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 Citadel, the main defensive fort of the Dover Western Heights. The earliest work on this fort dates to the last quarter of the 18th century and is some of the earliest works within the western heights overall. Today, some of the 19th century buildings within the fort, as well as some of the defensive works, have been adapted for use as a prison. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• FORT (Disused, Post Medieval to Modern - 1779 AD? to 1945 AD?)
• PRISON (Modern - 1956 AD? to 2018 AD?)

Full description

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

The citadel was first planned in the late 18th century. It was redesigned and almost completed between 1804 and 1815 but remained unfinished until 1853-5. It then developed over the next 100 years with changes to armaments and use, eventually becoming a barracks and a mobilisation centre. During the First World War it was equipped with an anti-aircraft gun. During the Second World War it was extensively used and fortified. It passed to the Prison Commissioners in 1954. (1-2)

From the National Heritage List for England:

When initially begun, the Citadel consisted of a large parade ground surrounded by store houses, barracks, magazines and an unrevetted defensive ditch. It was originally planned to arm the Citadel with forty-three 18 pounder guns, and 31 carronades. Water for the barracks was supplied via a well 130m in depth. Work in completing and revetting the ditches around the Citadel did not begin again until 1853 and also included the addition of flanking casemates and a two storey casemated barracks in the South Lines designed to accommodate an extra 500 men. (3)

A First World War wireless signal station is thought to have existed in the south-west corner of the garrison and Coastguard station at NGR Ref: TR 30437 40336. No remains appear tohave survived. (4)

<1> English Heritage, 2004, The Western Heights, Dover, Kent: Report No. 2: The Citadel (Unpublished document). SKE17690.

<2> Liv Gibbs, 2012, Built Heritage Conservation Framework for Dover Western Heights (Unpublished document). SKE17708.

<3> Historic England, National Heritage List for England (Index). SKE29372.

<4> Oxford Archaeological South, 2016, First World War Wireless Stations in England. (Bibliographic reference). SKE31551.

<5> Kent Defence Research Group, c. 1993, Kent Defence Research Group 'Fort Logs' (Unpublished document). SKE52251.

Sources and further reading

Related records