Western Heights is the area of high ground to the west of Dover, overlooking
the town and Dover Castle and the first earthwork defences were started
in 1779. The most important structures were The
Citadel, North Centre Bastion and Drop Redoubt, connected by a series of deep dry ditches, four
miles in all, which were built in the period 1800 to 1810 as part of the
defences against French invasion of the south coast. During the 1860's
the defences were strengthened and admittance was restricted to two gateways,
Archcliffe Gate and North Entrance. Other gun batteries were added around
the perimeter of the high ground later in the 19th century - St Martins, Citadel, South Front and North Lines Right Batteries. Grand Shaft and South Front barracks provided additional accomodation to hold a total of around 4000 soldiers.
The Western Heights Preservation
Society is dedicated to restoring as much of the structure as possible
and to helping prevent any further destruction. The present good
condition of the Drop Redoubt is down to their efforts. Visit the
very detailed Western Heights
Preservation Society
site where you can read about and join the Society.
Inside the defences, by the road leading to the Citadel, are the remains of a small 12th century church that were discovered during the building work in the 19th century.
Directions
On the western side of Dover. A footpath runs right
around the site
