Whinless Down
Whinless Down Local Nature Reserve and Local Wildlife Site is an area of steep, chalk downland in Dover with Bronze Age barrows and 360-degree views overlooking Dover Castle and the French coast.
Management on site includes cattle grazing to remove coarse grasses and scrub removal to encourage chalk grassland species.
The site is managed on behalf of Dover District Council.
Adventure Awaits
Explore the permanent orienteering course with 30 control points at Whinless Down. Together with High Meadow, this course provides a combined experience for a more expansive adventure. Maps are available here.
Things to look out for
Adonis blue, chalkhill blue, green hairstreak and silver spotted skipper butterflies, raven, green and greater spotted woodpecker, kestrel, wild marjoram, cypress spurge, crown vetch, dyer’s greenweed, bee orchid, adder and common lizard.
Visitor Information
Open: 24 hours
Parking: No on-site parking. Free parking nearby at Elms Vale Recreation Ground car park, Elms Vale Road.
Accessibility: Steep slopes, steps and a kissing gate.
Dogs: Welcome. Please use leads in livestock areas.
Facilities: No on-site facilities.
Nearest bus stop: Queens Avenue (Route 61, 63, 63a)
Other information: Please be aware of grazing animals.
