Home Page

Abbots Walk - When the Buckland housing estate was laid out soon after the First World War it was at first suggested that the new streets should be given the names of local notables.  Miss L. Bamford a member of the housing committee proposed however that they should commemorate the pilgrims who in the middle ages passed through Dover in their hundreds to and from Canterbury. This suggestion was adopted and the streets were given names from Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales” each being the name of one of the pilgrims whose story appears in Chaucer’s work.

Adelaide Crescent - One of numerous streets on the corporations Buckland Valley housing estate which were to commemorate the part they played in the 1939-45 war and the fact that they, in common with the whole free world had taken such an interest in the wartime fortunes of Dover the front line town.

Adrian Street - Once named Upwall or Above-Wall, the latter name being used in the Vestry books of St. Mary’s church as far back as 1639. It Was probably because the Street was formed on ground on the hill above a wall, which had been built to strengthen the face of the cliff just below; this wall was exposed to view when some Snargate Street premises were being altered; or the name may have been given it because the street was above the wall of the ancient Town, parts of the old wall being from time to time exposed to view, and showing those of this generation where the boundary of their Town was. The hill was re-named Adrian Street to mark the spot where once stood Adrian Gate, one of the many gates of the town. How Adrian Gate got it’s name is not easy to answer.  It is certainly not an indication as some have asserted that the Romans built the walls.  The gate was built at the same time as Snar Gate in 1370.

Albany Place -  This place was arranged and built upon by Mr. Adcock about the time that the Duke of Albany came to visit his brother the Duke of Connaught, who was stationed in Dover. It was the builder’s way of  honouring two of Her Majesty’s sons.

Albert Road - This road was planned when the Prince Consort died (1861) and named in his honour. The property belongs to the government department called “Woods” and “Forests” and let by them in building leases.

Alberta Way -  The housing committee appointed to deal with naming of the new streets being created on the Buckland Valley and Green Lane Farm Estates in the year 1945 recommended names associated with the Empire which has sent frequent food parcels for distribution in the town and money donated to local funds during the war. Alberta being the province of north-west Canada gave its name to this street. 

Albion Place - Which has now disappeared was a spacious court opening of Chapel Place, now in turn about to pass into oblivion.  Nearby stood a public house called the “Albion” later re-named the “Carpenters Arms” and the builder chose the name Albion.

Alexandra Place - Princess Alexandra daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark married the Prince of Wales (afterwards King Edward VII) in 1863 about ten years before the houses in this road were built.

Alfred Road - Development of the street began in the last years of the 19th century it is not sure whether it was decided to continue the practice of naming the streets after famous Kings of Saxon days or whether the Alfred had more prosaic origins.

Alma Place - Was the original name for a row of cottages, which later became merged into the eastern part of Charlton Green and have since disappeared completely.  The cottages were built at the time of the Crimean War when the Battle of Alma was in everyone's mind.

Anselm Road - Anselm was an Archbishop of Canterbury who was in conflict with William Rufus son of the Conqueror on the question of ecclesiastical rights.  Exiled for a time he regained power under Henry I. and died at Canterbury. He was canonised in 1494.

Approach Road - Was at first considered part of Manor Road, but when the inconvenience and confusion caused by this arrangement became apparent a few years before the First World War, the houses in Manor Road were re-numbered and Approach Road was given a name of its own which it took from a pair of cottages built in the approach to Manor Road.

Archcliffe Road. On 30th August 1878 a letter was received from the Royal Engineers office stating that the War Department was completing the names of the roads at the Heights, and as there appears no distinct name for that piece of road past Archliffe Fort it was suggested to call it Archcliffe Road or Archcliffe Avenue. On September 6th it was agreed that it was to be called Archcliffe Road. The headland was called Archcliffe point owing to its leading up to Arch Cliff which we now call Shakespeare Cliff.     

Armourer’s Walk - Named after the armours that made the suits of armour for the Knights in the Middle Ages. 

Arthur’s Place - War damage has obliterated this and a number of other narrow streets in the St. James Street area.  It was another of the local public places to which a famous Lord Warden Arthur Wellesley Wellington gave his name.

Astley Avenue -  This street commemorates Dr. E. F. Astley, a prominent Dover citizen of the 19th century who gave the town the organ in Connaught Hall and was chairman of the original committee responsible for laying out the first part of Connaught Park. He was Mayor 1858-9 during which time he opened at his own expense an Isolation Hospital at Edred Road Tower Hamlets.

Astor Avenue - Was opened in 1923 by the Hon. J. J. Astor M. P. for Dover linking Tower Hamlets with Elms Vale and this was constructed at a cost of £14,000.

Ashen Tree Lane -  So called from a large ash tree, which for many years flourished in the garden adjoining.

Athol Terrace - A Scottish lady, Mrs. Macintyre, was living at East Cliff when these houses were built. She became the purchaser of No. 3 and suggested the name for the whole row, having the well-known Blair Athol of her native land in her mind at the time.

Buckland Crescent - After the largest city and capital of New Zealand .

Baker’s Alley - From a Dover Express dated 1952 it makes reference to this alley which is the passage leading from Tower Street to Tower Hill.  Originally it was called Slip Alley, and in the late 1800’s a widow came to live in the end house and opened her front room as a sweet shop. All the children knew her as “old granny Baker” hence the name.        

Baker’s Close - Was once the name of the steep ascent now known as Priory Hill.  The name is a corruption of Bake House Close being part of the close or field of nine acres given originally to the monks of the Priory to establish a bakery and on this hill was a bake-house.

Balfour Road - This road was laid out just before the end of the last century and although at that time Mr. Balfour had not yet became Prime Minister he was already a well-known politician having been president of the Local Government Board and Chief Secretary for Ireland.

Barton Road - The road which in olden times passed behind Barton Farm was commonly described as “the back o’ Barton.” It was a narrow crooked lane, which the parish authorities at various times slightly improved, because before the making of the turnpike road and the building of Buckland Bridge, this was the route of the coaches, road wagons, and other traffic to Canterbury and London.   

Bartholomew Street - This street is built near to the spot, which used to be known as “Bartholomew Fields” and at that time a “Bartlemy Fair” was held there until 1830.  About 1152 a House of Mercy for lepers was founded and dedicated to St. Bartholomew and placed in these “fields,” and when houses were built and the foundation dug in what is now the London Road just beyond St. Bartholomew’s Church, many human bones were found which were no doubt those of lepers and that this portion of ground was the burying place of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.  

Beach Street - The piece of ground on which this street is built was not many years ago the beach where the children living down the pier played. They called it the “ Plain Beach ” as it adjoined a portion of ground called the Chapel Plain; the name lingering from the days when the Chapel dedicated to “Our Lady of Pity” (and sometimes called “Our Lady of Arcliffe”) was near by. This Chapel was destroyed by a gale in 1576. Before the coming of the railways the seaward side of the streets contained a pilots look-out and ship building yards.  Townsend Battery also stood here.

Beaconsfield Road - This road was planned and built by a Conservative builder named Tucker and called after the famous Tory Leader - Disraeli - Lord Beaconsfield.

Beaufoy Road and Terrace - So called after the late Mr. C. E. Beaufoy, chairman of the corporation housing committee at the time these streets were laid out and Mayor in 1919.

Beaumont Terrace - This is one of the numerous terraces in Folkestone Road, which were given distinctive names when the road was being developed, piecemeal and consecutive numbering was not possible. This terrace is named after Baron Beaumont, who bought “Westmount” and all the land between it and the railway with the intention of founding a monastery.

Becket’s Walk - An appropriate reference to Thomas Becket amid the surrounding streets all named after pilgrims in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

Bench Street - There are very great differences of opinion about the origin of this name.  Some say that it is called from a bench, which was placed near the turning into Snargate Street and called the “Penniless Bench” where beggars there went to congregate. Other people say that there was a bench in the Tower of St. Nicholas (which Tower remained standing in Bench Street till 1800.) And they affirm that “The Bench” was the Customs Tax building (till 1796) and was a meeting place for gossips, it was also used for a place of meeting for merchants to transact business, pay the Kings dues etc. so that a bench had existed thereabouts for many years and was sufficient reason for the choice of the name when the street was formed.  It was widened and thereby much improved in 1837 when the shops were pulled down and built up again in their own back gardens. Before that time the street was very narrow.

Beresford Road - This road, which joins Common Lane River, is named after Admiral Charles William de la poer Beresford a famous admiral who was in his hey-day at the time the road was laid out.  He commanded the Channel Fleet in 1907.

 Pearks Stores & Hatton's in Biggin Street.

Biggin Street - Where Cannon Street ends and Biggin Street begins there was a house and into the wall a stone had been inserted to record the fact that “Here stood Biggin Gate taken down by order of the corporation 1762.”  The name Biggin and the meaning of it has never been satisfactory explained.  So all we can say for certain is that the street took it’s name from the old gate of the town, which stood there.  The street ends at Maison Dieu now used as the Town Hall.  It was erected in the time of King John by Hubert de Burgh as a house of rest for pilgrims passing to and fro.  It was suppressed by King Henry VIII and in the reign of Queen Mary was converted into a Victualling Office for the Royal Navy and was so used until 1830 when it was transferred to the Board of Ordnance who in 1863 sold it to the Dover Corporation.  In 1859 the restoration of the building began and finished, and was used for Municipal purposes. While it remained the Victualling Office, the manager of the agent lived at the house adjoining and one of the quays was set apart for ships employed for Victualling purposes.  In 1883 great additions were made to the original building at an enormous expense a new prison was built on the Ladywell side of the Maison Dieu in 1867. 

Black Horse Lane - This lane was the original name for Tower Hamlets Road. The change of name was made in 1865. Here stood a turn-pike, which of course disappeared when the Turn-Pike Act was repealed.  The Black Horse Inn stood at the lower corner and was a reminder of the public executions, which took place on the rising ground facing Bridge Street.  The last execution there was in August 1822 of a young man convicted of robbery at Margate. The houses in this road which, have taken the place of wild flowers were built on the site of some brickfields belonging to Farbrace and Winthrop who in those days discovered that there was suitable clay to be got to the lane and set to work to make bricks instead of importing them from a distance.

Blenheim Square - Was in the Pier district and was one of the thoroughfares which disappeared in connection with the Pier Improvement Scheme of the early part of this century and the construction of the viaduct.  It took it’s name from a cannon, which stood in the square.  The Cannon a trophy from the Crimea was a gift to Dover from the Officers and crew of H.M.S. Blenheim who captured it in Hango in 1855.  Before that date the space was known as Red Pump Square because a red pump stood there.  The pump is indicated on a map of 1737.

Blutcher Street - This is another name, which has now disappeared from local directories. Blucher Street was one of the rows of old property demolished to make way for the Durham Hill development.  It was built early in the last century and named after General Blutcher who was staying at the Ship Hotel in Dover when peace was declared in 1814.

Boston Rise - The first alphabetically of the streets on Buckland Valley, which take their names from cities of the United States of America.

Bowling Green Hill - In 1834 there used to be a very good bowling green in the area where the Durham Hill flats now stand.  The greens were kept up by the subscriptions of the elite of the town and the officers of the garrison. 

Branch Street - Before this little street was built between Peter Street and Bridge Street a footbridge at that point crossed a “branch” of the river.

Bridge Street - Has probably been so-called since 1829 when the brick bridge was built across the Dour. The road formerly crossed by a ford, although there was a wooden foot-bridge for pedestrians. But the road is a very old one, part of an ancient road from Charlton Bottom to Whinless Down and Hougham.

Brisbane Way - Brisbane Australia, was founded as a station for British convicts in 1824, it was named in honour of the British administrator Thomas Brisbane then governor of the neighbouring colony of New South Wales.

Brook Street - Now swallowed up by the enlargement of Dover Engineering Works this short cul-de-sac was a turning off Colebran Street. It got it’s name from it’s proximity to the Dour sometimes called not disrespectfully a brook. The primitive Methodists had their first meeting place in a cow shed in Brook Street before they moved to the Peter Street Chapel in 1860.

Brookfield Avenue - This, like Brookfield Place appears to have taken its name from Brookfield House on the east side of the river.  This house built as a new parsonage for Buckland but never used for that purpose it was probably so-named because it stood close to the river on land, which anciently was glebe.

Brookfield Place - When the houses in this street were built the River Dour flowed through fields nearby.

Buckland Avenue - According to Hasted the Kent historian Buckland, formerly spelt  “Bockeland” took it’s name from two Saxon words-boc or book and land meaning that it was land held by charter or writing.

Bulwark Hill - This name has a very obvious meaning the bulwarks on the east side of Archcliff Fort being situated on the hill.

Bulwark Street - Derives its name from the tower or bulwark built by Sir John Clark the Master of the Maison Dieu to guard the old Paradise Harbour..

Bunkers Hill - Appears to have taken its name from an American district near Charlestown where the British had a victory on June 17th 1775 in the American War of Independence. But the train of circumstances, which brought the name to Dover, is obscure.

Bushy Ruff - Modern purists insist upon spelling the name of this part of Alkham Valley on the Borough boundary “Bushy Rough” But old maps all give the spelling “ Ruff ” a “rough” or “ruff” was a common and though this would hardly be a suitable description for the well-watered valley, it could apply to the higher ground of River Minnis above.  It is said that the name was given to the locality about the end of the 18th century by a man who dammed the further of the two lakes and built a paper mill there as well as a house for himself on the higher ground.

Byllan Road - This is a comparatively new name although the road itself has been in existence for half a century or more. Until a few years ago this street and it’s continuation on the other side of Lewisham Road was called South Road. Owing to the confusion with South Road Tower Hamlets a change was made and this part of the street between Lewisham Road and Valley Road was given the name of a terrace of houses, which flank the south side.  The terrace itself is another of those to which the builder the late Mr. Fred Lewis gave the names of members of his family - in this case Bill and Ann.  The name of the street should therefore be pronounced “Billan.”

Byron Crescent - When the Buckland Valley housing estate was laid out after the Second World War it was necessary to choose a considerable number of new names. One idea was to have a “poet’s corner” in the north west part of the valley. Although this proposal was not fully carried out several of the streets on this part of the estate are named after famous poets.

Cambridge Terrace - This was built in 1856, and though the old Duke of Cambridge did not live in Cambridge House at the corner of Liverpool Street, yet he was a very well known visitor to Dover and thought worthy of having his name handed down to posterity.

Camden Crescent - The Marquis of Camden was Lord Lieutenant of the County of Kent in 1840 when this Crescent was begun to be built and his name was given to it as a mark of respect he being at the time a member of the Harbour Board.

Cannon Street - Thought by some to be mis-spelt because they considered it was named after the Canon of St. Martin-le-Grand in the Market Square. Although there was a cannon ward in the earliest days of the corporation ancient documents refer to the street as the King’s Highway.  It was more likely that the street derived it’s name from Captain Henry Cannon during the commonwealth who owned property in the street.

Caroline Place - This is one of the streets, which has disappeared as the result of war damage, and the subsequent clearance of the Stembrook area through which it led to the Tanyard.  It was named after Queen Caroline whom Dover strongly supported in her quarrel with King George IV from whom she was estranged.  When Caroline landed in Dover in June 1820 en-route for London to assert her rights and face false accusations of infidelity, there was such a gathering on the beach that she had to seek shelter in the York Hotel there was so much excitement among the general public about her, some taking her part and some speaking against her that Mr. Edward Thompson who was the Mayor at the time had to read the riot act. 

Carolina Walk - Named after the American states North and South Carolina and to honour their American friends.

Castle Avenue - Was laid out towards the end of the last century on land which had long been part of the Dover Castle estate-and sometimes the camping ground of Hostile forces who, here, were out of bowshot of the Castle.  

Castle Hill - Was built as a military road in 1797.  The earlier Castle Hill had run from the top of St. James Street through extensive shrubbery at the foot of the hill and then by way of what is now known as the Zig-Zag.

Castle Street - It is quite surprising to find that no road or even lane existed here before 1830. The old route to the Castle and Deal was via St. James Street. Castle Street was mostly constructed between 1830 and 1835 but was not opened into the Market Square until 1837 after a Parliamentary Act had been granted to purchase the stables and yard of the Antwerp Hotel, which barred the way.

Castlemount Road - At first the houses in this road were called Castlemount Cottages and they have more interest than the name itself which was taken from Castlemount House built in 1876 was a house, a school and now once again used for that purpose.  The twenty-four cottages in Castlemount Road were erected for the Dover Cottage Building and Improvement society of which the Rector of Buckland (the Rev. S. Tennison Mosse) was secretary.  This society was based on the model of one founded by the Prince Consort at Windsor to improve the dwellings of the labouring poor.

Caves Court - As an alleyway this court was shown in local directories until within a year or two of the last war and still exists but not many in Dover would be able to give a direction to it.  This is an opening in Worthington Street, which allows rear access.  At one time there were six little cottages situated here. Caves Court is another instance of an owner giving his name to a row of cottages.  Mr. William Cave was a watchmaker and jeweller who in the 1870's had a business in Biggin Street and Caves Court was at the rear of his shop.

Catherine Place - Who the fair lady was after whom this place was named has never been discovered.  In 1795 the Dover Workhouse as it was called at the time was built in this place (now Buckland Hospital ) as the Union for Dover and adjacent villages.  Sometimes the Place is called Saint Catherine’s Place.

Chamberlain Road - When the Town Council built the Astor Avenue estate between the wars they followed to some extent the procedure, which a private builder the late Sir William Crundall had adopted in naming nearby streets after Conservative politicians.  In this case it was Joseph Chamberlain who started as a liberal and holding offices under Gladstone subsequently became an active Liberal Unionist and served under Lord Salisbury as Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Chapel Hill - Lying at the foot of the hill on the west side of London Road Chapel Hill occupies part of the land believed at one time to have been within the grounds of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital for Lepers.  At the suppression of the monasteries, not one stone was left upon another at this hospital but it’s chapel is supposed to have been on the green mount behind London Road an area, which has long been known as Chapel Mount.

Chapel Lane - Until 100 years or so ago this lane was known as Grubbin's Lane.  Apart from providing a rear access to the premises on either side of it’s entrance in Bench Street the lane at that time contained only one residence that occupied by a Mr. Grubbin.  The north-west corner house long occupied by Messrs. John Lukey was the vicarage for St. Mary’s Church, having been purchased by the parishioners in 1754 for their Minister the Rev. William Byrch. The house on the other corner was Priory property and was sold in 1846 for the remainder of a 500 year lease granted in 1660 at a peppercorn rent.  The lane changed it’s name some time after the Unitarian Chapel was built in Adrian Street in 1820. 

Chapel Street and Chapel Place - Appear like Chapel Lane to date as far as name is concerned from the building of the Unitarian Chapel to which they all led from different directions.

Charlton Avenue - In ancient times there was a manor of Charlton attached to the Barony of Chilham. Doomsday Book says-Ralph de Sanfare holds one manor as a prebend called "Cerlentone."

Chaucer Crescent - Another of the roads in “poet’s corner” and one, which was particularly, appropriate since Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales” provided the names for the streets in the older part of Buckland Estate. His remains were buried in Westminster Abbey and his tomb formed the beginning of what is now known as the “poet’s corner.”

Cherry Tree Lane -Avenue - Named after the Cherry Tree Inn, which, in 1814, was the only house between the Black Horse (Tower Hamlets Road), and Buckland Bridge. In the garden of the inn was a very fine cherry tree.

Chevalier Road - Just around the corner in Elms Vale Road is Chevalier House, which was built in the early days of this century a year or two before the road was laid out.  It seems reasonable therefore to assume that the road took it’s name from the house but whether there was any particular significance in it we do not know.

Chilton Avenue - Like Chilton Way makes use of the ancient name, which applied to the land at the Dover end of Alkham Valley and was used in Chilton Farm from which the water tumbles down a waterfall before going under the road to Bushy Ruff.

Chisnall Road - Was so-named by the late Mr. Pope a Folkestone builder who began the development of this street off Lower Road River but who he chose that name or its significance is not known.

Church Road - At Maxton was so named when this area began to develop at the end of the last century and St. Martin’s Church was built to serve the new area.  The name was chosen despite the fact that there then existed a Church Street a Church Court and a Church Place in the centre of the town.    

Church Street - It is believed was laid out after the demolition of St. Peter’s Church, remains of which have been found under the buildings on the north side of the Market Square. The land was sold by authority of Queen Elizabeth in 1590, by the Mayor of Dover. The proceeds were to be devoted to the improvement of the harbour, but the Mayor left the town secretly without settling up with the harbour authorities, so that the ill-fated harbour suffered another set-back. The street was made famous by the licensee of the Star Inn, Mr. Thomas Longley, who weighed 46 stone and had a chest measurement of 86 inches. He died in 1904. The last time he went to London he had to travel in the guard’s van because he could not get through the carriage door.

Churchill Road - Unlike Churchill Street which was re-named (formerly Paul's Street) after Lord Randolph Churchill.  Churchill Road is believed to have taken it’s name from the poet whose grave is in Cowgate Cemetery.  The probability is increased by the fact that the first house in Maxton more recently known as Cosworth Manor was originally named Churchill House and it’s first occupant about 1865 assisted in compiling the memoirs of another poet William Cooper.

Churchill Street -  Like Randolph Gardens, this street was named after Lord Randolph Churchill, who was a leading member of the Conservative Party at the time the streets were laid out.

Clarence Place-Clarence Lawn-Clarence Street - The Duke of Clarence (afterwards William IV) when he was Lord High Admiral brought over in H.M.S. “The Impregnable” the Emperor of Russia, The King of Prussia and other celebrities on the occasion of Louis XVIII return to France in 1814.  In 1819 the Duke and Duchess stayed in Constable's Tower in the Castle for a short time so naturally the name of Clarence would be known in Dover .While they were here in 1819 the first public carriage was started.  It was owned by a Mr. Baker and so called it a Clarence.  Afterwards when fly’s became more common we read in the advertisements in old Dover Guides that Fly Chariots could be hired by the day or hour. Clarence Place used to be called Crane Street .

Clarendon Street - This street is built on part of some land belonging to St. Mary’s Church. Mr. Crundall was the builder and gave it this name of Lord Clarendon who was Secretary for Foreign Affairs at the time the houses were built in 1870.

Cleveland Approach - This small turning off Roosevelt Road is another of the American names adopted on the Buckland Valley Estate.

Colebran Street - Which ran from Bridge Street to Brook Street was one of three cottages the others being Brook Street itself and Catherine’s Place laid out about 1840 on the site of a former poorhouse.  This workhouse served the poor of St. Mary’s parish until the new workhouse was erected in Union Road to serve the newly constituted Dover Union. Ruth Colebran was one of the clerks employed by Mr. Isaac Minet the Dover banker.  She made money by privatising ventures. There were ratepayers of this name in St. Mary’s Parish in 1717, so one of them may have been a builder.

Colliery Cottages - Known by name to a few people these are quite well known to traveller's on the railway who see them as the train emerges from Shakespeare tunnel.  In fact only one is now occupied.  The name of course comes from the Shakespeare Colliery where coal was first raised in Kent , and which subsequently became the abortive channel tunnel workings.

Colorado Close - Also takes its name from one of the United States of America.

Connaught Park.

Connaught Road - This road is close to Connaught Park, which received its name when the Duke of Connaught opened it.  His wife planted a tree there to celebrate the event in 1883.

Coombe Close - Like the much older Coombe Farm it takes its name from Coombe Down, which separates this district from Crabble and River.

Commercial Quay - It is a very appropriate name given to this road for it was here that ships of commerce of all kinds both to load and unload their goods. The Quay was widened to a carriage road and received it’s present name in 1813.

Common Lane - Leads on to River Minnis where Ireland wrote in 1829 “the poor have a right of common or heath comprising 300 acres.”  Since his days the land has been enclosed

Cornwall House - The Heir to the Throne Prince Charles Duke of Cornwall gives his name to this block of flats, which is one of three now occupying Durham Hill and all named after Royal Dukes.

Council House Street - Not as one might think so named because it was a street built by the local authority but because the place of meeting of the Dover Harbour Board stood there for many years.

Coxhill Gardens - This pleasant modern estate on the fringe of Kearsney Abbey is laid out on land long known as Coxhill Mount.

Cowgate Hill - This name reminds us of old Dover with its walls and gates.  At the foot of this hill stood many gates, it was taken down in 1776 as an inscription, which is let into a house there, tells us.  It was sometimes called the Common Gate because it led to the common where the cows of the town were allowed to graze.  Some of this common was enclosed as a cemetery and consecrated in 1835 by the Archbishop of Canterbury.  It has been closed for many years now except for those who have vaults there.  The rest of the common has been much built over so that cows passing the site of Cowgate would be troubled to find any pasturage.

Cowper Road - Obtained its name in the same manner as Byllan Road. Together with Byllan Road it formed South Road with branches on either side of Lewisham Road. When a change was made because of possible confusion with South Road, Tower Hamlets, this portion was given a name with local associations, giving the name Cowper Covert to a spot on the hillside above the road.

Crabble - This seems to be a name confined to Dover which town makes ample use of it in Crabble Avenue, Close, Hill, Lane, and Road, apart from its application to particular houses and properties such as Crabble Mill and Crabble Court. No completely satisfactory explanation of the name seems to have been discovered.  One suggestion is that it was derived from a crabba - a water rat this is possible since the district is well watered by the River Dour. Another suggestion is that it came from a crab apple tree grown in that district.         

Crabble Meadows - The footpath from Buckland Bridge to the Athletic Ground has long been known by this name. An alternative sometime used is Church Path and developments there are constantly making that a more appropriate name .Before the railway came to divide the area with it’s embankment it really was meadow land where sheep and cattle grazed beside the river.

Crafford Street and Walk - Was named after John Crafford who was Master of the Maison Dieu in the reign of Henry VII.

Crane Street - This is the most ancient name known for Clarence Place, which was later called King’s Head Street after a public house, which had stood there from the time of James I.  The street was again re-named after the Duke of Clarence (later King William IV) who had stayed in Dover. Nothing is known of the origin of the first name but it might well have come from a primitive crane used for unloading vessels which nosed their way to the shingle banks with which this area abounded centuries ago.

Cross Place - This was the name given in some old documents to what is now known as the Market Square. When fairs were held here it was the custom to erect a cross to denote that the fairs originally had a religious character.

Crosswall - Was so called because it was a wall built across from Clarence Place to Union Street in 1661.  This for the first time enclosed the area now known as Granville Dock.  Earlier Union Street was known as Crosswall it having been the shorter of the two big walls built in 1583 to enclose the Pent now the Wellington Dock.

Curzon Road - This is another of the several roads in the town, which commemorate Lord Wardens of the Cinque Ports . Lord Curzon of Kedleston a former Viceroy of India was appointed Lord Warden in 1904 upon the death of the Marquees of Salisbury.  Lord Curzon was also a prominent politician and after handing over the Lord Wardenship to the Prince of Wales (later King George V in 1905) he held numerous offices in the government and was Foreign Secretary from 1919-24.  He therefore has another claim to be among the Parliamentarians who gave their name to roads in this district.

Custom House Quay - Acquired its name in 1807 when a new Custom House was built there.  Earlier the Custom House had been at a place called the Mount between the upper end of Snargate Street and Northampton Street. Drawings and paintings exist showing the new Custom House set back from a quay side on which are mounted cannon.  The formation of Custom House Quay began about 1670 when certain people who had secured leases of land on the eastern side of Strond Street built houses and warehouses there and constructed private quays in front of them.     

De Burgh Street - Named in honour of Hubert De Burgh who was twice Constable of Dover Castle in the reigns of King John and Henry III.  He was also Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and Sheriff and Earl of Kent.  He bravely kept the Castle during a siege in 1216 and in the reign of King John he built the Maison Dieu Hall for the reception of pilgrims who were constantly passing to and fro from the continent on their way to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket.  The brave Knights portrait appears in one of the windows of the Town Hall where he is depicted receiving the Charter of the Maison Dieu from the King.

Deanwood Road - High above Lewisham Road approaching the top of Crabble Lane, and on the north side of that lane is a small wood known as Bob’s Dean Wood. It is that wood which gives it’s name to Deanwood Road a modern off-shoot from Crabble Lane. 

Delaware Dell - Another name taken from an American state is particularly apt because the capital of Delaware is Dover .

De Vere Gardens - Although this is not a street but a terrace of houses in Salisbury Road it is worth recording that they were named after De Vere Earl of Oxford who in ancient times owned the Manor whose estates included land in this area.

Devonshire Road - This is another of the Tower Hamlets roads named after a politician who was prominent at the end of the Victorian era the 8th Duke of Devonshire.  Like Chamberlain he separated from Gladstone on the Home Rule Question and in 1895 entered Lord Salisbury’s third Tory Ministry the year the Marquees of Salisbury became Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. But he disagreed with Chamberlain over fiscal policy and then declared himself a free trader.

Dickson Road - There have been three main-streams in the development of the Tower Hamlets area.  The first began about the middle of the 19th century and took developments as far as South Road.  The second began 1896 and the third comprising the corporations housing estate began in the 1920's. Dickson Road was the last street laid out in the oldest part of the district, the houses there being built about 1890. Sir William Crundall developer of this and the roads leading immediately to the west chose the names of people who were prominent members of the Conservative Party and it is rather ironic that the streets to which he gave such names should be part of an area, which has become quite a social stronghold.  In this case the road was named after Mayor Alexander G. Dickson who was M. P. for Dover from 1865 -1889.  He married Lady North of the Waldershare family.  

Dieu Stone Lane - This lane at one time marked eastern boundary of the Maison Dieu Estate and there was a boundary stone at the end of the lane where it now joins what is now called Maison Dieu Road.    

Dodd’s Lane - John Dodd was a brick-maker who built Dodd's House and the cottage in this lane in 1808.  His ownership of the land in this district led to an unusual court case in 1842. But he was not there to hear the proceedings - he was dead.   During the election dinner in 1841 Dodd offered to show his deeds to a George Hudson a master mariner who was notorious for his claims to the ownership of a great deal of Dover property. Hudson took the deeds away promising to return them next day.  But they were never seen again.  Hudson was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for unlawfully retaining the deeds but Dodd died before the case came up at Dover Quarter Sessions.

Dolphin Lane - Took its name from a public house “The Dolphin” situated in the Lane. Formerly the lane gave access to Market Square and because the buildings in part occupies the site of the lane the block of shops and maisonettes on the east side of the square has been named Dolphin House. There was a Dolphin House here until 1906 when together with a number of cottages it was demolished to add to the brewery.  It had from time to time been used as a Volunteer Institute and by the Young Women’s Christian Association as well as a private residence. In ages past it was probably part of the Harbour, for in sinking a well there they came across eight feet of harbour mud.

Douglas Road - Sir William Crundall named this road in the second stage of development of Tower Hamlets after the Member of Parliament for the St. Augustine Division.

Dour Street - This street was laid out in the year 1859.  It was named owing to its running parallel with the River Dour, and in its course of three miles, turns eleven Mills. It was proposed to call it Gore Street after the Gurley's, who for many years lived at Ladywell Farm and occupied the land but by the direction of the Town Council Dour Street was adopted. 

Douro Place - This Spanish title was given to the Duke of Wellington and borne afterwards by his son.  The Duke was Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports from 1830 until his death in 1852 and his son was quartered in Dover in the Rifle Brigade in 1853 so that their names and titles were often used in Dover. The Duke was also Chairman of the Harbour Board and took great interest in the affairs of the Harbour. His name and titles are also remembered in Arthur’s Place and Wellesley Terrace.

Dryden Road - Another poet who gave his name to a street on Buckland Valley housing estate.

Durban Crescent - South Africa 's part in the 1939-45 war is honoured by this street. Durban being the chief port of the Natal Province.

Durham Hill - It is fairly obvious that there is a connection between the name of this road and the Earldom of Durham but the association is not easy to find.  The connection becomes more obvious when it is realised that the family name of the Earl of Durham is Lambton, which has been used for another local road. The Durham peerage was created about the same time.  John George Lambton the Lord Privy Seal being made a Baron in 1828 and an Earl five years later. In 1818 the Dover School of Industry was established at Durham Hill by the ladies of Dover to educate and train sixty girls.  

Eastbrook Place - Eastbrook Gate was the name given to the Eastern Gate of the town, built by Widred, King of Kent in 700. This Place is not very near to the old boundary of the town, but was probably called this name owing to the fact that the Eastern portion of the river or brook emptied itself near here into the Harbour which was close by, in what we now call Woolcomber Street.

East Cliff -  Stands where the open sea formerly led into the Eastern Harbour and the River Dour.  Before the 19th century there was no thoroughfare here only a bank of shingle over which one man trudged to reach his home, John Smith the father of Sir Sydney Smith who lived in a peculiar dwelling known as Smith’s Folly - looking rather like an upturned boat.

East Street, West Street, North Road, South Road - The only one of four Tower Hamlets Streets named after compass points, which could be really justified.  West Street is almost as far east as East Street. North Road is to the south of the district and South Road runs more or less south-east to north-west.  In a Dover Express dated January 20th 1866 it states - The Town Clerk ordered that the two unnamed streets in Tower Hamlets in future be called East Street and West Street.   

Eaton Road - Three Eaton's were Mayors of Dover in the 17th century but it was the Monins  family who gave the names to this street in the Elms Vale area where they held land for many centuries.  John Henry Monins who lived at Ringwould House was the heart of the family when these roads at the end of the last century and Eaton Road was named after his son John Eaton Monins, who later represented Dover on Kent County Council.  He was killed in a road accident.  One hundred and fifty years earlier the Rev. Monins Eaton was Rector of Ringwould.  Earl Kitchener whose name was used for the next turning off Elms Vale Road was a cousin of John Henry Monins.  The families were further linked when Earl Kitchener’s nephew Viscount Broome married the elder daughter of J. H. Monins.  The elder son is the present Earl Kitchener and his brother who is heir to the Earldom continues the use of the name Eaton - Charles Eaton Kitchener.  The Monins also named Chevalier Road two ladies of that name being aunts of Mr. John Henry Monins.

Eaves Road - Mr. Tom Eaves was a popular master at St. Martin’s School but was killed in the First World War.  He was also Scoutmaster of the local troop and when they later built headquarters behind Markland Road they named it Eaves Hall.  Subsequently a few properties were built there and the residents began to describe it as New Road.  The Corporation however took a hand and decided that it should be called Eaves Road . There was a court objection from one resident but the magistrates upheld the corporation case.

Edinburgh House - Although this is not in any sense a thoroughfare it may be useful here to say that this block of flats and others on Durham Hill have been named after Royal Dukes.

Edgar Road - This is another of local streets, which bears the name of an old English King; Edgar the Peaceable who reigned from 939-957 was a Monarch with enlightened ideas.  By one of the laws the Borough Court was held three times a week in Dover right up to the 19th Century when an Act of Parliament directed that sessions should be held quarterly.

Edred Road - When the district known as Tower Hamlets was laid out in roads and streets it was thought well to go far back in the History of our County and use names of worthies of that period. This one of Edred was chosen because he was an energetic King of Kent reigning from 946-955, and was thought worthy of remembrance.

Edwards Road - This short street, which gives access to the rear of the Co-operative premises and is the approach to Salem School Hall, was named after the Rev. E. J. Edwards the Minister of the Baptist Church who greatly assisted in strengthening the cause in Dover .

Effingham Crescent - Lady Effingham was a frequent visitor to Dover and gave largely to the building fund of Christ Church so when houses were built about 1844 near the Church it was thought well to perpetuate her memory by giving her name to the crescent.  Later upon petition from the residents the name Effingham was also given to the street connecting Effingham Crescent with Folkestone Road, which was known as St. Martin’s Street.   

Egerton Road - Although Kearsney Villas and Compton Lodge have existed here for many years. This turning off London Road River and boundary run’s doesn’t appear to have borne a name until about 1925.  The only suggestions about it’s origin is associated with the Quested family among whom the Egerton has long been a popular Christian name.  There are records of the Quested’s having been farmers in the district for well over a century.  One was the tenant of Buckland Manor farm in 1820.  His young daughter was decoyed away by a gypsy woman while playing in Crabble meadows. She was found 15 years later with gypsies in a hop garden near Maidstone

Elizabeth Street - Now reduced to a mere connecting road between Limekiln Street and Hawkesbury Street. Elizabeth Street was once quite an important thoroughfare where three religions denominations the Wesleyans the Roman Catholics and the Jews had meeting places. This like most of the area here is reclaimed ground.  Originally Elizabeth Street an off-shoot from Limekiln Street terminated at the north west corner of Paradise Pent where about 1590 Mr. Thomas Lagges engineer for the harbour built a sluice and storehouse upon which was placed an effigy of Queen Elizabeth who had been more than 20 years on the throne.

Elms Vale Road - The name Elms has for long been attached to this thoroughfare and the valley leading up to Hougham, and some fine elm trees are still to be seen along the valley at Chilverton Elms.  A name plate on the flint cottage at the Folkestone Road junction still designates it as Elms Road.  At the other times it has been known as Elms Bottom.  After the dissolution of the Priory of St. Martins some of the corn lands in Elms Bottom passed through various owners until they became attached to the Manor of the Elms.  Until late in the 19th.century there were only two properties in the valley, a farmhouse at the corner of the Stebbing Down footpath and Mr Henry Adams dairy farm further up the valley.

Elsam’s Cottages - This is a local name, which has now disappeared from our streets with the passage of time and the assistance of the war.  Elsam’s Cottages were a row of tenements in Dieu Stone Lane, which Mr. Richard Elsam built in 1820 with materials left over from the erection of the prison in Gaol Lane. Mr. Elsam a local builder is believed to have been the first surveyor a part time appointment then to Dover Corporation appointed after the establishment of Paving Commission in 1778.  His best-known work has also disappeared as the result of the clearances made following the war the Round House that he built in Townwall Street for Mr. John Shipdem the Town Clerk.

Endeavour Place -  This little off-shoot from London Road takes a name from a privateer called  “The Endeavour" which was fitted out at Dover in 1746. The name of  “The Old Endeavour Inn” came from the same source.

Eric Road - Eric was King of Northumbria, and foolishly went to war against the people of Kent. Eventually he was killed in battle and his dominions annexed to those of Kent.

Erith Road - For this name we must come down to very modern times. It was given it by a Quaker named Beale who came from Erith and built the house at the end of the road.

Ethelbert Road - Ethelbert was another King of Kent, one of the converts of St. Augustine, and it is said by some people that he assigned St. Mary-in-the Castle to St. Augustine.

Exhibition Place - Was a row of houses on the east side of Woolcomber Street, which were built in 1851 the year of the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park .