Western Outworks/South Casemates - Dover

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Malenis

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Location
Canvey Island
I've always know this place as 'South Casemates' but after researching it, I have found it is referred to as 'Western Outworks' so now I'm not entirely sure what I should be calling it! :) Maybe both? If anyone has any further info on this place please share.

We were about to go look for a different entrance as we couldn't see a safe route in when we bumped into another group who kindly offered to show us the way in. Turns out we were not very thorough at looking for access points! I'm not sure if any of them are on DP but if they, thank you! I hope you didn't mind us gatecrashing your visit! ;)

Some history I found on Victorian Forts and Artillery: Victorian Forts and Artillery

"The Western Outwork was built to command dead ground to the west of the Citadel. Designed by du Cane, it was adopted by the Royal Commission. The Outwork had a fine double caponier which gave flanking fire back along the ditches which connected it to the Citadel. This caponier, unfortunately, along with much else of the Outwork, was buried by the then Dover Corporation in the 1960s when the ditch was used as a dumping ground for the demolished barracks of a WW2 anti-aircraft battery.
Most of the Outwork is now occupied by an Immigration Removal Centre, but some fine bomb-proof barrack rooms remain, though in a very dangerous condition, and the remaining counterscarp wall is also dangerous in parts. The barracks are visible from outside of an enclosing fence. These imposing casemates are constructed on a grand scale with a wide access staircase at the east end giving access to eight very large barracks rooms on two levels. The floors have all collapsed, all internal fittings removed and the rear walls of the rooms on the roof which served as sergeants, quarters stores and offices have been shored up with modern brickwork. The front facade is still in good condition but steadily being overgrown with ivy."

Other info found says that there is a sewage tunnel that connects the south to the north casemates, albeit a tight squeeze through a ceramic pipe (no thank you!) but at the time we didn't realise there was a north side so we will be returning soon and adding it to our list of 'places to visit in Dover.'

I hope you enjoy the few photos I took....

South Casemates by Malenis Photography, on Flickr

South Casemates-15 by Malenis Photography, on Flickr

South Casemates-14 by Malenis Photography, on Flickr

South Casemates-13 by Malenis Photography, on Flickr

South Casemates-12 by Malenis Photography, on Flickr

South Casemates-11 by Malenis Photography, on Flickr

South Casemates-10 by Malenis Photography, on Flickr

South Casemates-9 by Malenis Photography, on Flickr

South Casemates-8 by Malenis Photography, on Flickr

South Casemates-7 by Malenis Photography, on Flickr

South Casemates-6 by Malenis Photography, on Flickr

South Casemates-5 by Malenis Photography, on Flickr

South Casemates-4 by Malenis Photography, on Flickr

South Casemates-3 by Malenis Photography, on Flickr

31397078206_9d9736a9e2_c.jpgSouth Casemates-2 by Malenis Photography, on Flickr
 
Swag report :D Love the location of this spot. There's something really nice about clambering around on the slopes of Dover. I want to do the pipe o' death...need to prove to myself I haven't got too fat! :p
 
I was reading about someone that got stuck and had one mate with rope round his feet pulling whilst the other pushed his shoulders....let me know how you get on with that Slim ;-)
 
Interesting report. When looking at your pictures of the steps I wondered how many army boots clambered up and down those steps, the steps look well worn.
 

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