Sunday Funday

Event Date: 03/08/2025 11:00 - 15:00

Join White Cliffs Countryside Partnership for a nature and community filled family fun day at Fort Burgoyne!

FREE EVENT

11am-3pm. Fort Burgoyne, Dover Road, Dover, CT15 5FN.

As part of White Cliffs Countryside Partnership’s Summer Festival, we are hosting Sunday Funday at Fort Burgoyne. Brimming with a wide range of activities, games, information stands, craft stalls and much more this is an event not to be missed.

What’s on?

• "Caspian’s Storm" theatre production by LAStheatre. Packed with puppetry, music, and plenty of laughs, Caspian’s Storm is a fast-paced, interactive show that will have kids and adults laughing out loud. Through his wild adventure, Caspian inspires the town of Crabbiton to grow closer to nature and appreciate the world around them.
• Outdoor cooking experience with Wild Classroom. Drop-in to cook flatbread and other yummy treats over fire with Scott from Wild Classroom.
• Mini Golf from Mr Tees Mobile Crazy Golf!
• Nature Garden & Community Zone: Filled with information stands about local wildlife and children’s activities from various organisations and charities.
• Market Square: Get ready to fill your bags and your bellies in our market square!
• Meet the cows!: Meet the Dexter cows which graze some of our WCCP sites.
• Bug Hunts
• Face painting by Tiny Tots Face Painting

Learn more about the history and wildlife of Fort Burgoyne from WCCP staff and volunteers & much more!

FREE ENTRY- but donations on the day gratefully appreciated. Booking not required.

Accessibility

The event will be split between the tarmacked parage ground and a short grass area. Ramps will be in place to access event areas off the parade ground. Ramps up to the terreplein of the Fort are on short grass, but a steep incline.

There will be a disabled ‘portaloo’ on site.

Useful information

Free entry but donations gratefully appreciated. There may be small charges for some activities.

Not all stall holders and activities will be able to take card payments so bring cash along with you too.

Dogs on leads welcome.

Contact details:

If you have any questions about this event, please email fortburgoyne@dover.gov.uk

Getting to Fort Burgoyne:

We encourage using public transport, walking or cycling to get to Fort Burgoyne however we aware the location of the Fort does not make this easy for all. Please see the below guidance for different ways to reach Sunday Funday at Fort Burgoyne.

Car:

Public parking will be on Burgoyne Heights Recreation Ground. Entrance to field off of A258- What3Words reference: ///with.speech.attend. Please follow the ‘event parking’ signs.

Parking for blue badge holders will be on the former Connaught Barracks site. Entrance off of Dover Road- What3Words reference: ///stars.ending.assume. Please follow the ‘blue badge parking’ signs.

Bus:

The nearest bus stop to Fort Burgoyne is the Dover Castle stop. The Number 81 goes directly to the Dover Castle stop from Dover Bus Station/Pencester Road. It is then a short walk from the bus stop to the main Fort Burgoyne entrance off Dover Road. What3Words reference: ///stars.ending.assume.

The cost of a single bus journey is capped at £3 on most Stagecoach routes in England.

Bicycle:

Destination Dover Bike Hire operate bike hiring in Dover. There are several stations located across the town where you can hire a bike from to cycle up to the Fort. If you don’t want to cycle back you can leave the bikes in the station at Dover Castle Coach Park. More information: https://dovertowncouncil.gov.uk/destination-dover-bicycle-hire-scheme-now-available/

Walking:

If you are walking to Sunday Funday, please enter via the main Fort Burgoyne entrance point off Dover Road. What3Words reference: ///stars.ending.assume.

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.