An iconic clock that has graced the Dover skyline for 140 years is set to undergo a meticulous restoration as part of the £10.5 million revitalisation of the Maison Dieu, also known as Dover Town Hall. This historic clock, which was last removed in 1902, is being transported to the skilled hands of specialist clockmakers and conservators at Smith of Derby.

The restoration project aims to return the clock to its full working order, including the restoration of its lighting so that it can be admired both day and night, preserving its legacy for generations to come.

The Maison Dieu tower clock, crafted in 1883 by E Dent & Co, is a noteworthy creation from one of the most renowned Victorian clockmakers. E Dent & Co held a Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria and was also responsible for crafting the Great Clock of the Houses of Parliament. The clock tower itself is an integral part of the Maison Dieu, designed by William Burges in the 1880s as part of the grand Victorian civic and concert hall.

The £10.5 million restoration project will not only breathe new life into this Grade I Listed building but will also see the Maison Dieu permanently open to the public for the first time in its 800-year history, starting from 2025.

Cllr Charlotte Zosseder, Cabinet Member for Community and Corporate Property at Dover District Council, expressed her excitement, stating, “The removal of the Maison Dieu clock for restoration is the next exciting step in the reawakening of this amazing building. We’re looking forward to its return so that it can continue its history as Dover’s most famous clock!”

Martin Butchers, Sales & Complex Projects Manager at Smith of Derby, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “We are thrilled to be playing our part in the reawakening of the Maison Dieu. We are looking forward to restoring the cast iron skeleton dials, introducing LED internal backlit lighting, and re-engineering the bevel sets and bushes, and the dial motion works inside the drum. The Maison Dieu Tower Clock is a landmark of the Dover skyline, and it’s a privilege to be involved in the project.

About the Reawakening the Maison Dieu Project

The £10.5 million reawakening project for the Grade I Listed Maison Dieu involves restoring internationally significant decorative schemes by the renowned Victorian neo-Gothic architect, William Burges. It also includes creating a new street-level visitor entrance to the Connaught Hall, as well as improving access throughout the building. This project aims to provide a sustainable future for the Maison Dieu by repurposing redundant spaces, such as restoring the Mayor’s Parlour as a holiday let in partnership with The Landmark Trust, and creating a unique café in the space that once housed Victorian gaol cells.

Once the project is completed in 2025, the Maison Dieu will be permanently open to the public for the first time in its 800-year history, contributing to the creation of a heritage quarter in Dover town centre.

Project Funders/Partners include the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Wolfson Foundation, The Landmark Trust, the Dover District Council, the Dover Town Council, and the Dover Society.

History of the Maison Dieu

Founded in the early 1200s by Hubert de Burgh, the Maison Dieu passed to King Henry III in 1227. The building’s earliest surviving part, the Chapel (later the court room), was consecrated in the presence of King Henry III. Originally constructed as a place of hospitality for pilgrims journeying from continental Europe to Canterbury Cathedral to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket, the Maison Dieu later served as a victualling yard supplying ships of the Royal Navy following the Dissolution in the 16th century.

In the mid-19th century, the prominent Victorian architect Ambrose Poynter extensively restored the Maison Dieu with the assistance of the emerging Gothic Revival architect, William Burges. Burges went on to further remodel the building, designing an assembly hall (the Connaught Hall) and civic offices, including a range of bespoke furniture and interior schemes.

The Maison Dieu represents the only civic commission by William Burges and is the sole intact building in England still containing his decorative scheme, furniture, and fittings. Over its entire 800-year history, the Maison Dieu has consistently served the community in various civic capacities and remains a cherished local landmark.