IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Dane John Court, CANTERBURY, CT1 2RN

The gardens with the frozen fountain can be seen and, to the right, the rooftops of the new Whitefriars shopping centre. On the skyline can be seen the towers of Canterbury Cathedral. Dane John mound is topped by the Simmons memorial. Alderman James Simmons was responsible for laying out the gardens in 1790. They have recently been restored by the City Council. The mound is the site of a Norman motte and bailey castle and, prior to that, a Roman burial site.

Planning permission has been granted by Canterbury City Council under application number CA//15/02264 for “alterations to previously-approved proposals CA/15/00244/LB for minor internal alterations, repairs & replacement to existing windows and facade painting”. Number 3's frontage is covered in scaffolding.

Looking along a path next to terrace houses in Dane John Gardens.

The open space now occupied by Dane John Gardens has been enjoyed by the citizens of Canterbury since at least the 12th century. They were laid out in their present form by Alderman Simmons in 1790. They were restored in 1999 with the assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Dane John Mound was once part of a motte-and-bailey castle dating from the 11th century.

Viewed from the footpath in the gardens and through the lime tree avenue.

Looking towards terraces overlooking the gardens.

Part of Dane John Gardens. Dane John Gardens have been owned by Canterbury Council since 1836 although the open space has been used by the local people for centuries. The gardens were restored in the period 1994 to 1999. The gardens are on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, grade II, and there is much history and detail at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1001360 The gardens are also a Scheduled Ancient Monument with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1003780 Canterbury is a small historic city on the River Stour in Kent, some 54 miles southeast of London. Occupied since prehistoric times, it became an important Roman city. In 672, the see of Canterbury gained authority over the entire English Church. After the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket at the cathedral in 1170, pilgrims from all parts of Christendom came to visit his shrine until the Dissolution. Today, Canterbury is a popular tourist destination and one of the most-visited cities in the United Kingdom. The city has a substantial student population, with four university campuses.