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The Royal Military Canal is a fortification constructed between 1804 and 1807 as a defensive measure against the threat of French invasion during the Napoleonic Wars. This section of the canal, extending from Honeypot Cottage to West Hythe Dam in Kent, forms part of the broader linear earthwork that runs for approximately 28 miles across the Romney Marsh and Walland Marsh areas. The canal was designed as an anti-tank obstacle and defensive line, featuring a substantial ditch with an associated bank that would have provided cover for defending troops. The structure represents a significant example of early 19th-century military engineering and remains substantially intact, preserving the landscape modifications undertaken during this period of national defence.
Royal Military Canal, Honeypot Cottage to West Hythe Dam is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1005113. View the official record →
The Royal Military Canal is a fortification constructed between 1804 and 1807 as a defensive measure against the threat of French invasion during the Napoleonic Wars. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1005113.
Royal Military Canal, Honeypot Cottage to West Hythe Dam 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 1005113.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Early medieval flood defence at Botolph's Bridge, West Hythe (2.1 km), Dymchurch Redoubt (3.2 km), Eastbridge Church (3.7 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Royal Military Canal, Honeypot Cottage to West Hythe Dam's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Royal Military Canal, Honeypot Cottage to West Hythe Dam stands on Wealden Group, bedrock that formed in the Barremian. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone and sandstone.