Have you ever wondered how chalk was formed, why we find flint in chalk and how old the rocks are? Now is your chance to discover the answers deep inside the White Cliffs of Dover with the National Trust's resident Chartered Geologist. Join Andrew Coleman for an hour-long immersive talk, inside the chalk tunnels of Fan Bay Deep Shelter.
You'll see various types of chalk and flint, and fossils dating back tens of millions of years - to a time when the Earth was warmer, sea levels were higher, and the UK was in a very different place to where it is now. The content will be quite different to that of the standard Fan Bay Deep Shelter tours, so even if you have visited before, there will be lots more to learn.
During your visit, you will also pass close to the two WWI acoustic (sound) mirrors, and your guide will briefly explain how they worked and how their position influenced the digging of the tunnels in WWII. You will also explore a geological fault that occurred in antiquity, which the tunnels intersect with.
- You will need to be able to climb down and up the 125-step staircase into and out of the shelter.
- The tunnels will be in darkness, and you will be provided with a hard hat and head torch for your visit.
- Booking essential - free for NT members, non-members are £13.10 per adult and £6.10 per child. You must book a ticket for everyone attending, including free tickets for Adult/Child members, and member tickets must be presented with a valid membership card. Normal Fan Bay Deep Shelter and Emplacement entry charges apply for non-members, which you'll pay when placing your booking.
- Meet at the Fan Bay Deep Shelter entrance at 9.45 am
- Supervised children are welcome, but some of the terminology and the tour's duration may be challenging for children under 8 years of age.
- The National Trust recommends wearing trousers and stout shoes with a good grip, as the stairs and tunnels can be wet due to condensation. Shoes must have closed heels and be fastened. No flip-flops, please. The tunnels are at a constant 12 degrees Celsius and are cool and damp in the summer.
- Please allow 45 minutes to walk from the White Cliffs Visitor Centre car park levels to Fan Bay Deep Shelter. The additional parking area is not open for this tour.
Accessibility
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There is no vehicle access. The path to the shelter has steep slopes and steps and is not suitable for mobility scooters or wheelchairs. Entry and exit is via a 125-step concrete staircase with a handrail. There are two landings but no seats due to the small size of the landings. There are steps to/from the path at the sound mirrors, and there are shallow door thresholds inside the shelter.