Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

In response to the need for extra troop accommodation within Dover castle in the mid 18th century, a number of barracks were constructed to the south of the main Keep yard and just to the north west of Colton’s Gate, in an area of flat ground. These were redeveloped in the 19th century on a larger scale and were eventually demolished in the 1960’s. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information)

Monument Types

• BARRACKS (Demolished, Post Medieval to Modern - 1760 AD? to 1960 AD)
• OFFICERS QUARTERS (Demolished, Post Medieval to Modern - 1760 AD? to 1960 AD)

Full description

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Throughout the 18th century and the period of the Napoleonic Wars, huge sums were spent at the castle. J. P. Desmaretz, the engineer put in charge of creating ,many of the defences in Kent in this period, recognised the need for extra troop accommodation at Dover after a visit in 1756 and drew up plans to house an additional ‘one regiment and a half’. It is not entirely clear where these were situated but it is likely that they were positioned on the flat ground to the north west of Colton’s Gate in the middle bailey. The plans show that these buildings were a single storey, those for privates were divided into four rooms each holding 18 men. The Officers were more generously housed: four subalterns lived in two rooms. These 18th century barracks were fairly modest and in the 19th century they were replaced by buildings on a grander scale and with a greater capacity (likely similar to the Officers New Barracks located to the south). These barracks were demolished in 1965. summarised from sources (1-3)

The later version of these barracks is clearly visible on the 1957 OS Map of dover. (4)

<1> J. Coad, 2001, Dover Castle, The Key to England, A Conservation Statement (Unpublished document). SKE52142.

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 English Heritage, 2014, Dover Castle Conservation Management Plan Volume 2 Gazetteer (Unpublished document).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

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1957, Ordnance Survey national grid map (1940s-1960s) TR34SW & part of TR33NW - A (Map). SKE52143.

Sources and further reading

Related records