North Postern, North Entrance, Western Heights

The North Postern was the arched gateway leading into a tunnel that ran into the Western Heights, Dover. It was protected by a drawbridge that connected with a road bridge linking the postern gate to a central island and then by a second bridge to the outside of the defences. The drawbridge was counterbalanced to be in the up position and was pulled down by a winch in the pit below to allow traffic into the Fortress. The pictures below show the North Entrance postern gate as it was in March 1978 before time and vandals had done too much damage.

 

Jack standing on the bridge over the first dry moat.

North postern gate can be seen through gap in centre island.

 

Bridge over the second, inner, moat. Postern gate is at right of picture.

Lowered drawbridge can just be seen inside archway.

 

Looking into North Postern. Original tunnel into fortress has been bricked over.

Door to spiral staircase is just inside arch on right.

 

View from drawbridge of wooden door leading onto staircase.

This door is now solidly bricked up (Feb.2001).

 

View down cast iron spiral staircase leading to lower rooms under drawbridge.

 

View of winch, which was used to lower drawbridge.

Doorway in background is now bricked up (Feb. 2001).

 

Winch room, under drawbridge, spiral staircase in background.

Also see North Entrance for more photos taken in Feb.2001.