Upnor Castle from the River Medway

Upnor Castle often goes unnoticed as a prominent landmark in Medway. As Chatham across the river has the incredibly fascinating Historic Dockyard, rich in naval history. You may even recognise scenes filmed here for ‘Call the Midwife’.
 
Then an arrow throws away is the picturesque town of Rochester. Home to a 12th-century Norman Castle, a Cathedral and tales of Charles Dickens, with all this ancient history Upnor just may get overshadowed.

In my honest opinion, the quaint little village of Upnor and its castle is an English Heritage treat.
 
To access Upnor Castle on the riverfront, you get the pleasure of strolling down through the picturesque High Street of Upnor’s lovely village.

Upnor High Street

Looking up Upnor Hight Street

You pass by lovingly maintained pretty clapboard homes and tiny stores along the cobbled road,
all in just a 200-metre walk.
 
What’s even better is that you also wander by two traditional English pubs, serving local food and ales. The King’s Arms at the top of the street and The Tudor Rose a Shepherd Neame inn a local brewery from Faversham, Kent.

The front of Upnor Castle

Trained on the Dutch

Upnor Castle was built by order of Queen Elizabeth I, between 1559 and 1567 as an artillery fort. It was constructed to protect the Royal Naval fleet at Chatham Dockyard and the ships anchored in the River Medway.

However, 100 years later, it didn’t quite go to plan.

The Battle of Medway exhibition

The spiral staircase

The tunnels under Upnor Castle

When we have since visited The Netherlands, we have occasionally asked the locals, young and old, if they are aware of the Battle of Medway. Strangely more said that they hadn’t heard of it, than those that had.

Following the attack on the neglected Upnor Castle, it no longer survived as a fortress. New forts and garrisons were built further along the River Medway during the late 1800s.

Upnor Castle

However, it didn’t put an end to Upnor Castle; it soon became converted into a “Magazine”. A storage and depot for munitions of guns, gun carriages, gun powder & muskets.

Powder Barrels

By 1691 it had come into its own, it was now England’s largest Magazine by far and outshining Tower of London, the next largest Magazine.
 
With Upnor Castle’s location being so close to Chatham Dockyard it was the primary source of supply to the Royal Navy warships, arriving at the dockyard for replenishment.

The firepower at Upnor Castle

Once you’ve discovered the internal aspects of Upnor Castle, step outside as you are in for a treat.
 
Head out onto the triangular gun platform overlooking the River Medway, the view is superb. It’s incredibly difficult to comprehend how it would have looked with the English and Dutch naval ships in an intense battle.

The River Medway from Upnor Castle

Cannons in place at Upnor Castle

You can catch a train from London St Pancras or London Victoria to Rochester Station. Upnor Castle is located 3.5 miles from Rochester.
 
Nearby free parking is available.

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You can reach it from from London, or if you're visiting Kent make it part of exploring Medway.

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