Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#1
My son and daughter-in-law are having a week's holiday in The Gun Emplacement up at St Margaret's-at-Cliffe, what a fascinating place it is.
I can understand it's name because some of the windows are obvious gun slits, it is also reputed to be the nearest house to France. Peter Ustinov bought it from the Ministry of Defence in 1946 and Miriam Margoyles bought it from him in the 70s. The view from the windows and garden over the Channel is to die for but the very rough track up to it is a nightmare.
While I was there today Miriam in person phoned up to check everything was ok, I think Lesley is still in a state of shock and will be telling all her friends she was tongue-tied with surprise when she returns to Oxfordshire.
http://www.noisenet.org/cottagescottages/contact_display_page.asp?f_web=home.btconnect.com/Knapperdale-Ltd/GUN/-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#2
Looks delightful Jan, very delightful. Certainly an "away-from-it-all" kind of place.
The only sad part is that there's no mention of any sites to visit in Dover - not even the Castle.
Roger
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#3
A very nice hideaway there and really well worth a visit.
I dont know how you feel Roger but the Castle seem to have less a connection with the town than ever. There was an event on there yesterday which attracted mass amount of cars, called Gruesome Dover...but did the town know about it??

Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#4
Plenty to do around the cottage if the weather is right. Here is a chap walking the cliff route yesterday in the gorgeous sunshine just beyond St Margarets .
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#5
i didn't know about the event at the castle and i am a member of "the friends of dover castle".
it is on their website but wasn't in the last newsletter i received.
there is another event this easter weekend 22/25 april.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#6
FoDC had trouble getting the events list from EH, hence the newsletter delayed. It should be out very soon
Been nice knowing you :)
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#7
I think there is a lot more information about the area on the holiday cottages web site which is where Lesley found the place. When we were talking yesterday she was saying how few holiday cottages there were in this area and the SE in general but loads in Yorkshire and the Cotswolds.
I am up there again tomorrow dog sitting for them while they do a day trip. The mobile will be turned off as yesterday it said I was in France and later in the day in Belgium.

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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#8
Roger, so that explains why there were so many cars when we went past, the usual thing with most events in the Dover area, you hear about them AFTER the event it is crazy as well as being annoying.

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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#9
thought that might be the case paul, did not get a newsletter with my new membership card.
the theme this coming weekend is for dressing up through the ages, suppose i will have to dig out my flares and kipper toe.
jan
re; holiday lets, was leafing through a magazine in the dentists last week that was all about that, hardly anything in the south east corner.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#10
Thought this might be of interest to our military mad members it sleeps 6 and costs from £910 per week
Built by the German army during their occupation of the Channel Islands, this concrete eyesore was used as an observation tower as part of Hitler's Atlantic Wall defences. Now available to rent, it's one of a handful of historic buildings in Jersey that have been transformed into unusual holiday accommodation.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#11
I hunted around and found this photo from the lounge / observation room at the top of the tower.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)