Dover Castle Eastern Moats

The moats on the eastern side of Dover Castle contain several sally ports, bastions and earthworks linked to each other and to the castle itself by underground tunnel systems. The moats are arranged so that fire could be concentrated along the length of the moat from galleries running out into them as well as from rifle galleries built into the walls of the moats (also see Hudson's Bastion). These defences were linked together by passages that enabled the garrison troops to move between them without coming under enemy fire. In the early 80's I explored several of these tunnels including one which came out inside the castle walls and another that ended in a small opening overlooking the Eastern Docks. Unfortunately access to these tunnels has now been sealed, but the surface buildings in this area are of some interest. There is even one of the drawbridges in perfect condition complete with counterbalance. These pictures were taken in March 2001.

Napoleonic Battery at end of eastern moats overlooking Dover Harbour.

Magazine of battery with gun positions each side.

Left gun emplacement with old cannon barrel set into ground as mounting for gun.

Entrance to underground section, tunnel leads through earthworks to inner moat.

Entrance would have had drawbridge with pit in front of it.

Just inside entrance tunnel turns to left with second drawbridge.

Note perfect condition of drawbridge...

...with counterweight still in position.

Tunnel then turns to right and leads out into inner moat.

Note door on left which leads into a room which gives access to the tunnel system.

Unfortunately door is sealed, but a photo was obtained of the room...

...through a gap at the top of the door.

The spiral staircase leads into the tunnel system.

The door on the other side of the main tunnel leads into several rooms like this.

This one has rifle slits to cover the inner moat.

In the inner moat, looking back at the main tunnel through the earthworks.

View looking up the inner moat.

Gallery running across the moat to give sweeping fire down the length of the moat.

View looking towards the cliff edge.

Bricked up window in left hand wall also led into the sealed room.

View of cliffs at end of inner moat.

Western arm of Dover Harbour in background.

For more pictures including some taken in the sealed tunnel section

see John Vaughan's Dover Underground.


	White Cliffs Underground
Dover Castle Eastern Moats The moats on the eastern side of Dover Castle contain several sally ports, bastions and earthworks linked to each other and to the castle itself by underground tunnel systems. The moats are arranged so that fire could be concentrated along the length of the moat from galleries running out into them as well as from rifle galleries built into the walls of the moats (also see Hudson's Bastion). These defences were linked together by passages that enabled the garrison troops to move between them without coming under enemy fire. In the early 80's I explored several of these tunnels including one which came out inside the castle walls and another that ended in a small opening overlooking the Eastern Docks. Unfortunately access to these tunnels has now been sealed, but the surface buildings in this area are of some interest. There is even one of the drawbridges in perfect condition complete with counterbalance. These pictures were taken in March 2001. Napoleonic Battery at end of eastern moats overlooking Dover Harbour. Magazine of battery with gun positions each side. Left gun emplacement with old cannon barrel set into ground as mounting for gun. Entrance to underground section, tunnel leads through earthworks to inner moat. Entrance would have had drawbridge with pit in front of it. Just inside entrance tunnel turns to left with second drawbridge. Note perfect condition of drawbridge... ...with counterweight still in position. Tunnel then turns to right and leads out into inner moat. Note door on left which leads into a room which gives access to the tunnel system. Unfortunately door is sealed, but a photo was obtained of the room... ...through a gap at the top of the door. The spiral staircase leads into the tunnel system. The door on the other side of the main tunnel leads into several rooms like this. This one has rifle slits to cover the inner moat. In the inner moat, looking back at the main tunnel through the earthworks. View looking up the inner moat. Gallery running across the moat to give sweeping fire down the length of the moat. View looking towards the cliff edge. Bricked up window in left hand wall also led into the sealed room. View of cliffs at end of inner moat. Western arm of Dover Harbour in background. For more pictures including some taken in the sealed tunnel section see John Vaughan's Dover Underground.

White Cliffs Underground

Dover Castle Eastern Moats