Wanstone Rediscovered - public engagement week
As our three-year project comes to an end, join one of our special guided walks to the Wanstone & D2 gun batteries. See the gun emplacements, buildings and magazines and - NEW - two of the massive shells the guns would have fired.
- Booking essential
To celebrate the achievements of the National Lottery Heritage Fund-sponsored Wanstone Rediscovered project, join one of our free special guided tours to walk from Fan Bay Deep Shelter to the Wanstone batteries. Here you will see the D2 Heavy Anti-Aircraft battery and the Jane 15-inch gun emplacement, together with many of the buildings that have been conserved. Both batteries played key roles in defending Britain during of the Second World War, with D2 being active during the Battle of Britain and throughout the War. Jane was commissioned in 1942 and was involved in the sinking and disabling of many ships. In September 1944, Jane and her sister gun Clem shelled the German coastal gun positions as they were being captured, finally ending the battering that Dover and St Margaret's suffered. **New for this event**. We will also be exhibiting two actual 15-inch shells, similar to those fired by Jane and Clem and you'll be able to stand close to these, to get a sense of the daunting fire-power of these massive weapons. The shells have been kindly loaned to us by the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth. We will also be showing a presentation showing the construction of the gun emplacements, and plans of the battery will also be on show.
Times
Prices
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| All Member | £0.00 |
| All Non-member | £0.00 |
The basics
- Booking details
Call 03442491895
- Suitability
Supervised children and dogs on leads are welcome.
- Meeting point
Meet at Fan Bay Deep Shelter 10 minutes before the booked time. Please allow 40 minutes to walk from the White Cliffs car park to Fan Bay.
- What to bring and wear
The walk will be on various surfaces including rough gravel, grass and concrete. We recommend closed-toe shoes, socks and trousers. Please dress for the weather, which can change suddenly.
- Accessibility
Parking is at the White Cliffs car park, with a 40-minute walk to Fan Bay Deep Shelter. The walking route may not be suitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters. If you have limited mobility and wish to attend, please call the contact number for advice before booking.
- Other
Normal parking charges apply - National Trust members can park for free. Please be aware that there are no toilet facilities at Fan Bay or Wanstone. Please use the facilities at White Cliffs before setting out. The nearest facilities are at South Foreland Lighthouse, which is approximately 1 km (3/4 mile) distant. The guided walk will start and finish at Fan Bay Deep Shelter. Your guided walk booking does not include admission to the Deep Shelter or Fan Bay emplacement no. 3; however, these facilities will be open and tickets will be available to purchase on the day, so why not make a day of it? If you are booked on the Wanstone tour and wish to visit Fan Bay Deep Shelter and its emplacement, you can do so in the afternoon. Tours run every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour until 3pm.
Upcoming events
Guided walk: Folklore, Wildlife and Medicinal uses of Chalk Downland Plants
Join our ecologist, Mel, as she takes you on a tour of discovery, stopping to take a closer look at the veritable treasure chest of natural medicines surrounding us.
Guided Walk and Mindfulness: Skylark Serenade
To celebrate National Meadows Day, join our ecologist, Mel, as we walk through the glorious chalk grassland and take time out for a mindfulness moment to listen to the birdsong and the sea breeze blowing through the grasses.
Guided walks to South Foreland Lighthouse
Enjoy a free leisurely guided walk along the cliffs to South Foreland Lighthouse with one of our experienced volunteers. Take in the spectacular views while hearing about the flora, fauna and the history of this iconic place.
Moth Survey Nights
Most of us know that bees do the vital work of pollinating flowers during the day, but did you know that moths also pollinate by day and night, depending on the species? Join us to see the beautiful multitude of moths that inhabit the chalk downland.