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

In 1860, the Defence Committee was of the opinion that the vicinity of the South Lines was the best site for new barracks. The construction of these barracks involved an north eastwards extension to the South Lines Ditch which was completed in the 1860's. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on availabe information)

Monument Types

• DITCH (Demolished, Post Medieval to Modern - 1860 AD? to 1945 AD?)
• GLACIS (Disused, Post Medieval to Modern - 1860 AD? to 1945 AD?)
• SCARP (Disused, Post Medieval to Modern - 1860 AD? to 1945 AD?)

Full description

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

Summarised from report:

In 1860, the Defence Committee was of the opinion that the vicinity of the South Lines was the best site for new barracks. The construction of these barracks involved a north eastwards extension to the South Lines Ditch which was completed in the 1860's. Although the ditch has been partially infilled, probably with rubble from the demolished barracks, its counterscarp revetment survives for almost the whole original length, from the South Military Road to the junction with the South Lines Ditch. The south western section curves to accommodate the 1860s caponier. The revetment has a slight batter and is carefully built in faced flintwork, with two string courses (of three courses each) and coping in red brick. The north east end is masked partially by a modern revetment of railway sleepers, before it is ramped down to the South Military Road at an angle of about 45 degrees. Beyond the counterscarp, the earthworks of the glacis are undamaged, comprising a gentle superior slope before the much steeper exterior slope, with a total vertical fall of 5.7m. There is an additional low bank on the crest of the glacis around the curving section of the counterscarp, into which is set a slit trench of C20th date. At the north east end, the glacis merges into the steep slop to the South Military Road; on the south west it joins the rampart of the South Lines which runs down towards the sea. (1)

A plan dating to 1860 shows the planned alterations to the South lines, including the north eastern extension to the ditch, the counterscarp revetment, glacis and the south parapet. (2)

<1> RCHME, 2001, The Western Heights, Dover, Kent. Report No 9: South Front Barracks. Later 19th and 20th-century barracks complex (Unpublished document). SKE17505.

<2> Captain E F Du Cane, 1860, Plans and Sections of fortifications at the Western Heights: proposals for the South Front (Plan). SKE51595.

Sources and further reading

Related records