Enjoy discovering hidden gems at the Maison Dieu
Three FREE special events are being held at The Maison Dieu (Dover Town Hall) as part of National Lottery Open Week.
Reflecting a Hidden Gems theme, the events will explore secret or little-known stories of the building, its collections and colourful 800-year-history.
The Maison Dieu’s team of talented Ambassador volunteers will take on a starring role on Saturday 7 March from 10am to 3.30pm, sharing some of their favourite stories of the building and its collections. These will range from fascinating insights into the building’s portraits and dazzling stained-glass, to WWII dancing, a carved statue of a saint and a rare medieval horn, which is still blown today!
Stories will be adapted for adults or children and there’s a fun opportunity to ‘get creative’ with Maison Dieu art and craft, or to dress-up as a king, queen or pilgrim, in fabulous costumes created by our Stitchers in Time volunteers. The day also includes an opportunity to explore the building’s hidden Victorian gaol.
Join Maison Dieu Engagement Officer, Martin Crowther, on Tuesday 10 March at 7pm in the medieval Stone Hall for a lavishly illustrated talk about ‘Forbidden Rooms and Buried Treasure’. If you’d like to discover what’s behind locked doors, under floorboards or chalked in inaccessible ceiling spaces, this is for you!
Maison Dieu Ambassadors will be on hand again, on Friday 13 March at 2pm, to share their favourite stories of The Mayor’s Parlour, a Victorian gem designed by Neo-gothic architect William Burges. Restored to its former glory with its intricate, gilded decorative scheme, it’s now a popular holiday property for The Landmark Trust.
Martin Crowther, Engagement Officer at the Maison Dieu, said: “The reawakening of the Maison Dieu was made possible thanks to a £4.27m grant from the National Lottery. Seeing this magnificent building open daily for the first time in its 800-year history is wonderful as we welcome visitors and residents through its doors.
“The Maison Dieu Ambassadors are a group of wonderful volunteers who really bring the building and its hosted events to life, and they’re looking forward to sharing many of its hidden gems with you.”
For further details on each event, and to book, see www.maisondieudover.org.uk
Notes
The National Lottery Open Week offers a nationwide thank you to National Lottery players to raise awareness for the fantastic heritage supported by them. To discover more exciting National Lottery Open Week events, see National Lottery Open Week - National Lottery Good Causes
The £10.5m reawakening of the Grade I Listed Maison Dieu has seen the restoration of internationally significant decorative schemes by the renowned Victorian neo-Gothic architect, William Burges, and a new street-level visitor entrance to the Connaught Hall, along with improved access throughout the building.
Project funders/partners include the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Wolfson Foundation, The Landmark Trust, Dover District Council, Dover Town Council, and the Dover Society.
Posted on 27 February 2026