Langdon Battery

Langdon Battery is situated well back from the cliff edge on the top of the White Cliffs above Langdon Bay to the East of Dover Castle. Built originally in 1904, it saw service during both world wars. Originally armed with three 9.2 inch guns of the same type as the Citadel Battery it had in addition two 6 inch guns and was the Examination Battery for Dover Harbour. There was a searchlight battery at the base of the cliffs which could illuminate ships at night while they were under the guns of the battery above. After lying derelict for many years it was chosen as the site for a Coastguard Station due to its excellent position overlooking the busy Channel Straights. Work began in the late 1970's. I believe the contractors at first tried to demolish the superstructure, but after drilling the concrete full of holes, it proved to be too tough a job. The plans were changed and the new Coastguard buildings were built on top of and incorporated into the existing structure. For a map of the Langdon Bay area click here. These photos were taken in March 1977 before work was started on the Coastguard Station.

View of Langdon Battery Coastguard Station, on top right skyline.

Shakespeare's Cliff is in centre distance and Eastern Docks of Dover Harbour centre left.

This photo was taken in Feb. 2001.

Landward side of Langdon Battery as it was in March 1977.

View of Eastern Docks of Dover Harbour from top of Battery.

The building in the water was the 'Submarine Pens'. It is no longer there as land

has been reclaimed from the sea extending the Eastern Docks area out into the Harbour.

(Compare this photo of the Harbour with that above taken in 2001.)

Standing beside steel doors giving access to lower levels of Battery.

Close up of steel doors. Note ladder.

Looking down ladder.

Corridor below battery.

Doorway into...

...room under Battery.

Concrete wall to left is later addition to corridor.

Room with concrete slab tables.

Brickwork of original battery and door that leads to a...

...tunnel cut through the chalk to an Observation Post near the cliff edge.

(Looking back out into room.)

View looking along tunnel towards cliff edge.

Further into tunnel brickwork finishes.

About two thirds of way to Observation Post a flight of stairs led up to a concrete cap.

(This now has a manhole cover built into it.)

For the rest of the tour click on 'Next Page'.


	White Cliffs Underground
Langdon Battery Langdon Battery is situated well back from the cliff edge on the top of the White Cliffs above Langdon Bay to the East of Dover Castle. Built originally in 1904, it saw service during both world wars. Originally armed with three 9.2 inch guns of the same type as the Citadel Battery it had in addition two 6 inch guns and was the Examination Battery for Dover Harbour. There was a searchlight battery at the base of the cliffs which could illuminate ships at night while they were under the guns of the battery above. After lying derelict for many years it was chosen as the site for a Coastguard Station due to its excellent position overlooking the busy Channel Straights. Work began in the late 1970's. I believe the contractors at first tried to demolish the superstructure, but after drilling the concrete full of holes, it proved to be too tough a job. The plans were changed and the new Coastguard buildings were built on top of and incorporated into the existing structure. For a map of the Langdon Bay area click here. These photos were taken in March 1977 before work was started on the Coastguard Station. View of Langdon Battery Coastguard Station, on top right skyline. Shakespeare's Cliff is in centre distance and Eastern Docks of Dover Harbour centre left. This photo was taken in Feb. 2001. Landward side of Langdon Battery as it was in March 1977. View of Eastern Docks of Dover Harbour from top of Battery. The building in the water was the 'Submarine Pens'. It is no longer there as land has been reclaimed from the sea extending the Eastern Docks area out into the Harbour. (Compare this photo of the Harbour with that above taken in 2001.) Standing beside steel doors giving access to lower levels of Battery. Close up of steel doors. Note ladder. Looking down ladder. Corridor below battery. Doorway into... ...room under Battery. Concrete wall to left is later addition to corridor. Room with concrete slab tables. Brickwork of original battery and door that leads to a... ...tunnel cut through the chalk to an Observation Post near the cliff edge. (Looking back out into room.) View looking along tunnel towards cliff edge. Further into tunnel brickwork finishes. About two thirds of way to Observation Post a flight of stairs led up to a concrete cap. (This now has a manhole cover built into it.) For the rest of the tour click on 'Next Page'.

White Cliffs Underground

Langdon Battery