Upnor Castle

Upnor Castle stands on the west bank of the River Medway in Kent, a short distance downriver from the former Chatham Dockyard. Built between 1559 and 1567 on orders from Elizabeth I, it was designed to protect the Royal Navy ships anchored nearby. The fort consists of a two-storey main building enclosed by a curtain wall and towers, with a triangular gun platform jutting into the river. About 80 soldiers garrisoned the castle, armed with up to 20 cannon of different sizes. The site was chosen for its position overlooking a wide, sheltered stretch of water where ships could anchor safely. The castle’s moment of fame came in June 1667 when the Dutch launched a surprise raid up the Medway. Dutch warships captured two English ships and burned others at Chatham, but Upnor Castle held firm. Gunfire from the fort and nearby emplacements forced the attackers to retreat after two days. The raid revealed weaknesses in the Medway defences and led to Upnor Castle being stripped of its artillery role. New forts were built further downriver, and the castle became a naval ammunition store, holding large quantities of gunpowder and cannon until 1945. Today the castle is open to visitors as an English Heritage site. Inside, the main block and water bastion show the original Elizabethan design, while later additions include a gatehouse and moat. The triangular gun platform still projects into the river, offering views of the Medway’s calm waters. The curtain wall and flanking towers remain, and the deep ditch dug in the early 17th century can still be seen. The surrounding area includes traces of the old sconces and the chain once stretched across the river to block enemy ships.