted opening times, the West Wing Battery welcomes visitors from 10 am to 4 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. This area features historical elements such as the gatehouse, gun shed, tool shed, and gun platform, all dating back to the construction of Fort Burgoyne.

From the gun platform, visitors can enjoy views of Dover Town, Dover Castle, and Britain’s busiest ferry port. Adding to the experience is the immersive sound installation “I Would Rather Walk With You” by Emily Peasgood. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council as part of the Pioneering Places East Kent project, this installation combines archival audio of soldiers, bespoke choral recordings, and community-produced material. It takes visitors on a journey, honouring the site’s military history while celebrating its evolution into a community space.

The what3words location of the entrance to The West Wing is - ///spices.super.noted  

Recreation Ground

Spanning 7 hectares, the recreation ground and woodland surrounding the northern and eastern areas of the Fort offer glimpses into its ditch, as well as breath taking views of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the English Channel.