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 the Barracks Stores, located towards the north western side of the complex. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• STOREHOUSE (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 ancillary buildings was the Barracks Stores and the Barracks Wardens Quarters, located towards the north western side of the complex. In 1867, this structure was a large two storied large storehouse, with a single story Wood Store and an Engine House in the north eastern end. It is defined as a platform, although no walls are visible, with ruddy scarps 1.3m and 1m high on the south east and south west respectively. (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)

Many of the buildings of Grand Shaft Barracks are recorded in detail on a set of plans, mainly of the 1860s and 1870s, which were probably prepared to accompany the alterations and new building resulting from the recommendations of the Commission. The plan/elevation for the Stores and straw barn shows the interior layout of the building and a number of external features. (4)

<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 Report No 4: The Grand Shaft Barracks, 19th and 20th-century infantry barracks (Unpublished document).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.

<4> Office of Works, 1867, Hand-tinted plans and sections of barrack store number two and straw store at Western Heights (Plan). SKE51569.

Sources and further reading

Related records