Upnor Castle, Kent

Upnor Castle is an Elizabethan artillery fort built to defend ships moored "in ordinary" (i.e. out of service for repair) on the River Medway outside Chatham dockyards.

Due to its sheltered position, close to London, the River Medway was used to build and repair warships. To protect this fleet, Queen Elizabeth ordered in 1559, that a bulwark be built on the river at Upnor for the protection of our navy. A site opposite St Mary's Creek was selected and 6 acres of land was purchased for £25 (around £10,000 as of 2011). The building, in 1564, cost £3,621 to complete. In 1564 twenty three ships of the Queen largest ships were moored in Bridge Reach.

much of the previous building work was altered in 1625, and again in 1653. In 1623, Upnor had 18 guns of various sizes.

During the English Civil War the castle was surrendered to the Parliament in 1642. A Royalist rebellion in 1648 seized the castle. It was returned to the Parliament, and following a visit by General Fairfax further repairs were planned. It was used as a prison.

In 1667 the defences of Upnor Castle failed to prevent the Dutch sailing past it to burn or capture the English fleet at anchor and this was the end of Upnor's career as a defensive castle.

(Photograph courtesy of Trish & Chris Seymour).

Opening Times

April to October
Open daily: 10am to 6pm

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Ticket Prices

Adults: £5.50
Children: £3.50
Concessions: £3.50
Family Ticket: £14.50
EH Member: Free

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Disabled Facilities

Access to castle: Via ramp from road, cobbled drive, and five steep steps or 4 shallow steps into Barrack Block (ticket point); 90m hoggin drive to castle and three steps down to drawbridge.
Ground floor level but stairs to first floor. Small threshold step to courtyard and short ramp into Magazine block.
Grounds: Accessible on impacted gravel and cobble paths; short grass with some slopes. Benches provided.

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More Information

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