Tilbury Fort, Essex

Tilbury Fort is on the bank of the River Thames in Essex and was built to defend London from attack from the sea, particularly during the Spanish Armada and the Anglo-Dutch Wars.

The first permanent fort at Tilbury was built in 1539 by Henry VIII. The fort was held for Parliament during the English Civil War but was never attacked by the Royalists. After the English Civil war Charles II was exiled in Holland, where he was influenced by European advances in military architecture. Following the disastrous 1667 Dutch attack on the English fleet, Charles II set in motion the re-fortification of the site.

Work started on the current fort in 1670 by Dutchman Sir Bernard de Gomme, and continued into the 1680s. Henry VIII's blockhouse was retained. The result is the best preserved example of de Gomme's work.

There is a memorial to the Highland prisoners captured after the Battle of Culloden in 1746 who were held at Tilbury. The Napoleonic invasion scare of 1803 saw the Royal Trinity House Volunteer Artillery manning 10 armed hulks across the Thames at Tilbury.

19th century improvements in metallurgy and artillery firepower saw extensive re-design and re-modelling along the fort's riverside, much of it overseen by Captain Charles Gordon. The 17th century walls were reinforced and earth was embanked on the outside to protect the brickwork from the effect of modern high velocity guns. The Henry VIII blockhouse was demolished around 1867.

The Victorian modernisation was, partly built over prior to WWI and it is these later concrete emplacements and expense magazines which visitors see today on the south-east curtain.

The fort's sole military success was during the First World War, when anti-aircraft guns on the parade ground shot down a Zeppelin airship. Bombing damage in the Second World War destroyed the 18th century soldiers' barrack block, but the officers' terrace still survives. De-mobilised in 1950 and placed in the care of the Ministry of Public Building and Works and opened to the public, the site is now cared for by English Heritage.

Opening Times

April to October: Thursday to Monday, 10am to 5pm
November to March: weekends only, 10am to 4pm

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Ticket Prices

Adults: £4.30
Children: £2.60
Concessions: £3.90
EH Member: Free
Family Ticket: £11.20

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Disabled Facilities

Access to buildings: Via level cobbled surface, tarmac and gravel paths, and smooth grass. Level access to magazines, fort square and some underground workings. Seats available.
Exhibition: Level access.
Grounds: Steep slopes or steps to ramparts and some gun emplacements.
Toilets: Adapted WC with level access, within fort.
Shop: Accessed via 3 steps.

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More Information

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