A total of £59,000 has been awarded to a scheme that intends to make visitors aware of Dover’s history.

The Dover Bluebird Heritage Trail has received the cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Dover District Council, the Port of Dover and Dover Town Council have also donated £15,000 which will pay for the ongoing costs.

The trail will bring together Dover’s Bronze Age Boat, extensive Roman town remains, Saxon, Norman and medieval religious institutions and Tudor, Georgian and Victorian fortifications.

The route will be self-guided and the way will be paved by bronze pavement markers.

People will get a free guide with a map, website, and an interactive app.

It will allow access to the trail and give further information and images, details of heritage attractions and opening hours.

The grant application was put forward by The Dover Society on behalf of the Port and Community Forum (PCF) of which it is a member. It was established in 2013 by the port as an independent forum for engagement and debate on issues of interest.

In January 2014, the PCF appointed a trail group including representatives from The Dover Society, Port of Dover, Dover Greeters, Dover hoteliers, Big Local, English Heritage, White Cliffs Country Tourism Alliance, Dover District Council and Dover Town Council.

The trail has been a working progress since then.

Derek Leach, chairman of the PCF and the Dover Society, said:“While many know that Dover has a long and interesting history, few are aware of what and where much of that history is located and of its richness.

“This applies to both its local residents and the millions of people who pass through the town every year, either en route for a ferry crossing or as a cruise passenger. The Port has also a large number of marina visitors during the summer months.”

Tim Waggott, chief executive at the port, said: “These are truly exciting as well as pivotal times for Dover. While we take bold steps into the future, we want to celebrate the past and use it as a way to bring our community together, bring visitors to Dover and reveal the heritage which binds us and identifies us.

“This is a fantastic example of finding innovative way to improve connectivity through partnership working and what we can achieve by all working towards a shared vision.”

The aim is to launch the trail by July 31 next year.