Cozens’ paving stones (via Street scenes)


During the 1920s and 1930s Walter Cozens, local builder and founder of the Canterbury Archaeological Society, initiated a scheme for laying paving stones to denote locations for the main historical features of Canterbury city.  Records are unclear on exactly how many were laid and where they were located, but we know of 17 which still exist.  It appears that most had lead lettering, all now lost.  Many are now cracked, dirty, difficult to read and very easy to miss.  Locations are shown below (click on images for enlarged version):

1    Grayfriars (sic) 

2    Royal Mint

3    T S Cooper

4    Chequer

5    Cambium Regis (Royal Exchange)

6    Jews Stone House

7    Doges Chantry

8    Black Prince’s Chantry

9    Northgate

10  Wincheap gate

11  Knights Templar

12  Blackfriars Gate

13  Burgate

14  Worthgate

15  (Norman) Castle 

16  Roper’s Gate

17  Dane John Manor House

54 St Peter’s Street (3rd eye)

37 High Street (Treds)

Cooper Gallery St Peter’s Street

1 High Street (Olde Sweet Shoppe)

by Beaney Museum in High Street

21 High Street (Paperchase)

corner of Edward Rd & Lower Chantry Lane

King’s Street near synagogue

by former St Mary’s Church, Northgate

Castle Row

King’s Street near synagogue

St Peter’s Street at the corner of the Friars.

Burgate Street at the corner of Broad Street

near the Castle in Castle Street

in front of gate on Castle Street

St Dunstan’s

Lansdown Road path near Station Road East – set in the wall, as the path bends left, just opposite the gap in the wall and steps down from the railway station car park

Note: most recent discoveries (Roper’s Gate and Dane John Manor) were reported by Joyce Ainslie – my thanks to her.

DL

Note: updated February 2024 by IO based on some observations by Nigel Price