Coast path works improve accessibility on Dover's historic Western Heights

A key pathway has been upgraded on The King Charles III England Coast Path, which passes along the front of St Martin’s Battery, as part of a range of works to improve accessibility and to continue to transform Dover’s historic Western Heights.  

Latest works have included widening the path leading up to and around the Battery with a new compacted stone surface, as well as new fencing, to provide improved accessibility at this important location.

The enhanced viewing areas are designed to help people enjoy expansive views across Dover Harbour, the English Channel, Dover Castle and the world-famous white cliffs.

These latest works have been managed by DDC, working closely with partners, and have been delivered with funding from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and National Trails.

This is part of a wider project to enhance accessibility and transform Dover’s Western Heights, launched last year following a grant from Historic England to support conservation and regeneration work at the Western Heights.

Volunteers from the Western Heights Preservation Society and White Cliffs Countryside Partnership have also been working hard to manage the site, helping to clear and transform a huge area at St Martin’s Battery. Buildings have been cleared from overgrown vegetation and stunning views of Dover opened up. 

Cllr Lynne Wright, DDC’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Property, said: “We are delighted to see the completion of this work on the coastal path. The Western Heights is one of the district’s most impressive sites and we are very pleased to see excellent progress being made to protect the area, to improve accessibility here and to maintain it as a destination of national and international significance.”

Thomas Kennedy, National Trail Officer for the southeast section of the King Charles III England Coast Path said: “This work has positively transformed the accessibility of the coast path around St Martin's Battery, enabling more people to enjoy the panoramic views across Dover and discover the captivating history of the Western Heights. I’m pleased to see these path improvements have been successfully delivered and would like to thank all those involved in making the project happen.”