Wall and Railings to former Sessions House and Canterbury Prison
Former Sessions House, HM Prison Canterbury, Longport, Canterbury
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1097022
- Date first listed:
- 07-Sept-1973
- List Entry Name:
- Wall and Railings to former Sessions House and Canterbury Prison
- Statutory Address:
- Former Sessions House, HM Prison Canterbury, Longport, Canterbury
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2004-04-12
- Reference:
- IOE01/10567/14
- Rights:
- © Mr Paul Howard. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1097022
- Date first listed:
- 07-Sept-1973
- Date of most recent amendment:
- 21-Feb-2014
- List Entry Name:
- Wall and Railings to former Sessions House and Canterbury Prison
- Statutory Address 1:
- Former Sessions House, HM Prison Canterbury, Longport, Canterbury
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- Former Sessions House, HM Prison Canterbury, Longport, Canterbury
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- County:
- Kent
- District:
- Canterbury (District Authority)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- TR1567657695
Summary
Wall and railings to the former Sessions House and Canterbury Prison.
Reasons for Designation
Wall and railings to the former Sessions House and Canterbury Prison are listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Date: designed by George Byfield and built between 1806-08 as part of his contract for a gaol and house of correction with an adjoining court house;
* Architectural interest: low brick walls with cast iron railings incorporating columns in the shape of fasces;
* Group value: part of a group with the former Sessions House and Canterbury Prison.
History
This boundary wall and railings of circa 1808 forms part of George Byfield's design for a new gaol and house of correction with an adjoining court house. The design of fasces (a bundle of rods used as a symbol of Roman authority) on the columns echoes the design on the central cornice of the former court house.
Details
Wall and railings to Sessions House and Canterbury Prison. The wall extends from the western boundary of the former Sessions House to the former Governor's House of Canterbury Prison, 45 Langport.
MATERIALS: brick wall, stone coping and cast iron railings.
DESCRIPTION: a low brick wall about three feet high with stone coping which is pierced by tall cast iron spear railings. These have columns moulded to resemble fasces at regular intervals, which have additional support from curved iron supports on brick and stone piers to the rear. The wall is interrupted by four carriage openings, two in front of the former Sessions House, one opposite the entrance to Canterbury Prison and one near the former Governor's House to Canterbury Prison, 45 Longport.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 439696
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 04-Jun-2026 at 11:01:34.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.