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The Maison Dieu, the oldest of the Town Hall buildings, was founded by Hubert de Burgh, then the Constable of Dover Castle in 1203.

It was not then built, as many have thought, as a church, but to provide short term accommodation for pilgrims travelling to the shrine of Thomas a Becket at Canterbury, and for the care of wounded and destitute soldiers.

Over the last 800 years the building has seen many owners and fulfilled many functions from military store to Council Chamber, from centre of local justice and punishment to concert hall. The Maison Dieu contains a collection of arms and armour and some fine paintings. It is also home to the famous unique Zeebrugge Bell given to Dover by the King of the Belgians in 1918.The painted stained glass windows depict notable historic events and date from 1873.

The Maison Dieu will close in September 2021 for a two-year programme of conservation and restoration work, so that future visitors can enjoy Burges’s unique decorative features.