Cliffe Fort

Cliffe Fort is a disused artillery fort built in the 1860s to guard the Thames from attack. It stands on the south bank of the river at the entrance to Cliffe Creek, on the Hoo Peninsula in North Kent. The fort was constructed during a period of tension with France and replaced an older battery at Lower Hope Point. Its marshy site caused problems from the start, leading to cracks and subsidence during construction. The fort was equipped with large-calibre artillery guns and, later, a launcher for the Brennan torpedo, described as the world’s first practical guided missile. Cliffe Fort served for about 60 years as an artillery fort, from 1870 to 1927. It was later repurposed during World War II as an anti-aircraft battery to defend London. The fort’s military use ended after the war when it was sold to a neighbouring aggregates works. Today, it lies derelict, overgrown and heavily flooded, with no public access. Its deteriorating condition has led to its recognition as an "at risk" heritage asset. Visitors cannot enter the fort, but its ruined structure and flooded surroundings remain visible. The fort’s casemates, magazines and gun emplacements still stand, though damaged by time and water. Traces of the Brennan torpedo launcher, including one surviving slipway and parts of a control tower, can be seen on the roof. The earthworks and moat, once part of its defences, are now softened by vegetation. The site offers a quiet, haunting glimpse into its military past, despite its neglected state.