National Lottery Thanks to You Open Days - Wanstone Rediscovered 2025
As part of the National Lottery Open Week 2025, take a guided tour of the newly uncovered remains of the largest guns installed on the British mainland. Also, visit the nearby D2 heavy anti-aircraft battery.
- Booking not needed
- Free event
In July 2022, the remains of one of the Second World War cross-channel guns, nicknamed 'Jane', were uncovered at Wanstone, near Dover, Kent. Then, in February 2024 we rediscovered the 'Clem' emplacement. These made up the largest gun battery ever built in Britain, and the largest breech-loaded weapons ever installed on British soil. The guns could fire a 1980 lb shell 26 miles.
As part of the National Lottery Open Week, take a guided tour of the spectacular gun sites, magazine, crew shelter and the D2 Battle of Britain 3.7-inch heavy anti-aircraft battery. All laid hidden since the 1960s.
We'll have our team of friendly volunteers on hand to welcome you and share the detailed history of the site, together with actual plans of the gun sites and images of the guns in action.
Weather permitting we'll use our additional parking area for this event, accessed from Upper Road, opposite Sherley's Farm. www.what3words.com/fidelity.book.approve. This parking is just 300 metres from the sites. Please check our Facebook page or website for up-to-date information before travelling.
Times
The basics
- Suitability
Supervised children are welcome.
- Meeting point
Meet at the welcome point just inside the Wanstone field gate at www.what3words.com/enchanted.parading.skyrocket
- What to bring and wear
The site is uneven and some paths are unmade and slippery when wet, so please wear stout footwear. The location is exposed with limited shelter - please dress appropriately.
- Accessibility
The additional parking area has a natural grass surface that can be soft and uneven. If you have limited mobility and wish to attend this event, please call the property office on 01304 202756 and select option 5. The remainder of the site has some gentle slopes but the majority of the Jane and D2 sites can be viewed from mostly concrete paths.
- Other
This project has only been possible due to the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and this event is primarily designed as a thank you to players. Normal parking charges apply - National Trust members can park for free. Please bring a National Lottery ticket, Instant Win Game, or scratch card (physical or digital) for free admission and a guided tour. Anyone who isn't a National Lottery player, who would like to visit on these dates can still attend and there is a suggested donation of £5 per person. The nearest facilities are at South Foreland Lighthouse, approximately 1 km walk. You can keep in touch with the project on the White Cliffs of Dover Facebook page: https://bit.ly/NTWhiteCliffsFB and on our web page: https://bit.ly/WanstoneRediscovered - why not bookmark these pages now?
Upcoming events
Volunteer Open Mornings 2025
Looking for something different to do? We’d love to welcome you to one of our 2025 Volunteer Open Mornings. Drop in and meet our friendly staff and volunteers and hear about all the opportunities coming up this year.
Plant Fair
The White Cliffs of Dover Plant Fair is your opportunity to revitalise your garden, window box or window ledges with top-quality plants at bargain prices. Lovingly tended by our volunteers, these plants will satisfy the most discerning gardener.