Ancient remains of historic castle under threat from too many visitors

18 November 2023 , 08:35

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Dane John Mound and Roman and medieval remains have been placed on a Risk Register (Image: PA)

The remains of a castle built during the time of William the Conqueror has been placed on a Risk Register due to erosion from having so many visitors.

Dane John Mound, a medieval motte-and-bailey castle and a popular tourist destination in Canterbury, Kent, is thought to have originally been built as a burial site during the Roman occupation of the city between the first and fourth centuries AD. During William the Conqueror's Norman invasion in 1066, the king ordered that a castle be built on the Dane John mound, which was protected on both sides by the earlier Roman defensive wall.

However, it was later abandoned in favour of a stone stronghold to the north of the city in 1123. Between 1790 and 1803, the old castle and Roman mound were remodelled into The Dane John Gardens – with the name thought to derive from a corruption of the French word "donjon", meaning 'keep' – and the Simmons memorial, erected in 1803 in honour of banker James Simmons for funding the park, was placed on top.

Erosion can be seen at the top of the steps up to the monument (PA)

But Historic England has now had to add it to its 'Risk Register' because of the footfall damaging both the archaeological integrity of the motte and causing erosion, which risks undermining the Grade II-listed Simmons memorial.

‌The public body, which cares for more than 400 buildings and monuments, says the number of visitors to the site has taken its toll and the body is now working with engineers from Canterbury City Council to protect the Mound, using money awarded to the local authority as part of the government's Levelling Up Fund.‌

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The historic site is one of 159 across the UK added to the Heritage at Risk Register 2023 which brings the overall total to 4,871. But‌ Historic England has also removed from that list 203 important buildings and monuments, which were at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate development after their futures were secured with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

‌Tom Foxall, Historic England Regional Director for London and the South East, said: “In the 25 years of the Heritage at Risk Register, huge progress has been made in saving irreplaceable historic sites, and this year is no different.

‌"Across the South East, we’re celebrating the successful restoration of a collection of large, complex buildings and structures, such as the Dockyard Church in Sheerness, along with numerous other special places that had been vulnerable for a long time. Thanks to strong partnership working and a strategic approach and vision, these places steeped in history now have a new and vital part to play for people today.‌

"Local communities are at the heart of finding solutions for heritage at risk and we are dedicated to supporting them so they can benefit from even more historic places being removed from the at risk Register.”‌

And Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “It is so heartening to see a number of significant heritage sites removed from the Heritage at Risk Register in the South East, and given a new lease of life as part of their local communities and places.‌

"Saving heritage at risk so that it can be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future, is core to our purpose, and we’re incredibly proud that the Heritage Fund has been able to support this important work to make this fantastic news possible.”

‌Canterbury City Council said it is working on proposals to protect Dane John Mound from further damage. ‌A spokesperson said: "Dane John Park is included in Levelling Up Fund money recently awarded to Canterbury City Council and the mound will be considered as part of this project.

‌"The city council's engineers and Historic England are working hand in hand together to do all they can to protect the mound and will continue to do so. ‌The city council has already shared its proposals for the work that is needed and more detailed proposals are being worked up. ‌Historic England will be at the heart of that process."

Paul Donald