Upnor Castle
Assessed by
Overview
Situated on the banks of the River Medway, Upnor Castle is set in a picturesque village area backed by rolling, wooded hills. Steeped in history, this turreted castle was originally built on the orders of Queen Elizabeth I in 1559 as a gun fort to defend her warships at anchor in the reaches of the Medway and Chatham Dockyard. Although the castle was an important link in the defence line, it was not well maintained and proved ineffective when the Dutch, under the command of Admiral de Ruyter, sailed up the Medway in June 1667 to attack the dockyard. The enemy fleet met very little resistance and when it left two days later, it had destroyed or captured a large number of the Royal Navy ships anchored at Chatham.
Ratings & awards
VisitEngland Quality Assessed
Features
- Children
- Suitable for children of all ages
- Facilities
- Parking nearby
- Cafe
- Opening Times
About the area
Kent is home to the White Cliffs of Dover, an English icon that marks the point where the Kent Downs AONB stretches from the Surrey Hills down to the sea. Visitors can explore historic parklands, including Knole Park and Sir Winston Churchill’s former home at Chartwell, or beautiful nature reserves, such as the coppiced woodlands of Denge Wood and Earley Wood and the ancient fine chalk woodland of Yockletts Bank.
Places to eat nearby View all
Nearby places to stay
View all (8)
Nearby places to stay
King Charles Hotel
Originally built as a servicemen’s club for the NAAFI in the 1940s, the King Charles Hotel is close to the centre of Gillingham. Facilities include the Lounge Bar and Aurora Restaurant,...
Decoy Farm Holiday Cottages
A working fruit farm that makes the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, with views across the RSPB Northward Hill Nature Reserve for watching barn owls, herons,...
The Inn on the Lake Hotel
The Inn on the Lake is a modern and luxurious hotel set in 12 acres of stunning woodland with three beautiful lakes. With elegant and comfortable bedrooms, the Willow Restaurant, Fisher...
Kits Coty Glamping
Kits Coty Glamping is located in glorious North Downs countryside between Maidstone and Chatham, with far-reaching views across the Medway Valley. The well-landscaped paddock is home to...
Kent Coast Leisure Park
Located in a peaceful country park setting beside the Thames estuary close to Rochester, just an hour's drive from London, Allhallows is a popular static-only holiday park. Recent signi...
Sandhole Barn
Sandhole Barn provides a comfortable and convenient base for a relaxing short break in the Kent countryside. It is ideally situated to explore the many local attractions or to visit Lon...
Sandhole Barn
Sandhole Barn provides a comfortable and convenient base for a relaxing short break in the Kent countryside. It is ideally situated to explore the many local attractions or to visit Lon...
Black Horse Inn
In quiet rural surroundings, on the Pilgrims Way with easy access to the M20, less than an hour from London, stands the historic and pet-friendly Black Horse Inn. It has retained plenty...
