Guided Walk: Family Friendly Bat Walk

Event Date: 23/08/2024 19:30 - 21:00

This is an evening event at Fort Burgoyne aiming to give the younger generation an opportunity to learn more about bats and experience a bat walk.

We will start the evening off with a basic introduction to bats including their identification features, diet, and their use of echolocation. As the sun begins to set we will play a game of ‘Bat & Moth’ before handing out bat detectors and providing an overview of how they allow us to eavesdrop in on the bat’s echolocation calls. We will then go for a walk around the Fort using our detectors to help us locate and identify the bats flying around us.
Please note:
• This event is suitable for those aged 5+.
• The gates into Fort Burgoyne will open at 7:15pm and the event will start at 7:30pm. The gates into the Fort will close at this time and latecomers will not be admitted.
• Dogs on leads are welcome.
• If the weather forecast for the evening looks poor and unsuitable for the walk we will postpone the event and contact all attendees via email using the email address you provide when booking.

Meeting Point: Black entrance gates to Fort Burgoyne.

Free parking available at Fort Burgoyne. Gates into the Fort off of Dover Road will open 15minutes before the start of the event. Dogs on leads welcome.

The walk will take place as light is fading and across uneven ground so please bring a torch, wear sturdy comfortable footwear and wrap up warm!

Children must be accompanied at all times. Due to limited spaces we appreciate only one adult accompanying each child during the event. Please note each ticket booked is for one child plus one accompanying adult.

Adult tickets are £5 and children's tickets are £2.50

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.