Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Casemate Level is the earliest of the three levels of tunnels which encompass the Secret Wartime Tunnels at Dover Castle. The seven casemates were constructed between 1797 and 1798 and had a continued military use during the Second World War and into the Cold War. They survive in good condition.(location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• CASEMATE (Disused, Post Medieval to Modern - 1798 AD to 2050 AD)
• TUNNEL (Disused, Post Medieval to Modern - 1798 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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The earliest of the three levels of wartime tunnels is Casemate Level, which was constructed during the Napoleonic Wars. At this time the militia was permanently in occupation at the Castle; the construction of the casemates was instigated by the requirement for barracks. The use of such underground space was a revolutionary initiative at this time. The primary phase of construction includes the four smaller casemates to the west with upper floors, and three larger casemates to the east. North and south communication tunnels were also constructed, in addition to a small system of tunnels between the two groups of casemates and an access tunnel to the south which remains in use today. The casemates were brick lined by 1810 due to chalk falls. It was during World War II that Casemate Level played its most notable contribution in military history. From 1939 it was in use as a ‘Fortress Headquarters’ by the Army and Navy, controlling Naval vessels in the Straits of Dover
and deploying coastal artillery as well as anti-aircraft operations. Structurally the casemates were not altered at this time but were subdivided into smaller rooms to accommodate their new function. (summarised from sources) (1-2)

<1> English Heritage, 2014, Dover Castle Conservation Management Plan Volume 2 Gazetteer (Unpublished document). SKE52105.

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

Sources and further reading

Related records