Accessible Dover Castle Cross-Channel Geopark Festival Walk & Wheel

The Putting Down Routes team and project partners Wild With Wheels are hosting an Accessible walk and wheel at the Cross-Channel Geopark Festival at Dover Castle on Saturday 8 November 2025.

We will be exploring the grounds, taking the most wheel accessible route, whilst stopping to appreciate the views over Dover across the channel to France and learning about the geodiversity and history of the Castle.

There will be a range of activities, including hands-on experiences, performances, displays, stalls, exhibitions and family-friendly activities across the grounds and indoor spaces of Dover Castle.

Event Theme:

🏳️‍🌈 Welcoming and friendly group

⛰️ Geodiversity Walk

🍃 Nature Walk

🏰 History Walk

📚 Interactive and sensory with Nature, History, Geology and Folktales

🌄 A route with a view (rolling downs views)

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⏰ What is the duration of this event? 1.5 hours with breaks.

📏 What is the distance of the walk? Approx 1 miles (exploring the grounds and features around Dover Castle)

🔄 Is this a circular or linear walk? Circular.

🧭 Where is the meeting point?

Address: Dover Castle, Castle Hill, Dover, Kent CT16 1HU

Directions:

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dover-castle/plan-your-visit/directions

What3words: ///verbs.drums.dragon

Grid Ref: TR 32705 41745

Map of Dover Castle:

https://www.englishheritage.org.uk/link/3351ecf2234f4221bc0a21461516ba28.aspx

Meeting Details

Meeting Point: The Lower Car Park, the first left hand turning behind the Officers New Barracks. for Disabled Parking. There is a disabled car park at the top however for our walk we will be meeting at the lower car park due to the walk route, so we advise you park in the lower car park, if you have mobility restrictions. The Wild with Wheels team will be wearing Hi Viz jackets.

We aim to set off from the above meeting point promptly following registration, photo consent checks and brief introductions. Please notify us by email if you are delayed and we can advise you of our whereabouts, so you can catch up with the group.

Please be aware that we will have to depart on time and will be unable to wait for anyone.

👩‍🦽 Is this walk suitable for those using wheeled mobility aids? Or for those with buggies? Yes, All Terrain Equipment and electric powered wheelchairs/ mobility scooters which are able to navigate up steeper inclines

👨‍🦯 Is this walk suitable for those with those with physical, learning, or mental health needs?It is recommended that only experienced users of suitable all terrain wheeled equipment with large wheels, which can manage steeper inclines. Or all terrain buggies and rollators / walking aids. Or Manual wheelchairs and their attendants who can manage steeper inclines on hard level surface.

Please contact wildwithwheels@outlook.com or 07787 181550 (text/WhatsApp or call) if you have any questions regarding accessibility.

Are family and friends able to attend these walks? - Yes, this walk is family friendly.

Please make sure you bring: a drink or water. Please wear walking boots with ankle support if you are ambulatory. Please also bring any medication you require.

For wheeled users, please ensure your batteries are fully charged, and that you have a blanket or waterproof just in case.

👩🏽‍🦽Mobility Scooters are available for hire from Dover Castle. Email to book Dover.Castle@English-Heritage.org.uk

Wild with Wheels do have an Electric Powered Wheelchair which can be booked for the duration of the event. Call or email to enquire 07787 181 550 / wildwithwheels@outlook.com

🚸 What ages is this suitable for? All ages welcome.

🎒 What do I need to bring? Clothes suitable for the weather conditions on the day and water. (Waterproof jacket if rain is expected) We will have ponchos just in case. Please wear sensible shoes if walking, Please also bring any medication you require. For wheeled users, please ensure your batteries are fully charged, and that you have a blanket or waterproof just in case.

🚂 Is this walk accessible via public transport? Yes, however the routes from the nearby bus stops aren't ideal for independent wheelers, with road crossing and steep pedestrian walkway up to the castle. https://kentconnected.org/journey-planner/#/

🅿 Is there parking? Yes, we are meeting at the Lower Accessible Carpark which is the first left hand turning behind the Officers New Barracks (after the Naafi Restaurant). for Disabled Parking. There is a disabled car park at the top however for our walk we will be meeting at the lower car park due to the walk route, so we advise you park in the lower car park, if you have mobility restrictions. The Wild with Wheels team will be wearing Hi Viz jackets.

🔊 Equipment and support can be provided for Visual or Hearing impairments (please let us know in advance).

All details on the accessibility found here

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dover-castle/plan-your-visit/access/

🏞 What is the terrain like on this walk? Most of the route is level, although the paths may be uneven where they are unsurfaced in places. Some areas have hard surface or tarmac.

🚽 Are there toilets nearby? Yes, there are 2 options for disabled toilets in the castle.

The nearest Changing Places Facility can be found here https://www.changing-places.org/

☕ Is there somewhere to get refreshments? Yes, at 2 restaurants in the Castle Grounds

🪑 Is there seating options along the route? Only a few, if available at the time. We recommend bringing a seated rollator or seated walking stick, or borrowing one from Wild with Wheels (please make clear in the booking). Wheelchairs are available to hire from National Trust Knole Park, subject to availability.

🙏 Is there an opportunity to break for prayer if needed? Yes, we encourage participants to stop for mindful moments along the route. Please advise a walk leader if you wish to stop for prayer and we will arrange a suitable area

🐕 Is this event dog friendly? Assistant dogs are allowed in the castle grounds

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📷 Photos or videos are taken during the event for promotional and marketing purposes across the Kent Downs National Landscape, Aspiring Cross-Channel UNESCO Global Geopark, North Downs Way National Trail and Black Girls Hike. Please notify the walk leader of your preferences and complete the consent form here.

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This event is part of the North Downs Way National Trail and Kent Downs National Landscape’s Putting Down Routes Project.

The Putting Down Routes project seeks to encourage new audiences from under-represented communities to the North Downs Way National Trail, as well as upgrading and enhancing parts of the trail so they are more accessible to a wider range of people.

The project aims to position the North Downs Way National Trail as a safe, inclusive and accessible destination where all are welcome.

Putting Down Routes is a collaborative project between the Kent Downs National Landscape and the North Downs Way National Trail, working with partners Black Girls Hike and Wild With Wheels. Putting Downs Routes is funded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes.