There were three blocks of cells, built on two terrace levels. A block (the first, level 1) was built in 1884 and used to house convicts. In 1901-8 there were delays in getting it ready for use for military prisoners. It was demolished in 1924. B block also on level 1 was in uise in 1884-1890s and military prisoners were transferred there in 1901. It was demolished in 1925. C block and solitary confinement was the last to be built on level 2. It was used throughout the prison's history and demolished in 1925. The bricks from the demolished cell blocks were transferred by a small light railway over Fax Hill Down and Northfall Meadow to be used in the Dover Garrison Accommodation below the Castle. Little evidence for the foundations of the cell blocks survives above ground. During an archaeological evaluation of the foundation trenches for the Nat. Trust Information Centre evidence for the foundations of A block were revealed. The cells were ranged either side of a central passageway and were 4ft wide by 6ft long (CAT, Keith Parfitt). (1)

A watching brief carried out during construction of the visitor centre discovered the remains of 'A' block being the footings of cells either side of a corridor.(2)

Corbet, E. E., 1991, Langdon Convict Prison, Military Prison and Langdon Barracks (Unpublished document). SKE6603.

Corbet, E. E., 1991, Langdon Convict Prison, Military Prison and Langdon Barracks (Unpublished document). SKe6603.

<1> Nicola Bannister, 1999, Langdon Cliffs Survey (Unpublished document). SKE6595.

<2> 2002, Arch Cant 122, 2002, p 354 (Article in serial). SKE54600.