Fort Burgoyne Guided Walks (Afternoon)

Event Date: 14/04/2023 13:30 - 15:30

Join White Cliffs Countryside Partnership for a guided walk around Fort Burgoyne!

Join White Cliffs Countryside Partnership for a family friendly guided walk around Fort Burgoyne. During our stroll we will cover the past, present and future of this fascinating site:

• We will provide an overview of the history of the site.
• We will look out for the incredible diversity of wildlife on site including basking reptiles, numerous species of insects visiting the wildflower areas and the importance of the site for bats.
• Habitat improvement works being delivered by WCCP as well as the ongoing development to the structures on site.
• Plans for the future of the site.

Fort Burgoyne is normally closed to the public so this is a great opportunity to visit and discover one of the hidden gems of Dover.

This guided walk will be following a route which is accessible for those using wheelchairs but please note the ground is still uneven in places and we will be going up a long incline to the top of the Fort. This is a family friendly event and activity booklets will be provided for children to complete as they walk around the site. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

For the history buffs out there, WCCP also run in depth history tours of Fort Burgoyne. These tours are slightly longer and will take you to more areas of the Fort than this guided walk. History tours will be bookable via the WCCP Eventbrite page when dates are released.

A book covering the full in-depth history of Fort Burgoyne will also be available to purchase at £5 each (cash only please)

Dogs on leads are welcome.

Meeting point:

Fort Burgoyne, Dover Road, Guston, Dover, CT15 5FN (this is a new postcode so may not be recognised on some map services).

We will open the gates in Fort Burgoyne 15 minutes before the start of the event. Please do not arrive any earlier as there is nowhere safe to wait on the road. If you are running late, please ring or text us to let us know- once the event begins latecomers will not be admitted.

Parking:

Free parking is available inside Fort Burgoyne

Event contact:

Lauren- 07874 888 035

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.