WHPS facilitate free monthly tours of the Drop Redoubt for people wishing to see the fort and learn a bit about its history and features from our own knowledgeable guides.
Please note these are for Drop redoubt Fort only, we do not offer tours of the Grand Shaft staircase which is open for self guided tours as per our calendar page.
These must be pre-booked directly through us at whpstours@gmail.com.
Dates Third Sunday of every month April – September. Please check the calendar for availability as sometimes these may conflict with our events (particularly in July and September) and may not therefore be available some months but our calendar page will be updated regularly.
Times The tours start at 1100 and 1400 and usually last for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours although you can choose to leave earlier if you wish. A volunteer will escort you back to the entrance door on request as the external door has to remain locked whilst on site for security reasons.
Cost WHPS do not charge for these tours although if you enjoy the tour and the information provided we would welcome a donation towards the work of the Society. All money raised goes directly back into our work as none of our committee or volunteers take any type of financial reward for their time.
You can make a donation safely online at our GoFundMe page or we welcome cash donations on the day.
Availability Tours are currently restricted to a maximum of 15 visitors per tour for safety and comfort reasons and must be booked in advance. Unbooked visitors may be refused access if tours are full.
Location Meet by the engineer’s tunnel just to the left past the cattle grid on Drop Redoubt, Dover (CT17 9DY). Limited parking is available on Drop Redoubt road or nearby St Martins Battery car park (all free and approx. 5 mins walk away).
Photography Visitors are welcome to take video, photographs and utilise photographic opportunities with our re-enactors when they are present. Please note that we do not allow the use of drones or other aerial recording devices within the fort for safety reasons.
Disability access We regret that due to the nature of the site and the access difficulties the Drop Redoubt is not suitable for wheelchair access or visitors with limited mobility. Access to the ditches is through a small tunnel with limited headroom for approx. 3-4 feet. There are steps into the fort and access to the vast majority of the fort requires navigating at least 70 steps.
Toilets There are no facilities on site at the Drop Redoubt fort or the surrounding area.
Refreshments There are no refreshment facilities on site and visitors are encouraged to bring any food/drink they may require with them.
Site specific The Drop Redoubt is a Napoleonic structure and listed scheduled ancient monument. There are numerous steep drops, grass banks, hidden trip hazards and areas of loose brickwork. Safety signs and temporary barriers are installed to protect visitors and we ask you to respect them as they are for your safety. Your tour guide will accompany you throughout the tour and you are asked to remain in their vicinity at all times. It is important that the group stays together to enable the guides to adequately protect visitors.
Children We welcome visitors of all ages but children must be carefully supervised due to the nature of the site (see site specific info above). The site is not suitable for pushchairs. Visitors are welcome to leave them at the entrance although WHPS cannot accept responsibility for their supervision or loss of left items.
Pets Dogs are welcome on site as long as they remain on a lead and under control. Owners are required to clear up after their pets and should be aware that when re-enactments are taking place they may involve very loud firing.