Dane John Gardens

History of the Dane John Gardens

From Iron Age burial to medieval archery

Dane John Gardens has origins stretching back to at least the early 1st century AD. Dane John Mound incorporates either a late Iron Age burial mound created by the Cantiaci tribe or a Romano-British burial mound dating after the Roman invasion of AD 43. Several other burial mounds once stood nearby, collectively known in the early modern period as the “Dungil Hills”.

The area was later enclosed by the Roman walls of Canterbury, which were rebuilt during the medieval period using Roman fabric and foundations. A Roman bank survives buried between the mound and the city walls.

Because of its strategic height, the mound was adopted by the Normans shortly after 1066 as the site of Canterbury’s first motte-and-bailey castle. The enlarged motte supported a timber bailey structure surrounded by defensive ditches. However, the Norman timber fortification was quickly superseded by the construction of the stone castle to the west from 1086 onwards.

By the late 16th century all visible traces of the Norman castle had disappeared. The name “Dane John” derives from the French word “donjon,” meaning castle keep, although antiquarian Edward Hasted proposed an alternative origin linked to Danish invaders. Historically, the site was also called “Dungeon Hill” and “dunghill”.

In the medieval period, the mound and surrounding land became common land used by the people of Canterbury. The site was used for archery practice, plague quarantine encampments during the 1640s, and livestock markets granted under a charter of Charles II in 1684.

Simmons' Pleasure Gardens

The gardens were formally landscaped in the late 18th century by alderman James Simmons, who leased the land in 1790 and spent around £1,500 transforming what had previously been rough open ground. Simmons introduced tree-lined walks, terraces, planting schemes, and a spiral path ascending the mound. He also reshaped the mound itself, increasing its height and modifying its banks and ditches.

In 1803 a memorial pinnacle was erected atop the mound in Simmons’ honour. By the early 19th century the gardens had become a formal public pleasure ground with promenades, ornamental planting, and landscaped walks along the city walls.

Throughout the 19th century further ornamental features were added. These included: the Weekes Sundial of 1840, an ornate fountain installed in the 1850s, a Marlowe memorial sculpture, a Boer War memorial designed by W.D. Caroe and Eric Gill, and a cast-iron bandstand.

During the Second World War the gardens became associated with anti-aircraft defences, leading to the construction of shell shelters within the banks near the city wall.

Lottery-funded restoration works in the 1990s introduced new railings, replacement benches, a replica bandstand, and modern artworks including Joss Smith’s ‘Font’ fountain and ‘Silent Table’. The ‘Peace Pavement’, commemorating European cities damaged by war, was also installed during this period.

Most recently a new play area and café have been added to the gardens as part of the 2023 Levelling Up investment.