Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The London to Dover turnpike was established in 1753 and the first toll house within Dover associated with this turnpike was located at the junction of London Road with Bridge Street. The toll gate and associated gate keepers cottage was demolished in 1855. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information)

Monument Types

• TOLL HOUSE (Demolished, Post Medieval - 1753 AD? to 1855 AD)

Full description

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The first two Turnpike Acts appertaining to Kent were passed in 1709 and 1711; these were applicable to the west of Kent. By the middle of that century, many other stretches of roads had been turnpiked including, in 1753, the Dover to Barham Downs part of the London road. The first tollhouse in Dover was opposite the present Eagle Inn on London Road that had long marked the boundary of the town. Indeed, it was here that the gallows were erected. (1) The Charlton toll gate and gate-keepers cottage were demolished in 1855. (2) The toll house is visible in this location on the Dover Tithe Map which dates to 1843 (3)

<1> Lorraine Sencicle, 2014, The Dover Historian - Turnpikes – an important part of Dover’s Road network (Website). SKE51695.

<2> Dover District Council, 2013, Dover District Heritage Strategy (Bibliographic reference). SKE31372.

<3> 1843, Tithe Map Dover 1843 (OS Card Reference). SKE50577.

Sources and further reading