**HISTORY**

Fort Burgoyne was constructed in the 1860s to safeguard Dover Castle and defend the South Coast during various conflicts. Initially named 'Castle Hill Fort,' it was one of the Palmerston Forts built along the South Coast of Britain to protect against invasion. The Fort was designed using a polygonal system, allowing for protection and observation from the highest strategic point in Dover. It was renamed in honour of General John Fox-Burgoyne, a 19th-century Inspector-General of Fortifications and the son of John Burgoyne, who fought in the American Revolutionary War.
There have been a few deaths in and around the Fort. Here are some I have found:
In July 1872, Matthew Curran, a Colour Sergeant in the 3rd Buffs, a married man and father of one child, 32 years of age, worked as a Canteen Sergeant at Fort Burgoyne. Curran was respected in his Regiment and a general favourite amongst many. It was noticed he had been depressed in the days leading up to his suicide. There had recently been some trouble regarding the canteen accounts, and Curran was due to be placed under arrest on the day; he got up at the usual time, went to the meat store, and delivered the requisite quantities of meat to the different companies. Curran then told the soldier who acted as his servant to fetch his rifle. The man asked him what he wanted it for this early in the morning, and he replied that he was off to practice shooting at the butts. The rifle was given to him, and shortly afterwards, a gunshot was heard. Curran was found in the storeroom, lying in a pool of blood, with one side of his face and head blown entirely away. He had taken off his boots and discharged his rifle by pressing his toe on the trigger, the muzzle being placed so close to his face that the force of the explosion carried away the flesh, bone, and brains—a portion of the bullet lodged in the ceiling. Death was instantaneous. He left behind him a note saying that was the last rations of beef he would ever serve out.
In May 1873. William Hogg, aged 37, a Private with the 38th Regiment who had served 14 years in India, was found in the Absolution room, gasping for breath; he was moved to the Barracks room but died shortly after. He had been complaining about pains in his back, especially around his kidney area. The Staff Surgeon Major said, ''I should imagine he died from the bursting of a blood vessel near the heart area'' The Coroner, in summing up, remarked upon the deaths of the soldiers from heart disease, which he said seemed to be an almost everyday occurrence. The Jury reached the verdict of death from heart disease.
In January 1875, A soldier, Charles Miller, aged 37, was found frozen to death, leaning against a step, in a passageway that led to the married quarters at the Fort. The Jury at the inquest came to the verdict that he fell while intoxicated, and the cause of death was accelerated by exposure to the extreme weather. 
On Friday, 18th June 1886, James Young, age 38, A militiaman with No. 5 battery 2nd brigade Cinque Porte Division, was found at around 4.45 am lying in the ditch on the left-hand side of the Fort. He had been drinking the night before and had fallen between 40-50 feet into the trench and had broken his thigh. The bone was protruding through the trousers. He was taken to the Castle Hospital and had his leg amputated but died from shock to the system at 5 am on the following Sunday.
In May 1888, William Cotterell, age 38, a local pharmacist who was well known by many in the area, was found dead near the drill ground. He had been suffering from headaches and fainting fits. At the inquest, the coroner stated he died of Syncope, so it was ruled as death by natural causes. 
In November 1889, a Royal Artilleryman fell into the Trencher, which surrounded Fort Burgoyne. He lay where he fell all night, with both legs broken and was found early morning. He was taken to the Castle Hospital, and for several months, he appeared to be doing well. Still, with his left leg refusing to heal, it was decided to amputate that limb. The operation took place, but the man died a week later.
In May 1913, a dead newly born child was found in the moat area by two soldiers; she was wrapped in brown paper and had been deceased for 3-4 days, mother unknown. 
After the First World War, Fort Burgoyne was converted into a military depot for Connaught Barracks. Until recently, the central part of Fort was still owned by the Ministry of Defence and was considered part of the Connaught Barracks site, which is currently undergoing redevelopment for housing.
Since military operations at the site ceased in 2006, several planning applications have been submitted, including proposals for an open prison and the construction of 500 new homes. However, these plans did not focus on restoring Fort Burgoyne or developing it to benefit the wider community and visitors to the Dover region.
In 2014, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) handed 42 hectares of land to the Land Trust with an endowment. Half will be used to restore the site, and half will be used to maintain it in future years.
They have been working on the many overgrown areas of this historic and geographically unique site. The plans are to open it to the public for the first time in its history and make it accessible for the community and visitors. 
Fort Burgoyne is still closed to the public except for events. However, the site still offers various activities outside the Fort, including informal walking, dog walking, and sports. Additionally, there is a weekly volunteer day on Friday and a training program through Green Angels. They also have events programmes inside the Fort, guided walks are part of the events schedule,
The West Wing Battery is open from 10 am to 4 pm, Wednesday through Friday. The Estate, the recreation area, and the Coombe Hole local wildlife site also have open public access.

2. DOVER WESTERN HEIGHTS
Drop Redoubt Road Dover CT17