Time Team - Shorncliffe Redoubt, Sir John Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe, Folkestone, Kent - Archaeological Evaluation and Assessment of the Results

Wessex Archaeology

The project was largely unsuccessful in the identification of structures dated to the Napoleonic period within the redoubt. It became clear that the Twiss maps were a combination of ‘as built’ and ‘as proposed’ and therefore many of the structures depicted may never have been constructed. It was, however, clear that the main redoubt structure comprising earthen ramparts matches the Twiss maps, with slight alterations. There has been considerable activity on the Site in later periods, and this has also been a factor in the removal and obscuring of earlier Napoleonic structures.

The project was successful in potentially identifying the manner in which the surrounding rampart was constructed, by the identification of a possible gabion within the bank make-up. This would have been used to hold the redeposited natural sand in place, creating a strong defence.

Later periods of activity were identified within the redoubt from the mid 19th century onwards, when the site became the residence of the camp commandant. The evaluation trenches and landscape survey identified the remains of a two-storey building (‘Redoubt House’) and associated formal gardens. It was clear that much of the rampart defence on the southern side had been removed to provide a clear vista from the house across the Channel.