Scheduled MonumentsEnglandCanterbury city walls

Canterbury city walls

England
List entry 1003554
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Canterbury city walls is a substantial circuit of medieval fortification surrounding the historic centre of Canterbury in Kent. The walls were constructed primarily during the late twelfth and thirteenth centuries, built upon foundations that often utilised earlier Roman stonework from the fourth-century defensive circuit that had previously encircled the Roman city of Durovernum. The surviving sections, notably the western and northern portions, comprise rubble-built masonry with an outer face of ashlar blocks, punctuated by several towers and gates which have been substantially rebuilt and modified through subsequent centuries. The walls remain among the most extensive surviving medieval urban fortifications in England and continue to define the topography of Canterbury's ancient core.

Canterbury city walls is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1003554. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Canterbury city walls?

Canterbury city walls is a substantial circuit of medieval fortification surrounding the historic centre of Canterbury in Kent. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1003554.

Who is responsible for protecting Canterbury city walls?

Canterbury city walls is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1003554.

What other scheduled monuments are near Canterbury city walls?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Bowl Barrow 350M E.S.E. of Capel farm in Mounts Wood (7.8 km), Anglo-Saxon barrow field and prehistoric linear earthwork on Barham Downs (8.2 km), Bowl barrow, the easternmost of six in Eggringe Wood (8.9 km).

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