Dover's Gothic Revival: the Mayor's Parlour Open Days

The Landmark Trust is a charity that raises funds to restore historic buildings at risk.  Our buildings are available as holiday lets and open to the public at certain times of the year. Please see our website for more details:http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk

The Landmark Trust

Join us at the Mayor's Parlour, Maison Dieu, the latest project by The  Landmark Trust.

Maison Dieu Museum

Joining Heritage Open Days for the first time since its restoration and project completion in spring 2025, explore the latest Landmark Trust property in Dover's historic town centre.<a href="https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/properties/mayors-parlour/#overview" title="https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/properties/mayors-parlour/#overview" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">The Mayor’s Parlour</a> is located inside Dover’s revived Medieval town hall known as <a href="https://www.maisondieudover.org.uk/" title="https://www.maisondieudover.org.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Maison Dieu</a>. Following a multi-million pound restoration, Maison Dieu is now a vibrant visitor attraction and cultural hub for Dover.The Mayor's Parlour inside Dover's ancient Town Hall, the Maison Dieu, was conceived by architect and designer William Burges, arch-proponent of the High Victorian Dream at its most dazzling.Entry to Mayor's Parlour and Maison Dieu is free during Heritage Open Days. Information on the building's history and children’s activity sheets will be available.Pre-booking is preferred, but drop-in's on the day are welcome. <h3>About the Mayor's Parlour</h3>The <a href="https://www.maisondieudover.org.uk/" title="https://www.maisondieudover.org.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Maison Dieu</a> (meaning House of God) began as a monastery around 1200, offering 'hospitality for all strangers', chiefly pilgrims travelling to Canterbury Cathedral to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket. The site has passed through many uses over the centuries, until 1834 when it was bought by Dover Corporation to be Dover's Town Hall. The Corporation set about converting Maison Dieu for public and civic use, and in 1859 brought in architects Ambrose Poynter to restore the ancient fabric and convert it for its new role. The young William Burges was his assistant.Following a period of decline for Maison Dieu, Dover District Council (DDC) undertook an ambitious £8.5m project at Maison Dieu, including support from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, to restore the whole complex and bring it back into vibrant use. Working with DCC and architects <a href="http://haverstock.com/" title="http://haverstock.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Haverstock LLP</a>, we are delighted to have brought the Mayor’s Parlour Block suite of rooms back to life, set in one corner of the upper ground floor with a private staircase to further rooms above. <h4>Open Day entry</h4>Due to the historic nature of our buildings we have a limited capacity for our Open Day events. You may therefore be asked to wait a short time while other visitors finish their visit. Whilst booking is not essential, priority will be given to those who have booked in advance. Thank you for your co-operation. <h4>Getting here</h4>Address: Maison Dieu, Biggin Street, Dover, CT16 1DLThere is no parking at this Landmark. Visitors arriving by car should use the town's <a href="https://www.dover.gov.uk/Transport,-Streets--Parking/Parking/Car-Parks-in-Dover.aspx" title="https://www.dover.gov.uk/Transport,-Streets--Parking/Parking/Car-Parks-in-Dover.aspx" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">public car parks</a>. Pencester Car Park is around a 6-minute walk.By train: Dover Priory railway station is just under half a mile from the Maison Dieu.By bus: The local buses are run by Stagecoach, www.stagecoach.com, and there is a stop in Ladywell Street.Please note, 'Maison Dieu Guest House' nearby should not be confused with the Mayor's Parlour at Maison Dieu and is not connected to this event. <h4>Accessibility</h4>We do all we can to enable access wherever possible; if you have any access concerns that you’d like to discuss before visiting, please contact our Booking Enquiries team on 01628 825925 or <a href="mailto:booking@landmarktrust.org.uk" title="mailto:booking@landmarktrust.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">booking@landmarktrust.org.uk</a>. The Booking Office is open Mon to Fri - 9am to 5pm. <h4>Donating to The Landmark Trust</h4>As a charity, the Landmark Trust relies on donations to support our work. We couldn’t have rescued over 200 Landmarks without the support of people like you.Your support saves historic buildings in danger of being lost forever and makes them available for all to experience and enjoy.Your donation could help train the craftspeople needed to restore buildings like this, or it could offer opportunities to young people to experience history first-hand, through our open days and free stays for study groups.

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