During work to the main drainage system of Canterbury in 1868 the city engineer, James Pilbrow, observed remains of the Roman Theatre at the north end of Castle Street. These remains comprised of a very heavy foundation and paving of stones, 15cm and 20cm thick. A well was also seen in the side of which a bottle-shaped vesseal of Roman pottery and coin. Further foundations were 3.96m wide and went down to the solid gravel 3.66m and held together with a very hard mortar.

An observation was made in 1987 at the junction of Castle Street and Watling Street during the laying of a gas main. A record was made of fragments of the Roman theatre. Parts of the outer curtain walls were recorded, although the restricted width of the excavated trench made interpretation of other masonry remains difficult to undertake.

Pilbrow, J., 1871, Discoveries made during excavations at Canterbury in 1868 (Serial). SKE30226.

Andrews, G., 1985, An Assessment. Gazetteer of Excavations. Prehistoric, Belgic and Roman Excavations (Monograph). SKE30006.

Bennett, P. & Bowen, J., 1987, Watling Street-Castle Street (Article in serial). SKE30816.