Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Tennis courts are visible on the north-eastern bank of the River Dour, behind Maison Dieu House, Dover on historic OS maps dating to the early 20th century. It appears to be linked via a footbridge to the bowling green which is located on the opposite bank of the river. It is likely that it was the grounds of the Dover Institute’s Tennis and Bowls clubs which was dissolved in 1907. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information)

Monument Types

• TENNIS COURT (Post Medieval - 1880 AD? to 1891 AD)
• TENNIS COURT (Post Medieval to Modern - 1900 AD? to 1907 AD?)

Full description

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Tennis courts are visible on the north-eastern bank of the River Dour, behind Maison Dieu House, Dover on historic OS maps dating to the early 20th century. It appears to be linked via a footbridge to the bowling green which is located on the opposite bank of the river. It is likely that it was the grounds of the Dover Institute’s Tennis and Bowls clubs which was dissolved in 1907. Prior to this, in the 19th century, the Lawn Tennis Club provided facilities for players on grounds located on the south eastern side of Park Place. Though the courts are not labelled on the OS First Edition, the site is shown as being undeveloped at this time. By the end of the 19th century these grounds were, however, acquired by the Dover Electricity Company in 1981 and it is possible that the courts were re located to the site on the banks of the Dour at this point. By the time the fourth edition OS map was surveyed, the tennis court are no longer present. (1-5)

<1> Landmark, Ordnance Survey 1:2,500 map (OS 1st edition 1862-1875): Landmark Epoch 1 (Map). SKE30964.

<2> Landmark, 1907-1923, Ordnance Survey 1:2,500 map (OS 3rd Edition, 1907-1923): Landmark Epoch 3 (Map). SKE30966.

<3> Landmark, Ordnance Survey 1:2,500 map (OS 4th Edition, 1929-1952): Landmark Epoch 4 (Map). SKE30967.

<4> Lorraine Sencicle, 2014, The Dover Historian - Bowling in Dover (Website). SKE32355.

<5> Canterbury City Museum, CXXIX E XX (Digital archive). SKE30697.

Sources and further reading