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Dover: Lock and Key of the Kingdom
The Western Heights - Introduction
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Western Heights to supplement the now much outdated mediaeval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 sometimes open to the public.
Click on the links below for more information on the Western
Heights.
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Western Heights to supplement the now much outdated mediaeval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 sometimes open to the public.
Click on the links below for more information on the Western
Heights.
Citadel and Drop Redoubt
Grand Shaft
Barracks
St Martin’s Battery
