The Blue Plaques of Dover Seafront

 

All the way back when we took a mosey down to the seafront for the Andalucia in the summer, we happened to pass a couple of houses with blue plaques on.

Now Ren loves a blue plaque, almost as much as she adores Charles Dickens (even if she doesn't agree with some of his life choices), and so we just had to make a post about it as sometimes even the little history is worth remembering.

There are two very different plaques commemorating famous people who lived here. Below we'll take a look at them and just why this area is so special.

Dickensian connections

Charles Dickens, one of Kent's most infamous authors, stayed in Dover and notably during the writing of Bleak House. We can of course see the inspiration, Dover is pretty bleak itself, especially in today's society, but the similarities drawn between Dickensian times and now is pretty sad. However, we arent here to talk about his work, although Ren could easily do that all day which is why we now have a Dickensian series as it is an area of interest for her, we are here to address the blue plaque.

When walking back to St James' Shopping Centre, we came across two blue plaques on the side of the terraced houses on the seafront. One of these were a tribute to the late, great, Charles Dickens himself.

Now obviously this was no surprise, our local area is riddled with Dickensian connections as it was his local area when he lived too. He called Rochester his home, but he stomped around Chatham, Canterbury, and clearly even Dover throughout his time and he never forgot his roots. Kent was his home. So it thrilled Ren to come across this (again) as she's been studying the life and works of Dickens for a few years now.

Dickens stayed in number 10 Camden Crescent for 3 months with his family and occasional guest. We assume that the house in which he lodged no longer stands which is why the plaque is here, but to know that Wilkie Collins, another famed author visited his friend in humble Dover of all places was a little bit of a buzz for a sad literary nut such as our dear Ren. It's worth mentioning this memorial, especially as parts of Bleak House were crafted here, which makes the novel part of Dover too and therefore the historical connection is worthy of inclusion.

A Sporting Legend

The other blue plaque on the row of houses by the seafront was dedicated to John Cuthbert Ottaway, who lived in Camden Crescent as a boy. He was an England Soccer captain back in the 1800s and while we admit that we had never heard of him, the significance of this crescent during that period is important for sure. 

Both Dickens and Ottaway, two famous faces within a 100 year period, this had to have meant that Camden Crescent in Dover was a popular spot, a rich spot, cultured and partially wealthy at least. Dover seafront is certainly a lovely spot and it would have been the ideal place to reside away from the smog and hussle and bussle of London. 

We do know that in WWII a bomb hit the area and an unexploded bomb was found in number 8, whether this had anything to do with the historical section of houses no longer being there we do not know.

This area is a lovely spot and we can see why the homes were so sought out in terms of holiday making. Being so close to the sea inspires something, but from literature to sport, while the houses no longer stand the memories do.

DISCLAIMER: Now for the official bit. This blog does not receive any paid promotions from the places mentioned above. We have not been approached to promote or act as spokespersons for any attraction mentioned within this post and this is simply a post intended to act as a day in the life of a couple on a cute date. All photos included are taken by ourselves and as such the rights for these images our ours, no links, brands, or companies mentioned otherwise belong or are associated with Phantom Adventures UK. We are responsible only for this blog. Opinions are our own and not influenced by any third party source.. 

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