The Reawakening of Dover's Maison Dieu
The building reopened to the public in May 2025 after two years of major restoration work revealing the glorious Gothic interiors and once again welcoming people into its awe-inspiring spaces.
The Maison Dieu was founded in 1203 by Hubert de Burgh, the 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.
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.