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    Fort Burgoyne Open Day

    Event Date: 19/09/2026 10:00 - 15:00

    Free Event

    Booking not required

    Fort Burgoyne Open Day - No Need to Book. Last admission 2:30pm.

    A rare opportunity to explore Fort Burgoyne and discover more about the site’s history and its diverse range of wildlife.

    Update

    Due to a change in volunteer availability, our open day this weekend will look a little different this time around.

    There will no longer be tours available to book on the day. Alternatively, visitors will be able to explore the lower levels and the casemates independently.
    To help you make the most of your visit, additional signage will be in place to mark the walking route and explain the fascinating history of the site. Volunteers will also be stationed in key areas to offer guidance. Please do stick to the marked route; this is for your safety and to ensure that you get the most out of your visit.
    Any questions about the history of the site can be answered, where possible, by our volunteer history expert, who will be available throughout the day.
    We will also have our popular Fort Burgoyne History books available to purchase by cash or card for £5. This detailed guide covers the history of Fort Burgoyne from its construction onwards and is the perfect reading material following your visit.
    Finally, please note that teas and coffees won't be available on this occasion.

    Thank you for your understanding regarding these changes. We hope you have an enjoyable and fulfilling visit. These open days at Fort Burgoyne are made possible by the generosity of our volunteers' time. Without them, we would not be able to open the gates and invite you to explore this amazing site.

    There is no need to book.

    Cost: Free entry- donations gratefully appreciated.

    Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome but will not be allowed to the lower levels of the Fort- please remember to clean up after your dogs on site.

    Disability access: We welcome all visitors, however, as an ancient scheduled monument we are restricted to the adjustments that can be made. Access to the lower levels is currently unavailable for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility due to steep steps and uneven floors. Access to the terreplein is via a grassed slope- this may not be suitable for some wheelchairs. Ramps will be in place to help navigate over smaller changes in ground level.

    Parking: There is free parking on site.

    Address: Fort Burgoyne, Fort Burgoyne Road, Guston, Dover, Kent, CT15 5FN

    Public transport: Buses on the number 81 route regularly pass by Fort Burgoyne. The nearest bus stop to the entrance gates is 'Dover Castle' next to the coach park. Please visit the Stagecoach bus website for further information.
    The Fast Track bus links Dover Town Centre with Whitfield stopping at the Burgoyne Heights, which is opposite the entrance gates.

    If you have any questions or would like further information please email fortburgoyne@dover.gov.uk

    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.

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