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 site of Archcliffe Fort is thought to have originated as a late 14th century watchtower surrounded by a bank and ditch, later replaced by an artillery bulwark during the reign of Henry VIII. This in turn was replaced by the present fort in the mid 17th century. No evidence for the watchtower or the bulwark has been found so far.

Monument Types

• BULWARK (Artillery position, Medieval to Post Medieval - 1497 AD? to 1650 AD?)

Full description

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

The site of Archcliffe Fort (TR 34 SW 84) is thought to have originated as a late 14th century watchtower (TR 34 SW 634)surrounded by a bank and ditch, later replaced by an artillery bulwark during the reign of Henry VIII (TR 34 SW 635). This in turn was replaced by the present fort in the mid 17th century. No evidence for the watchtower or the bulwark has been found so far.(1)

From the National Heritage List for England:

The monument includes the surviving features of Archcliffe Fort, lying at the foot of Dover's Western Heights and forming part of the coastal defences of the town from at least the 16th century onwards.

The first fort, or bulwark, was constructed under Henry VIII in 1539 and 1540, although the initial fortification of the site may date back to the late 14th century. No trace of remains of these periods can be identified, although the evidence of early plans suggests that the Henrician defences included a pentagonal structure in the approximate position of the present western bastion. This was linked by a ditch to a gatehouse close to the site of the present eastern bastion. There were also buildings within the ditched enclosure.

<1> Victor Smith and Andrew Saunders, 2001, Kent's Defence Heritage (Unpublished document). SKE6956.

Sources and further reading