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

Constables bastion, which is located towards the northern end of the western side of the castle, was constructed in around 1800 and was designed to cover the approach to Constable’s Gate and to provide enfilading (flanking or sideways fire) along the west side of the castle. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on availabel information)

Monument Types

• BASTION (Post Medieval to Modern - 1800 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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

Constables bastion, which is located towards the northern end of the western side of the castle, was constructed in around 1800 and was designed to cover the approach to Constable’s Gate and to provide enfilading (flanking or sideways fire) along the west side of the castle.

It is a very large blunt ended structure with a broadly rectangular plan and the main armament positions faced north to cover the approach road to the gateway. There survive the eroded remains of a parapet, fire step and gun positions on the long north-west side of the bastion while below this there are the earthwork remains of a covered way which provided firing positions for infantry. After the bastion had lost its military function towards the end of the 19th century a tennis court was laid out on top and in 1911 a pedestrian bridge was constructed to connect the bastion with St Mary’s Tower and allow private access for tennis parties. 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 English Heritage, 2014, Dover Castle Conservation Management Plan Volume 2 Gazetteer (Unpublished document).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