The cantonment was a military camp for Portuguese, Dutch and British rulers, and is now the headquarters of Defence Security Corps.

The cantonment at Kannur falls in the Class III category.

It is home to St. Angelo Fort, Holy Trinity Cathedral and St. Thomas Orthodox Church.

It is now a prominent and strategic location for the Indian armed forces.

As of 2011[update] India census,[3] Kannur Cantonment had a population of 4,798.