Guilford Shaft, which is located at the far south western corner of the Castle complex, was constructed in the 1850s to provide access from the castle to the Moat’s Bulwark and the Guilford Battery at the base of the cliff face.

The 214 steps of the spiral staircase lead down from a pitched roof covered building, adjacent to the approach to the cliff casemates balcony, to the foot of the cliffs. Within the staircase itself are several defensive features including landings, doors and defensive loops, as well as lighting passages leading out to the cliff face. During the Second World War some of these lighting passages were converted into observation posts and had short accommodation areas added to them, as well as steel doors at the top and bottom.summarised rom sources (1-2)

<1> English Heritage, 2014, Dover Castle Conservation Management Plan Volume 2 Gazetteer (Unpublished document). SKE52105.

<2> Johnathan Coad, 1995, English Heritage Book of Dover Castle and the Defences of Dover (Monograph). SKE52106.