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    Western Heights Halloween Trail

    Event Date: 26/10/2026 11:00 - 13:00

    Free Event

    Booking not required

    Discover spooky facts about the Western Heights and its wildlife as you follow our self-led trail around part of the Western Heights.

    This is a FREE DROP-IN event; turn up anytime between 11 am and 1 pm. No need to book.

    Come along to the spooky Western Heights Halloween Trail to learn more about the local creepy wildlife that calls it home. Pick up a trail sheet from inside St Martin’s Battery and follow the trail to discover fun facts about the wildlife whilst taking in the sights of the amazing Western Heights. Keep your eyes peeled, and see if you can spot the wildlife for real!

    This free event has been made possible with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, supporting English Heritage’s Reaching Greater Height Project & Dover District Council’s Historic England funded ‘Western Heights Heritage and Regeneration Project’.

    Meeting Point:
    St Martins Battery Car Park
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    Parking:
    There is free parking at St Martins Battery car park, this is also where the trail starts

    Alternative parking can be found at South Military Road car park off of North Downs Way (What3Words reference: ///messy.spurned.exposes) a short walk away.

    Facilities:
    There are no facilities on site. The Citadel café is located a short walk away on Citadel Road.

    Accessibility:
    We regret to announce that this event is not wheelchair or pushchair accessible. We endeavour to make our events as accessible as possible, but due to the nature of some of our sites, this is not always possible. We deeply apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

    The route the trail will take includes:

    • Steps, including a long flight!
    • Narrow path which is uneven under foot.
    • Non-tarmacked paths

    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 24 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.

    Event Location - Western Heights

    Western Heights Local Nature Reserve is a large area of cattle grazed chalk grassland, which provides a sanctuary for wildlife. The reserve is also of historic interest owing to two large Napoleonic fortresses: The Citadel and Drop Redoubt, which the reserve surrounds and parts of which are sunken into the hilltops of the Western Heights.

    The reserve stretches over a ridge from the eastern end of Aycliffe to the western end of Dover town centre and is split into several fields: Maxton Field and Clarendon Field to the north; St David’s Field, St George’s Field and Ropewalk Field to the south; and Drop Redoubt Field and St Martin’s Battery Field to the east.

    The North Downs Way, Saxon Shore Way and England Coast Path pass through the reserve and the site is easily accessible on foot from Dover town centre. Drop Redoubt Field is only a five-minute walk from Dover Priory train station. St Martin’s Battery Field provides stunning views of Dover Castle, the White Cliffs of Dover and the French coast. We manage the reserve on behalf of Dover District Council.

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