Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The 1st edition OS map (1865-72) shows an 'Old Guard House' at St Margaret's, believed to be related to the use of the area as a barracks in the 18th and early 19th century. The building is believed to still stand. The area is also shown as Barracks Bottom on the same map

Monument Types

• GUARDHOUSE (Post Medieval to Unknown - 1750 AD?)

Full description

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The 1st edition OS map (1865-72) shows an 'Old Guard House' at St Margaret's, believed to be related to the use of the area as a barracks in the 18th and early 19th century. The building is believed to still stand. The area is also shown as Barracks Bottom on the same map. (1)

It is known that 3 x 32-pounder guns were dispatched to St Margaret's Bay during the Napoleonic Wars. It is not known exactly where these were placed but the 1st edition map shows a site marked 'Old Battery' about 65m to the south-east of the Guard House and overlooking Ness Point (which may at one time have been called Battery Point). It is therefore possible that the original guard house served either the battery, or the barracks, or both. (2)

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1862-1875, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 1st Edition : 1862-1875 (Map). SWX11831.

<2> John A. Guy, 2013-, Verbal communication from John Guy, defence expert working in the Dover area (Verbal communication). SKE24831.

Sources and further reading