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In 1779 England was at war with America and her allies
(France, Spain and the Netherlands) in the American
war of Independence. An army of 50,000 waited across
the Channel, ready to invade.
To defend the vitally important town and port of Dover,
simple earthwork batteries were thrown up around the
town and on the Western Heights to supplement the now
much outdated mediaeval Castle.
From this simple and inexpensive beginning grew a massive
fortified complex of brick and stone consisting of two
massive forts, miles of dry ditches, barracks
and a hospital, which were not finally completed
until over 90 years later.
The complex remained in use until after the Second
World War. The barracks were all demolished in the
1960s but the two forts and ditches remain and the Grand
Shaft staircase has been restored and is open to
the public.
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