Location: Fort Burgoyne, Dover

Date: 14th March 2024

Blog Written by: Gini (Disabled Walk Leader/Founder)

For our last session at Fort Burgoyne of the season, we made the most of having a dry day to explore further afield around Fort Burgoyne.

So, we strolled over to visit the West Wing Battery. Originally attached to the Fort by a secret tunnel and dates back to 1860. This spot worked well as a look out post to protect Dover Castle. There are far reaching views across Dover and the port. There is also a glimpse through the trees overlooking war graves from Dunkirk at St James Cemetery below.

The West Wing is currently open from Thursday - Sundays 10-4pm. The Land Trust transformed this historic monument with help from funding by The National Lottery UK and Arts Council England. A lot of hard work went into the transformation process, uncovering the walls and features from underneath the overgrown vegetation.

Artist, Emily Peasgood welcomes you to the West wing with her poem 'I would rather walk with you' set up as a sound installation. This creates an atmosphere which brings the place to life, with a deeper connection to the heritage and communities of Dover.

We enjoyed the views, and learning more about Fort Burgoyne and the West Wing. The first signs of spring with native wild flowers were appearing around the green spaces. Hannah from Natural Pathways Bushcraft spotted Cramp Bark Fungus growing on a decaying Ash tree trunk which had once stood tall in the West Wing.

There are accessible walkways (a little steep in places), but our wild rollers managed ok. We pushed ourselves up the last few steps with support from our team, to admire the view. And it was well worth it.

The space is a perfect setting for community use, with sheltered spots to protect from the elements. And those with good mobility can access Connaught Park below down some wooden steps.

We're looking forward to setting our next date at Fort Burgoyne in the Summer, so that we can explore the wildlife around the Fort when it is full of colour and butterflies.

📸 Image Credit: Laura