Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A series of barracks were constructed around the curtain wall of the inner bailey of Dover Castle in the mid-18th century as a response to the perceived threat to Britain from the continent. This building, located in the north western corner of the inner bailey, was originally constructed as an officer’s accommodation block. It is built up against the medieval fabric of the curtain wall, which is located on its northern and western sides. It may lie within the footprint of a former medieval building Situated here, though there are no remains of this within the southern wall (main façade) which was likely built along a different line. Most of the buildings were abandoned as barracks by the 1870s and turned over to use as stores and offices, or left empty. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• BARRACKS (Post Medieval - 1740 AD to 1860 AD)
• STOREHOUSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1860 AD? to 1960 AD?)

Full description

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A series of barracks were constructed around the curtain wall of the inner bailey of Dover Castle in the mid-18th century as a response to the perceived threat to Britain from the continent. This building, located in the north western corner of the inner bailey, was originally constructed as an officer’s accommodation block. It is built up against the medieval fabric of the curtain wall, which is located on its northern and western sides. It may lie within the footprint of a former medieval building Situated here, though there are no remains of this within the southern wall (main façade) which was likely built along a different line. Most of the buildings were abandoned as barracks by the 1870s and turned over to use as stores and offices, or left empty.

The building is now used as the Education Centre. It retains an early staircase and partitions on part of ground and first floor. The round headed windows are a feature of officers barracks within the castle. A number of 19th-century fireplaces and wall-cupboards also remain on both floors. The first floor of the building on its eastern side is incorporated into this building. It has a reasonably preserved interior of historic note. (1-3) (summarised from sources)

<1> English Heritage, 2010, Inner Bailey, Dover Castle, Kent; Historic Buildings Report (Unpublished document). SKE31743.

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

<3> English Heritage, 2014, Dover Castle Conservation Management Plan Volume 2 Gazetteer (Unpublished document). SKE52105.

Sources and further reading

Related records