Calling all 11-19 year old explorers

Join us during Dover Youth Festival to explore the hidden side of Western Heights—places people rarely get to see.

Learn how to explore safely and ethically, take powerful photos, and document what you find. Build skills in risk assessment, photography, research and documentation — all while contributing to the Heritage List for England. Be part of the team helping to protect and celebrate Dover's heritage by recording what's there now, before it changes or disappears.

It's about doing urban exploring the right way: with permission, with purpose, and with pride.

Sessions take place every day, Monday to Friday, during Dover Youth Festival. You must be available to attend all sessions to take part. 

Please note, this event is reserved for 11-19 year olds.

For more details and FAQs, please visit our event booking page.

Session dates, times, locations, and activities:

Mon 20 Oct, 15:00-17:00, The Citadel Welcome Centre Cafe: Meet the people who keep Western Heights safe, including English Heritage, Kent Police, and White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, and play a vital role in planning for the rest of the week.

Tue 21 Oct, 15:00-17:00, The Citadel Welcome Centre Cafe: Learn how to take powerful photos of historic buildings and document your explorations with your own smartphone or camera.

Wed 22 Oct, 11:30-13:30, The Citadel: Explore The Citadel, including the revetment, the prison, and some of the underground chambers, with an exclusive chance to meet the owner and find out what it's really like to look after an enormous historic fortification.

Thu 23 Oct, 11:30-13:30, Western Heights North Entrance (Meet in St Martin's Battery Car Park): Venture into Western Heights' North Entrance by torchlight and explore the old musketry galleries, roadway, and drawbridge system.

Fri 24 Oct, 15:00-17:00, The Citadel Welcome Centre Cafe: Upload your photos and comments to Historic England's Heritage List for England, and become a recognised part of the team preserving our country's heritage for the future.