The Maison Dieu

The magnificent Grade I-Listed Maison Dieu (Dover's Town Hall) reopens on 10 May 2025 after two years of major restoration work. It will be permanently open to the public for the first time in its rich 800-year history.

Attraction Dover

Where

Biggin Street
Dover
Kent
CT16 1DL

Useful info

  • Coach parties welcome
  • Family-friendly
  • On-site parking (charges may apply)
  • Visitor toilet/s
  • Conference venue
  • Food and drink on site
  • Licensed
  • Wedding venue
  • Public transport nearby
  • Off-site parking (charges may apply)

Admission

Free entry

Contact

The Maison Dieu’s opening times will be:

  • Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3.30pm
  • Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm

For all enquiries, please email maison.dieu@dover.gov.uk or visit the website www.maisondieudover.org.uk

The Reawakening of Dover's Maison Dieu

The building reopens on 10 May 2025 revealing the glorious Gothic interiors and once again welcoming people into its awe-inspiring spaces.

  • There will be a varied programme of public events throughout the year.
  • The various flexible spaces are available for private hire for weddings and other events - please contact the team to find out more.

What's inside?

The grand Stone Hall was built in about 1300. Monarchs used it as a meeting place and the royal household lodged here when the King was at Dover Castle. Today, it houses fine paintings and an impressive collection of arms and armour. Huge stained-glass windows depict notable historic events.

The Connaught Hall, designed by Victorian architects Ambrose Poynter and William Burges, was built as an assembly room and opened in 1883. It has been used for a wide range of events, from dances and concerts to election counts, beer festivals and even wrestling bouts. 

A Council Chamber was added to the building in the 1860s. The stained-glass windows depict kings and noblemen and there is a rare sun burner in the middle of the ceiling which provided gas light to the chamber while allowing fumes to escape.

The Mayor's Parlour was designed by William Burges in the neo-Gothic style and includes an impressive painted ceiling with stencilled birds and flowers and animal designs around the walls. This is now a holiday let with the Landmark Trust.

 

An intricate gold and painted ceiling
The colourful Connaught Hall ceiling designed by the great Victorian architect and designer William Burges, hidden for years by layers of grey paint, has been restored to its former glory.

Outside

The famous Zeebrugge Bell, presented to Dover by the King of the Belgians in 1918 to commemorate the First World War Zeebrugge Raid, hangs at the front of the building.

Next door is the Grade II*-Listed Maison Dieu House, built in 1665 as the residence of the Agent Victualler. It is now the offices of Dover Town Council.

History

The Maison Dieu was founded in 1203 by Hubert de Burgh, the then Constable of Dover Castle, Earl of Kent and Justiciar of England, to provide hospitality for pilgrims travelling to the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury, and for the care of wounded and destitute soldiers.

In the eight centuries since, the hall has fulfilled many and diverse functions – from a military store to a council chamber, a gaol to a concert hall and from 1949 to 1989 it housed Dover Museum.

In 1899, Guglielmo Marconi’s wireless (radio) technology was successfully demonstrated in front of a packed audience, with the first Cross-Channel radio message transmitted to France via a tall mast erected on the Maison Dieu’s medieval tower.

Impressive flint fronted Gothic exterior of Maison Dieu
The impressive exterior of the Maison Dieu fronting on to Ladywell in Dover.
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