St. Martin's Deep Shelter

St. Martin's Battery lies at the top of Military Hill, on the South Military Road, with an excellent view over Dover Harbour. The battery was built during the 19th century and extensively modified during WW2. The entrance to the Deep Shelter lies in a bank behind the battery. Originally built as a magazine for the guns of the battery the excavations were deepened and extended with a new series of deep tunnels in WW2. These photos were taken in Oct.1976, when the entrance was still open. It is now sealed with a welded steel gate. For a plan of the Western Heights see Maps.

 

Entrance gate taken Jan.2001.

 

Plan of Deep Shelter courtesy of John Vaughan.

 

Entrance to Magazine and Deep Shelter.

 

Inside first level, tunnel leads to Victorian Magazine.

 

Steps leading down to lower level added in WW2.

 

Concrete steps still in good condition.

 

Steps reach bottom shelter tunnels.

 

Spacious Main tunnel/room.

 

At junction of main and spur tunnels, roof collapsed but still passable.

 

Further on tunnel completely blocked before secondary exit.

 

Secondary Entrance to deep shelter, now completely blocked with chalk, Jan.2001.