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THE WELL HOUSE, THE CITADEL, DOVER

The Citadel was the stronghold of the Western Heights; it served as the storehouse for the entire fortification and would have been the place of final retreat should the Heights have come under attack.  The well in the grounds of the Citadel would have been a vital source of water, especially in a battle situation.  It is 403 feet deep and would have been able to supply water to all 7000 men barracked at the Western Heights.

As the Citadel is still in use by the Home Office it has retained many original features, and gives a very good idea of how other features around the Heights would have looked before they were deserted.  The well house is on two levels; all the flooring, window frames and other features are original to their construction period of 1805 - 1815.  The bottom level was the gun floor, providing covering fire along the surrounding ditch towards the outer bastion.

Location: Western Heights, Dover

Condition:

Date Of Visit: 2/06/05

Plan: No

Fortifications In This Area:

The Citadel, Western Outworks, Outer Bastion, South Flank Casemates, North Flank Casemates, Archcliffe Cells, Archcliffe Galleries, Dover Breakwater, Detached Bastion, North Entrance

The Citadel from above.

THE WELL HOUSE, THE CITADEL, DOVER

The main room in the well house.

At the top of the well, which goes down some 403 feet.

The original winch.

Pulley still in place.

The original winch still in place.

There are two spiral staircases which both lead to the well house.

Window frames like this one would have been used all over the heights.

The main tower, sitting over the well house..