More information has emerged about the history of Victorian animal cages recently rediscovered behind Margate’s Dreamland amusement park.

They came to light once more when workmen were clearing away trees and undergrowth in the corner bordering the railway line. Thought to be the only cages of their kind left in this country, they have been given a six-month temporary listing to prevent their demolition.

A proposal surfaced earlier this year in Thanet Council’s blueprint for redevelopiung the area close to the Arlington House block of flats which could see a new road being driven through this area of the park, meaning the cages, supporting crenallated walls and mock gatehouse could all be lost.

Raymond Dolling, who has studied the early history of the Hall By The Sea, the forerunner of Dreamland, says on the Save Dreamland Campaign’s website, the original zoological garden was opened by owner 'Lord’ George Sanger on June 27 1874.

He suggests the two metre semi-circular cages most likely contained monkeys rather than larger animals such as lions or bears, as commonly thought, while the zoo itself was a separate business from Sanger’s travelling circus. He also dispels the belief the Hall By the Sea was used as winter quarters for the circus animals.

He said: “The zoo was a typical Victorian pleasure garden with statues, a lake and fountain with pens for various animals including deer, antelope, camels, waterfowl, possibly giraffes and for a time, an elephant. At one end there was a huge building known as the menagerie with 23 cages for big cats, bears, baboons and wolves.

The zoo was self-contained and surrounded by a huge wall made of flints and brick rubble and contained a sham - a 'ruined Medieval abbey’ used as a bandstand with adjoining cages possibly used for monkeys which are the ones rediscovered.

“The zoo lasted until 1905 - the year Sanger retired - when the remaining animals were sold but was partially restocked in July 1913. When Dreamland was opened in 1920 the grounds were derelict but were restored, although the cages were never returned to use. The menagerie building was let first to Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake and then GB Chapman.

All the aerial photographs of Dreamland taken in the 1930s show this building which had 'Dreamland’ painted on its roof and bomb damage caused it to be demolished in 1946. From 1946 to 1959 there was a small zoo known as 'Zooland’ at the end of the Scenic Railway.”