Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Most of the original ancillary structures, comprising stores, canteens, workshops, gardens etc. stood on terraces to the west of the main steps. Included within this group of ancillery buildings was an Armourer's and Tailor's Shop, approximately mid way up the slope. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• OFFICERS QUARTERS (Demolished, Post Medieval to Modern - 1805 AD? to 1960 AD?)
• SHOP (Demolished, Post Medieval to Modern - 1805 AD? to 1960 AD?)
• WORKSHOP (Demolished, Post Medieval to Modern - 1805 AD? to 1960 AD?)

Full description

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Summarised from report:

Most of the original ancillary structures, comprising stores, canteens, workshops, gardens etc. stood on terraces to the west of the main steps. Included within this group of ancillery buildings was an Armourer's and Tailor's Shop, approximately mid way up the slope. This building also contained a Warrant Officers Quarters. Nothing is visible on the surface but immediately to the south west is a ramped way, which led up to the buildings on the upper terraces: to buildings on the intermediate terrace: it is now defined by a scarp which has partially eroded over the site of the building itself. The opposite side of the way has a concrete revetment wall, probably of Second World War date, incorporating circular ceramic drains: the butt joint between the concrete and the brick revetment wall of the lower terrace is clear. Outside the south-eastern end, there is a short section of wall, 1.3m high, with a north-western return, faced internally with white tiles. This is another example of filling in between the original buildings, though its purpose is not known. (1)

The earliest plan which shows the completed Napoleonic works which were undertaken at the Grand Shaft Barracks dates to 1810. (2) A later plan which dates to 1861, immediately prior to the 1860's scheme of works which were undertaken at the barracks site, gives further detail of the buildings constructed during the Napoleonic works, including lables of specific buildings. (3)

<1> RCHME, 2000, The Western Heights, Dover, Kent. Report No 4: The Grand Shaft Barracks, 19th and 20th-century infantry barracks (Unpublished document). SKE17499.

<2> Major W H Ford, Royal Engineers, 1811, Plan Shewing the Appropriation of the Ordnance Lands on the Western Heights Dover 1811 (Map). SKE51523.

<3> Unknown, 1861, Dover, General Plan of the Western Heights Barracks (Plan). SKE51541.

Sources and further reading

Related records