Western Heights Tour

Dover Soul - The Soul of Dover

Western Heights Tour

In this section we will show you some of the features of Dover's Western Heights. A network of fortifications built to defend from the attack of Napoleon in Napoleonic times and were meant to defend Dover from the landward side as it is that way they were expected to attack. Although in the World Wars gun batteries were placed along the cliff top (inc. St Martin's Battery) to defend the town from the seaward side.

View of the Western Heights

The photograph above kindly donated by James Rowson of www.jameshovercraft.co.uk shows the Western Heights in comparison with the rest of the town and shows the full extent of this massive defensive system including the Drop Redoubt Fort, Citadel (nearest to us), Grand Shaft and other numerous defences including the "Lines".

Looking up the Grand Shaft

This picture shows the Grand Shaft built to link the barracks housing soldiers on the cliffs ready for defence if Napoleon did attack. It is not known how it was built although it is believed they built it from the bottom of the shaft carefully alining it through the chalk to the top. As when it was finished being built the top of the shaft cut right through the Parade Ground! This is where the bowl is located and where the three staircases meet. This is the only one of it's kind in the country although there are some similar shafts on the heights with two staircases and one at the castle although this is the only one in the country with three. At the bottom of the shaft another interlinking tunnel had to be built linking it with the Snargate Street entrance where cells and a guardroom were built. The picture belows shows the tunnel leading from the shaft to the Snargate Street entrance.

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