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

The front of Constables Gateway, on the western outer curtain wall of Dover Castle, was protected by the outer moat and by a drawbridge that linked with a stone-built causeway leading to a small barbican. Beneath the drawbridge and causeway which leads through the gate was a caponier, constructed in the 1790’s. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• CAPONIER (Disused, Post Medieval to Modern - 1790 AD to 2050 AD)
• TUNNEL (Disused, Post Medieval to Modern - 1790 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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

The front of Constables Gateway, on the western outer curtain wall of Dover Castle, was protected by the outer moat and by a drawbridge that linked with a stone-built causeway leading to a small barbican. Beneath the drawbridge and causeway which leads through the gate was a caponier, constructed in the 1790’s. This is approached through a tunnel that begins within the outer bailey, on the eastern side of the gate. This tunnel may be part of a medieval sally-port system. The caponier is three storeys high and is built in and around the medieval abutment. The upper levels of the caponier were reached by stairs. Summarised from reports (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 English Heritage, 2014, Dover Castle Conservation Management Plan Volume 2 Gazetteer (Unpublished document).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