Upnor Castle

About

Upnor Castle stands on the wooded banks of the River Medway, a rare example of an Elizabethan artillery fort built to protect the royal dockyards at Chatham. Completed in the late 16th century, it was designed as a long, narrow riverside stronghold, its thick stone walls and angled bastions positioned to command the waterway rather than the land. The castle’s most dramatic moment came in 1667 during the Dutch Raid, when its guns fired on the invading fleet in one of the boldest naval attacks in English history. Though unable to stop the assault, the fort survived and later served as a military store before being preserved as a historic site. Today, visitors can explore vaulted magazines, timbered interiors and peaceful courtyards while enjoying views across the river. Upnor Castle remains an atmospheric reminder of England’s maritime defences and the strategic importance of the Medway.

Rochester United Kingdom

Location

Upnor Castle is located in the village of Upper Upnor on the west bank of the River Medway in Rochester, Medway, Kent. Built by Queen Elizabeth I between 1559 and 1567, this Elizabethan artillery fort was designed to protect Chatham Dockyard and the Royal Navy ships anchored in the Medway. The attractive turreted castle features a two-storey main building, curtain wall, towers, and a triangular gun platform projecting into the river. Although it failed to stop the Dutch raid in June 1667, it later served as a naval ammunition store until 1945 and is now managed by English Heritage. Set on a cobbled High Street, the castle is surrounded by maritime charm and family-friendly spots. Immediately next door is the Tudor Rose, a 17th-century pub and restaurant overlooking the River Medway and St Mary’s Island, welcoming dogs and serving classics like fish pie and seabass. The Kings Arms pub is also on High Street, and The Pier, Medway Yacht Club, Upnor Sailing Club, and Arethusa Venture Centre line the waterfront, making Upnor a centre for small boats and sailing on the Medway. A short distance away is Rochester’s historic core. Rochester Castle, with its 12th-century keep, and Rochester Cathedral, founded in 604 AD, stand on the east bank of the Medway with the Guildhall Museum, Eastgate House, and Dickensian High Street nearby. Chatham Historic Dockyard, Royal Engineers Museum, Fort Amherst, and St Mary’s Island are across the river.