This trip didn't entirely go to plan on account of the fact that I was pressed for time and half-way through my Autofocus packed up on me (Thanks a lot Canon - you try focussing manually in low light!). However, the most important thing was that I found an easy way in, which was good as myself and Fluffy had previously discussed the merits of taking a machete in such an overgrown environment. As it turned out, I found it by trying a different route at my second attempt, which was much easier. The first attempt could have been extremely nasty, given the fact that the outworks has a 30ft drop either side of the main caponier, and you cant always see the drop because it is so overgrown. Anyhoo, this was a good recce opportunity, and I will definitely be going back in the next couple of weeks - ostensibly to have a shufti around the magazine tunnel which is behind the entrance bit that I photographed below. Anyone who wants to join me should let me know....
And so for some history. Fort Burgoyne was a Palmerston Fort, built in the 1800's to defend against the threat of invasion. It is quite unique though in that it has two batteries extending from it to East and West. The main body of the fort is now situated inside the Connaught Barracks which is technically disused though still has a heavy security presence. The Eastern Outworks is on the other side of the A258 and is equally overgrown but seems to be more difficult to access for various reasons. When you see the size of the ditches on this baby, you'll understand that IF the French had made it past Dover Castle and the Drop Redoubt, they would have definitely had a brown trouser moment trying to climb down this one...
The entrance
You have to walk across these two beams to get in - not sure if they were part of the original structure
Looking from the entrance down along one of the defensive ditches
Inside the entrance caponier, with a good look at the original wood ceiling beams
Gratuitous fish-eye shot:
And a good view from the top of the defensive ditch
As I say this should be a taster for some more stuff which I should do in the next two weeks. In the mean time...enjoy
GDZ
And so for some history. Fort Burgoyne was a Palmerston Fort, built in the 1800's to defend against the threat of invasion. It is quite unique though in that it has two batteries extending from it to East and West. The main body of the fort is now situated inside the Connaught Barracks which is technically disused though still has a heavy security presence. The Eastern Outworks is on the other side of the A258 and is equally overgrown but seems to be more difficult to access for various reasons. When you see the size of the ditches on this baby, you'll understand that IF the French had made it past Dover Castle and the Drop Redoubt, they would have definitely had a brown trouser moment trying to climb down this one...
The entrance
You have to walk across these two beams to get in - not sure if they were part of the original structure
Looking from the entrance down along one of the defensive ditches
Inside the entrance caponier, with a good look at the original wood ceiling beams
Gratuitous fish-eye shot:
And a good view from the top of the defensive ditch
As I say this should be a taster for some more stuff which I should do in the next two weeks. In the mean time...enjoy
GDZ
