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View Full Version : Guilford Shaft and Moats Bulwark. Dover. Nov 2008, mid 2009 & 2010.



Herbivore
03-08-2010, 09:23 PM
The Moats Bulwark was built as part of Henry VIII's plans to defend Dover harbour. A large semi-circular battery was added in th 1740s.

Overhauled from 1775 to 1783 when the Guilford Battery was added.(named after the Guilford Lawn which the battery overlooked). And again in 1853 when much larger guns were installed.

The Guilford Shaft, which consists of four spiral staircases totaling 214 steps, was cut in 1797 to connect the battery with the castle. There's a long corridor on each of the three levels leading to the cliff face.

It was used again during both world wars; four-hundred-years after it was first built. First as a shelter for the Seaplane HQ staff in WW1 and as an AA crew shelter in WW2.

Lower shaft entrance. Now sealed.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3445057967_e7dfeb3e35.jpg

Sentry area:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2603/3729820713_4b751288e1.jpg

This leads to another unlined tunnel which points the same way as the one below and leads to a long (60 step) stairway:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/3730645498_bdd3e395ab.jpg

Some of what's on the walls:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4858119120_db5fcc6dab.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/3730568776_7f5dbcfcf8.jpg

Half-way up is another passage: (looking down to it):
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4857466031_d351380ca6.jpg

Looking back from passage:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4857438625_fd142f88c1.jpg

On the left is are four small rooms added in WW2 as accomodation:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4857427313_828f4393fd.jpg

At the top of these 60 steps is a set of doors:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/3730562402_607723b764.jpg

through which is another passage. (leading again to the cliff edge.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3445046977_0fe50b54a7.jpg

Looking back to next set of stairs: (The last ones)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4858067166_57dd853b3a.jpg

Second to last 'landing'
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4857459747_1e66f3e318.jpg

The top step. number 214!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4858096488_b340844366.jpg

Looking back down:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3647/3447750724_1231dcd173.jpg

Looking out of top opening just outside the apron wall of Dover Castle:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4857484353_9b19f34608.jpg

Here's a view of the block-house at the top viewed from the castle. The tarmac path in the foreground leads down to the 'secret' tunnels.
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn151/unfairytale208/DSC01807.jpg

The steps that lead from the seafront to the battery and shaft.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4743343811_4053bbed94.jpg

Looking down to the battery from the Shoulder of Mutton Battery above.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4526920496_c75a16959a.jpg

The storerhouse of Moats Bulwark.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4743355943_3aff4d4068.jpg

One of my old film shots from 1997 of the old seaplane HQ with Moats Bulwark behind.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4858297910_db3df36012.jpg

Herbivore
03-08-2010, 09:35 PM
Bad plan
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4857561391_8edef34126_b.jpg

CitadelMonkey
08-08-2010, 05:43 PM
Awesome stuff dude. Nice meeting you yesterday too!!!

wevsky
16-10-2010, 12:15 PM
They#ve either put a completely new door and surround/frame on on cleaned it right up and painted it as it looked pretty new a few days ago!shame i liked the look of this one!

Herbivore
16-10-2010, 07:47 PM
This was it on 27th june 2010. Just after it was sealed and as it is now.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4743373745_dcf01ea626.jpg

The photo at the top of this thread was taken on 02.11.2008 when it was open.

KingElvis
16-10-2010, 07:55 PM
I like the stairs shot very much.

wevsky
17-10-2010, 12:41 PM
oh i realised was an old report just thought id pop along and see if it was still sealed on a wander round dover as you do! :)