Cliff Top Emplacements

These Gun Emplacements/Observation Posts lie along the cliff tops between Folkestone and Dover looking out over the Channel above the site of the old Shakespeare's Cliff colliery. Now much enlarged by Channel Tunnel spoil and grassed over to become the area now known as Samphire Hoe (after a flower mentioned in King Lear that still grows on these cliffs). This section of cliffs has many old WW2 buildings, including a deep shelter at Lydden Spout, as well as the emplacements shown in these photos. The buildings overlooking Samphire Hoe were part of the Hougham Battery site. One of the emplacements is even being used as a farmer's store. These pictures were taken in Jan. 2001.
For a plan of the Hougham Battery and cliff top emplacements courtesy of Duncan Forrester click here.

 

View from landward of White Cliffs, note emplacements on cliff edge.

 

View westwards along cliff edge, with observation post/pillbox in

centre and on left skyline is the Citadel and the Western Heights.

 

View of White Cliffs above Samphire Hoe showing Gun Emplacement.

Below is the Folkestone to Dover railway line and Shakespeare's Cliff tunnel.

 

Another emplacement with grass covered roof.

Dover Harbour in background.

 

Close up view of emplacement near western end of Samphire Hoe.

In WW2 the sea came right up to the base of the cliffs.

 

View looking out over the Channel from inside previous emplacement.

The end of Dover Harbour can just be seen.

 

These four photos were taken in Feb. 1977 and show an emplacement

that is now being used by a farmer and is therefore not open.

 

View through slit of interior showing passage to lower level.

 

Inside lower level.

 

Outside entrance to lower level.

 

Observation Post on cliffs overlooking the Warren, Folkestone.

This photos was taken summer 2000.

 

Copt Point Folkestone, on the right is a WW2 emplacement

and on the left is Martello Tower #3. Note the WW2 addition on the top.