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 near the north western corner of the inner bailey, was originally constructed as an accommodation block for enlisted men. Most of the buildings were abandoned as barracks by the 1870s and turned over to use as stores and offices, or left empty. Today it has been converted and is in use as a visitors toilet block. (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?)
• TOILET (Modern - 1960 AD to 2050 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 near the north western corner of the inner bailey, was originally constructed as an accommodation block for enlisted men. Most of the buildings were abandoned as barracks by the 1870s and turned over to use as stores and offices or left empty. Today it has been converted and is in use as a visitor’s toilet block.

The building is located immediately to the south east of the officer’s accommodation located in the north western corner of the inner bailey (now used as an education block) and its first floor is incorporated into that building. It is built up against the medieval fabric of the curtain wall, which is located on its northern side. The original internal layout at this level was largely destroyed when the building was converted into its current use and the surface finishes are modern. There is little of historic interest internally at ground floor level. (summarised from sources) (1-3)

<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 English Heritage, 2010, Inner Bailey, Dover Castle, Kent; Historic Buildings Report (Unpublished document).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 English Heritage, 2014, Dover Castle Conservation Management Plan Volume 2 Gazetteer (Unpublished document).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