Summarised from report:

Between 1860 and 1870 a canteen and recreational institute (alongside a variety of other structures) was constructed on the rising ground to the south of the casemated barracks at the South Front Barracks. It was built probably in compliance with recommendations contained in a report of 1861 by the Royal Commission on the Condition of Barracks and Hospitals. The establishment was intended to provide both basic provisions and respectable off duty entertainment for the troops; the south western half contained a Canteen, comprising tap room with a stage, a bar and a coffee bar, while the other end contained both a reading room and a recreation room. It was built with grey stock brick and faced with red brick. (1)

A plan dating to 1897 shows the structure located on a terrace between the casemated barracks and the married soldiers quarters. (2) Another, later plan (dating to 1927) shows the interior features of the buildings and shows that it faced south east and was a single storey hall fenestrated for seven bays, with an additional two storey bay on each providing married accommodation and a south east facing veranda. (3)

<1> RCHME, 2001, The Western Heights, Dover, Kent. Report No 9: South Front Barracks. Later 19th and 20th-century barracks complex (Unpublished document). SKE17505.

<2> Colonel Kirkwood, 1898, Ordnance Survey town plan of Dover: map showing South Front barracks and a nearby hospital. (Plan). SKE51596.

<3> Royal Engineers, 1929, Hand-tinted copy of plans and sections of the Regimental Institute in the South Front Barracks at Western Heights (Plan). SKE51598.