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WESTERN HEIGHTS

52 ha

📷 Nick Smith · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

BirdsWildlifePlay
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome52 ha

Getting here

51.11785, 1.29734

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • ☀️Summer family visits work well here — arrive early and plan for a longer stay
  • 🛝Playground 124m away — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Bike parkingParking· FreePlayground

Best for

10 activities

Bird watching

Nature reserve

Free

Wildlife

Nature reserve

Free

Playgrounds

playground, parking

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — nature reserve

Free

Family friendly

playground

Free

Forest walks

Nature reserve

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

12 signed routes nearby · 2 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
European walking route E9, Rye to DoverWalking route
Named routeRef E9International walking route
North Downs Way (Eastern)Walking route
Named routeNational walking route
Saxon Shore WayWalking route262 km
Named routeLength 262 kmRegional walking route
Via Francigena - 01 part Great BritainWalking route
Named routeRef VFInternational walking route
North Downs Way (Canterbury loop)Walking route
Named routeNational walking route
🚴

Cycling

88 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
NCN Regional Route 17 (Kent)Cycling route
Named routeRef 17Regional cycle route
National Cycle Route 2 Dover to HastingsCycling route
Named routeRef 2National Cycle Network
NCN Regional Route 16Cycling route
Named routeRef 16Regional cycle route
NCN Regional Route 15 (Kent)Cycling route
Named routeRef 15Regional cycle route
NCN National Route 1 Dover to CanterburyCycling route
Named routeRef 1National Cycle Network
EuroVelo 5 - Via Romea Francigena - part United KingdomCycling route
Named routeRef EV5International cycle route

About this nature reserve

Western Heights is a Local Nature Reserve of 52 hectares situated in Dover, South East England. The site comprises heathland and grassland areas, supporting various bird species and providing extensive walking trails with scenic views.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Part of the immigration removal centre on Western Heights

📷 Nick Smith · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Part of the immigration removal centre on Western Heights

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🏞️SAMPHIRE HOECountry park2.4 km→✦Fortifications, Roman lighthouse and medieval chapel on Western HeightsHistoric site200 m→🌱Pencester GardensUrban park1.5 km→🌱Pencester GardensUrban park1.5 km→🌱Connaught ParkUrban park2.1 km→✦Dover CastleHistoric site2.1 km→

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