Dover in the
19th Century
 Nineteenth
Century Defences
In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Dover became
a garrison town heavily defended against the threat of French invasion.
At first earthen batteries were built along the seafront
and across the Western Heights of Dover to supplement the limited protection
offered by the medieval castle against cannon and shells.
In 1804, with invasion expected at any time, a massive
programme of defensive building in stone and brick began on the Western
Heights creating two forts and deep brick-lined ditches.
A unique 140ft triple staircase, the Grand Shaft, linked
the town to the forts.
Victorian Dover
 The
nineteenth century was a period of great change for Dover.
The coming of the railways and trams,
the redevelopment of the harbour on a massive
scale, the growth of the cross channel passage and the expansion
of local industries led to a rapid growth in the size of the town.
Between 1801 and 1901 the population increased by 600 percent.
Attempts were made to develop the town as a seaside resort
through the provisions of a pleasure pier, ice rink, bathing machines
and impressive seafront crescents of hotels and apartments.
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