Monument record MDO6815 - Town Gate, Poole

The stone-built Town Gate of medieval Poole was constructed during the 15th century and demolished during the reign of Charles II.

The 1539 map of the Dorset Coast depicts the town gate as having drum towers with corbelled crenellations on either side of a recessed entrance. <1> The town gate is also shown on the 1634 map. <2> A stone-built town gate was built on the north side of Poole after King Henry VI granted a licence of murage in 1433. It was built immediately behind a tidal ditch with a drawbridge across it. The town gate was repaired in 1524. A drawbridge spanning the dyke is mentioned in 1645-6. The town gate was strengthened during the Civil War. The defences were demolished by order of Charles II. An embattled gate and wall were erected at the landward approach to the town after a licence was granted in 1433. These defences were considerably strengthened during the Civil War, and were demolished by order of Charles II. The gate stood at the north end of Towngate Street. <4> <6> The site of the Town Gate is now built over, but in view of the line of the Town Dyke (SZ 09 SW 22), it was probably in the area SZ 01249093. <5> During the construction of Towngate Bridge in 1970-1, the remains of a massive stone structure, presumed to be the town gate, were found. No detailed record of this was made. <6>

Record last edited

Dec 5 2023 1:32PM