Explore the stars with SEKAS at the Western Heights!

Discover the stars at the Western Heights!

Join us for an evening of stargazing at The Citadel Welcome Centre Café, led by the South East Kent Astronomical Society (SEKAS).

You’ll have the chance to:

✨ Use telescopes to observe planets, stars, constellations and other cosmic wonders (weather permitting).

✨ Learn fascinating insights about the night sky from experienced amateur astronomers.

✨ Learn the stories behind our names for constellations and planets.

How to prepare:

Dress warmly—it can get very cold outside at night!

Bring a torch or phone with a torch function (red light preferred to preserve night vision). You can find a red-light tutorial for iPhone here (https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/how-to-turn-your-iphone-screen-red-for-astronomy), or if you're using Android, apps like Twilight: Blue Light Filter or Red Light can help.

Enhance your experience by pre-downloading a stargazing app like Stellarium or SkyView Lite ahead of time. There are lots of free options available.

Optional: Bring folding chairs, blankets, and binoculars for added comfort and personal stargazing.

Important notes:

The event will take place in a sectioned off area of The Citadel car park. Parts of the car park may be wet and uneven, and cars may be operating in the vicinity, so please wear appropriate footwear and take care when crossing the site.

This family-friendly session is suitable for ages 5 and up. Children and young people under the age of 18 must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult.

Refreshments will be available to purchase from The Citadel Welcome Centre Café throughout the event, including hot drinks in takeaway cups which can be enjoyed outside while you stargaze.

The event will go ahead whatever the weather. If clouds and rain mean we can't see the stars, SEKAS will deliver a talk about astronomy, astrophotography and citizen science inside The Citadel Welcome Centre Café.

Any updates will be communicated by email, so please ensure you sign up with an email address you can check reliably.

This event is part of English Heritage's Reaching Greater Heights project and Dover District Council's Western Heights Regeneration project.

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Reaching Greater Heights is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to restore historic chalk grasslands at Dover Castle and Western Heights, protect rare wildlife and heritage, and empower local communities through volunteering, learning, and activities.

With support from Historic England and the UK Government, Dover District Council are working to regenerate Dover’s Western Heights—restoring historic views, improving safety, and reconnecting the site with the town through conservation, community engagement and heritage-led regeneration.

Description supplied by the event organiser.