Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1700 to 1899 incorporates the remains of a Medieval tower

Monument Types

• TOWER (TOWER, Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• BUILDING (Post Medieval to Modern - 1700 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

Description from record TR 15 NW 148:
[TR 14845823] Tower [NR] (Remains of) [NAT]. (1) Now incorporated into private house. (2) Only S wall visible. (3) Nos 18 and 19 Pound Lane, Grade II. An 18thc house which incorporatespart of the City Wall. (4) No 19 Pound Lane. Originally tower of 14th century, much altered overthe centuries but still containing some original parts. Now a two and a half storey detached house containing 16th century framing. (5) Tower 18 square. One of six medieval towers between North Gate [TR 15 NE 160] and West Gate [TR 15 NW 155]. It has been converted into a house, No 19 Pound Lane, and was excavated in 1977. Construction of the tower was probably c1380-90. The tower was the western of a pair of towers flanking the water lock. (6)

The Canterbury UAD states that The Tower Inn in Pound Lane, near the Causeway, is a fasinating building. It has been described at various times as The Bastion Tower, a 'Council House', Trott's House, Sudbury Tower. The directory of 1862 lists Mr F Finn as innkeeper; in 1867 it was Richard Lord and in 1882 William Todd who was a marine stove dealer. The Tower Inn closed in 1909.

From 1935 the house was occupied for a time by Charlie Denne, a well known cobbler, at a weekly rent of 4/6d. In the late 1920's the Canterbury Aracheological Society decided to open a Bastion Fund to purchase the house. In 1935 the annual report of the Society stated that, 'The outstanding event of the year has been the handing over of Trott's House, The Bastion, at No. 19 Pound Lane, free of debt, to the custody of the City Council'. (7)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 944 POUND LANE
Nos 18 & 19 TR 1458 SE 2/646
II
2. An C18 house, altered in the C19. 2 storeys stueeoed. Hipped old tiled roof. lst floor has 1 3-light bay and. 1 trefoil-headed lancet with leaded lights. The ground floor has 1 cambered sash and a round-headed doorcase. Rear elevation has 2 dormers with pointed lights. Late C19 extension of 2 storeys stuccoed. 1 sash. Corner doorcase with elaborate curved pediment decorated with scrolls and swags. Slate roof. The house incorporates part of the City Wall. Listing NGR: TR1477058231 (8)

<1> OS 1:2500 (OS Card Reference). SKE48196.

<2> Hist of Kent 4 1799 66 (E Hasted) (OS Card Reference). SKE43984.

<3> F1 FGA 27-JAN-65 (OS Card Reference). SKE42991.

<4> DOE (HHR) City of Canterbury Kent Sept 1973 204 (OS Card Reference). SKE40036.

<5> Hist Builds Survey Cant City Council/RCHME 57033 6 of 6 (OS Card Reference). SKE43875.

<6> Arch of Cant 2 1982 23 106-7 plan (SS Frere S Stow and P Bennett) (OS Card Reference). SKE36823.

<7> Wilmot, E., 1992, Eighty Lost Inns of Canterbury (Monograph). SKE29747.

<8> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading

Related records