Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

During a walkover survey of the area of Northfall Meadow in Broadlees Bottom, below the north-eastern defences of Dover Castle, the remains of a substantial in-filled ditch was located and may be readily equated with the line of an anti-tank ditch cut during the Second World War. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information).

Monument Types

• DITCH (anti-tank, Modern - 1939 AD? to 1946 AD?)

Full description

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Canterbury Archaeological Trust were engaged by Roy Porter of English Heritage to undertake a walkover survey of the area of Northfall Meadow in Broadlees Bottom, below the north-eastern defences of Dover Castle. A shallow linear depression, clearly representing a largely backfilled ditch, was identified. Running roughly north−south, this was traceable for a total distance of about 130m, extending in a slight curve between the base of the Horseshoe Bastion and Upper Road. As seen on the ground, the line of this in-filled ditch was generally about 8m across the top and up to 1m deep. Immediately adjacent to Upper Road, however, the backfilling had been less complete and for a distance of about 20m here the ditch appeared to be little more than half full. Again, it was about 8m wide and some 2m deep. Traces of an associated bank survived on either side. The junction of the ditch with Horseshoe Bastion is covered by an adjacent Type 28 concrete anti-tank pillbox designed to mount a 2pdr anti-tank gun. - summarised from report (1) Further info (2)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2013, Broadlees Bottom, near Dover Castle, Walkover survey report (Unpublished document). SKE31739.

<2> English Heritage, 2014, Dover Castle Conservation Management Plan Volume 2 Gazetteer (Unpublished document). SKE52105.

Sources and further reading

Related records