Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#1
Went up to Dover Castle today to see the Operation Dynamo exhibition,arrived at 13.30 saw the price had gone up from £13.90 to £15.95,but as my Wifes Dad was evacuated through Dunkirk to Dover was prepared to pay the money.This was at 13.30 remember 4 and a half hors before they close,handed over my money and was then told all the tours of the tunnels have gone!!!!
I called Dover Castle to voice my disapproval to be told they are doing tours every 10 mins,yet the film show last 8 mins when you go in,so if EH had got the act togther they they could have increased the capasity by 20%
What I like is they charge you more to see less,needless to say we didn't go in,but as a Cllr,a Dover Greeter and someone who directs and recommend things to all the Visitors who pass thru the Train Station is my experience at my day out going to make me send people up to the place that treats its paying guests with contempt.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
#2
Well said JHG. It is about time some concerns were raised about that.
#3
blimey thats disgusting .
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#4
It is quite normal for the Tunnels to hit capacity very early in the day if there is a special event on. This weekend is a living history weekend with a lot of re-enactment scheduled so the prices are also generally raised to cover the cost of displays and extra staffing costs. I do however not like that people are usually told after paying that the tunnels were full - was this on the main gate or visitor centre ?
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
#5
It happened at Constables Gate too where two portable ticket booths were set up. Those buying tickets were told the tunnels were booked up after the money was handed over. English Heritage members still had to pay £2 to get in despite having their membership card that normally entitles them to get in for free.
Fortunately for myself I did get in 'for free' as I am a Friend of Dover Castle. It's well worth joining - just two trips to the castle and the cost is paid for for the year.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#6
bit bad that, visitors should be told about the tunnels before they hand over money.
probably only two weekends a year that there is such a logjam.
phil
thanks for info, i am going tomorrow with the friends ticket.
incidentally, it is only one and a half times the admission fee for a yearly membership.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#7
As Phil said Constabless Gate
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
#8
I was going to do a thread on Dover castle sometime, as I mentioned in a previous posting. My sister went up there last month with her 2 grandchildren. Having cost her £60 with drinks etc, I won`t be up there at the moment. 1982 was the last time. Terrible prices for Dover citizens!
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#9
about 20 quid a year for membership colin.
there are many picnic areas provided for people on a limited budget.
the catering prices are a bit steep, like all tourist sites, but a cup of coffee on its own is much the same as in the town.
the renovation of the great tower cost a small fortune, which naturally reflects on prices, they had to go ahead with the project as visitor numbers were slipping. since the renovation it has been all systems go.
Unregistered User
#10
The meadow next to the Castle was used as a car park and packed at 1345hrs.
Deal Castle car park[paddock] was doing good business.
Watty
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#11
Surprised about that price Colin as it is £34.80 for a family ticket at present. As Howard says though 1.5x the general admission for the Friends of Dover Castle for a year is well worth it
Been nice knowing you :)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#12
i still remember you collaring me all those years ago paul.
will always remain a member, best value for money in dover.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
#13
Thanks for that Howard and Paul. Obviously somethings wrong there. I`ll have to interrogate her today and find out what exactly happened. As for the £20 a year membership, I shall be applying.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
#14
John and all.Re not being told tunnels full.
As Paul has said the tunnels are often popular so become fully booked on busy days.EH do from time to time make increased charges at popular events (market forces).
From the above postings there are two issues.
1. When tunnels are full to be told BEFORE tickets issued and payments made.
2.The price when tunnels are full so "not getting full value" but still would visit. Logically this would reduce the risk of a person not visiting, however, many visitors do not visit the tunnels and with the new "Great Tower" activity are only visiting for this and EH may see such a proposal of a lower price diluting revenue.
Anyway two things:
1. As Chair of The Friends of Dover castle I shall take up at next The Friends of Dover Castle meeting with EH (Scheduled for late June)
2.As said above take advantage of the special membership rates available as a Friend of Dover Castle. Membership Secs Details:
geoffs.hirst@btinternet.com.
Rates as under:
Individual £20.10
Joint (2 adults at same address) £30.15
Family £35.00
Junior £10.05
Senior Citezen £17.10
Joint Senior (at same address) £25.65
In addition I organise for Members three or four special visits, usually when the castle is closed. These are very popular and the next two are already fully subscribed.
#15
Geoff Hirst!!!!!!! The hat-rick hero himself, reduced to managing a database of members.
Sorry, couldn't resist and Geoff is probably cursing the day of the '66 World Cup Final.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#16
Sid Geoff Hurst hatrick hero,wombat!
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
#17
John, I know mate, it was just a play on words.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#18
I will also be at the next Friends ofDover Castle meeting on the 23rd of June at 1815hrs,but it does pay for you all to join the friends and all your familys to it will save you all pounds over the year and also you will get the news letter with all the events in the year at the Castle +others which you have to be in the friends to go on them,and you go to parts of the Castle that the public to not go to.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#19
i arrived there at the same time today as john did yesterday and was told that i could go down the tunnels whenever i fancied.
the reason for yesterdays problem was that the weather was a bit dodgy so people head for the tunnels.
massive crowds today but as it was sunny most people swarmed to the outdoor presentation, which were top quality.
