Grand Shaft Barracks 


"The modern adaptation of the Western Heights for Military purposes commenced during the American War.  Previous to that time the inhabitants of Dover, foot and fancy free, were able to roam at will over these breezy hills, on which there was no object to break the rural character of except the 'Devil's drop of mortar,' for the Knights Templars' house had by that time been destroyed, and the foundations of the Church had not been uncovered.  The first Military works on this hill were but trenches and isolated blockhouses, with a miscellaneous collection of 72 heavy guns planted along the ridge commanding the approach from the sea.  These works did not bar the public from rambling over the Western Heights, and when Peace was made with America, these guns were left amidst the herbage, with flocks of sheep around them, forming a curious pastoral picture."  (J.B.J. 1907)

Wellington Basin
Commercial Quay and Grand Shaft Barracks

This photograph, taken towards the end of the 19th century, shows vessels moored alongside the Commercial Quay.  On the right can be seen Sharp's Commercial Quay Inn.

The buildings on the face of the cliff (see above roof of inn) are at the top of the gardens of properties in Snargate Street.  Some of these gardens are still maintained by their present owners, although almost vertical and on solid chalk!

The buildings on the top of the cliff are the former Grand Shaft Barracks, part of the Western Heights fortifications, built during the Napoleonic Wars. 

The Grand Shaft, a triple, spiral staircase in a brick shaft, connected the barracks to Snargate Street to provide rapid access to the harbour in case of invasion.  The idea of the triple staircase was thought to have been to provide separate access for "Officers and their ladies", "NCOs and their wives", and "Other Ranks and their women"!

"The Grand Military Shaft, an arched passage with steps, leading from the lower part of Snargate Street up to the Western Heights, was one of the conceptions of Sir Thomas Hyde Page, military engineer, the construction of which was commenced in 1779, but not completed until 1802.  The long arched passage, leading from the guard-house near the Wesleyan chapel, terminates at the bottom of a perpendicular shaft, up which there is a three-fold spiral flight of 140 steps, one section of the way up being for officers and ladies, one for 'women,' and one for soldiers.  From the top of the spiral flight there are 59 more steps, leading up into the barrack yard.  These steps are included amongst the rare features of Dover by excursionists, and, when they were first constructed, were so regarded by the townspeople and soldiers, bets being often made as to how quickly they could be climbed.  Mr. Leath, of Walmer, for a wager, rode his horse up these steps, in the year 1812.  A sentry is always mounted at the Snargate Street entrance of the Shaft, and a guard ready to be turned out in the adjoining guardroom.  This guard has been a familiar feature of this part of the street since the militant days of Napoleon Bonaparte."   (J.B.J. 1907)

It has recently been restored and opened to the public.   A new gate and guardroom have been built to replace the original which was demolished some years ago in the redevelopment of Snargate Street.  The Barracks have, however, been demolished.