Western Heights
Western Heights Local Nature Reserve is a large area of cattle grazed chalk grassland, which provides a sanctuary for wildlife. The reserve is also of historic interest owing to two large Napoleonic fortresses: The Citadel and Drop Redoubt, which the reserve surrounds and parts of which are sunken into the hilltops of the Western Heights.
The reserve stretches over a ridge from the eastern end of Aycliffe to the western end of Dover town centre and is split into several fields: Maxton Field and Clarendon Field to the north; St David’s Field, St George’s Field and Ropewalk Field to the south; and Drop Redoubt Field and St Martin’s Battery Field to the east.
The North Downs Way, Saxon Shore Way and England Coast Path pass through the reserve and the site is easily accessible on foot from Dover town centre. Drop Redoubt Field is only a five-minute walk from Dover Priory train station. St Martin’s Battery Field provides stunning views of Dover Castle, the White Cliffs of Dover and the French coast. We manage the reserve on behalf of Dover District Council.
Things to look out for
Cowslip, violets, common spotted orchid, pyramidal orchid, whitethroat, peregrine, kestrel, small blue butterfly, adonis blue butterfly, wall brown butterfly, great green bush cricket, rose chafer beetle, bloody-nose beetle, common lizard.
Visitor Information
Open: 24 hours.
Parking: No on-site parking. On street parking or nearby parking available at St Martin’s Battery Public Car Park, South Military Road.
Accessibility: Steep slopes and kissing gates.
Facilities: No on-site facilities.
Dogs: Welcome. Please use leads in livestock areas.
Nearest bus stops: Northern section: Westbury Road (Route 68) or Hardwicke Road (Route 68), southern section: St Giles Road, Aycliffe (Route 61, 61A, 90), eastern section: North Military Road (Route 93) or Knights Templars (Route 93),
Other information: Please be aware of grazing animals.
