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The Gate House ‘mini-castle’ at Victoria Park, Dover, going up for auction

15:46, 09 January 2024

updated: 16:19, 09 January 2024

A distinctive Gothic mini-castle, which thousands of motorists drive past every day, is going up for auction.

The Gate House, on the corner of Victoria Park and the busy A258 Castle Hill Road, Dover, is now used as a “fairytale” holiday cottage that can accommodate four people.

The Gothic Gate House in Dover right next to a K6 phone kiosk. Picture: SDL Property Auctions
The Gothic Gate House in Dover right next to a K6 phone kiosk. Picture: SDL Property Auctions
The Gate House in Dover is on the corner of Victoria Park, left, and Castle Hill Road. Picture: SDL Property Auctions
The Gate House in Dover is on the corner of Victoria Park, left, and Castle Hill Road. Picture: SDL Property Auctions

The Grade II-listed building, which dates back to the 19th century and has its own turret, is going under the hammer at the end of the month with a guide price of £120,000-plus.

The 99-year lease, from April 1990, has 66 years left and the ground rent is £45 per annum.

The auction sales notes say: The property is conveniently located for all local amenities and public transport links, including Dover Priory station, which provides regular services to London’s St Pancras International station.”

The property is also located next to a classic red K6 phone box.

In February 2016, it featured in the BBC TV property programme Homes under the Hammer when it sold for £96,000.

An inside look at The Gate House in Dover. Picture: SDL Property Auctions
An inside look at The Gate House in Dover. Picture: SDL Property Auctions
An interior shot of The Gate House in Dover. Picture: SDL Property Auctions
An interior shot of The Gate House in Dover. Picture: SDL Property Auctions

According to Historic England, The Gate House was built in 1850 as the gate lodge to Victoria Park – which was an exclusive crescent of houses.

Historic England says: “Victoria Park is reported to have been built as officers houses’ for the Dover garrison.

“The Gate House is situated at the junction of Victoria Park and Castle Hill and originally there was a gate in front of the lodge which controlled access to Victoria Park.”

The news of the sale has attracted several comments on social media.

One person said: “I think a lot of people in Dove love this little place.”

Another said it was her parents’ first home and one man commented: “I used to climb on the flat roof as a child when I lived in Victoria Park – my mum's ex-partner then bought it.”

The Gate House is being sold in the SDL Property Auctions live-streamed sale at 10am on Wednesday, January 31.

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