Upnor Castle
Kent, England
Photo: Phil Pead, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Prioryman, CC BY-SA 4.0 ยท Prioryman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass
- Nearest station
- Strood, 1.4 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Elizabethan artillery fort; managed by Medway Council
Pinpoint
Upnor Rd, Upper Upnor, Rochester ME2 4XG
Telephone 01634 718742
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
Guided Tours on the last Sunday of each month until October
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- About 20 free spaces roughly 200 metres away, shared with Upnor village.
- Access
- Wheelchair access is limited to the grounds, with a ramp into the Lower Magazine; no disabled parking on site.
- Facilities
- Toilets with baby changing and a small shop in the ticket office (reached by a few steps); no cafe, but picnic benches are provided.
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs only; other dogs are not allowed.
- Safety
- Supervise children near the banks of the River Medway; uneven surfaces and several steep slopes.
An Elizabethan artillery fort built to guard the Royal Navy's ships moored on the Medway, most notable for failing to stop the Dutch fleet's raid up the river in 1667 - an event that reshaped English coastal defences afterwards. It's compact but atmospheric, with old, uneven steps and low headroom in places, set at the bottom of a cobbled slope in the village of Upnor.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The story of the 1667 Dutch raid - reviewers say it's what makes an otherwise small fort worth the visit.
Before you go
There's free parking a five-minute walk away down a cobbled, sloping road; mind your head and footing inside, as reviewers note some low, uneven areas, though the views over the river from the bottom are worth the walk down.
What visitors say
Upnor Castle reviews · 4.3 / 5 across 1,273 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently enjoy Upnor Castle's naval history, particularly the story of the Dutch raid on the Medway, and praise the friendly staff and river views.
Several mention it's a compact, fairly quick visit of an hour or two, easily combined with the nearby free car park.
A few flag that the old steps and passages can be dark, uneven, and low-headed, and that some areas could use a bit of maintenance.
“A compact but atmospheric site, Upnor Castle is a must for anyone interested in naval history, especially the dramatic Dutch raid that reshaped English coastal defences.”- Stefan 020, visitor review
Within reach of Southend-on-Sea (12 miles), London (29 miles) - see what else is nearby.
History
Elizabeth I · 1559-1567
An Elizabethan artillery fort built between 1559 and 1567 on the orders of Elizabeth I to protect the Medway and Chatham dockyard. In 1667 the Dutch fleet breached its defences during a naval raid, exposing weaknesses in English coastal defences.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Parked in the free car park nearby and was the first person there.” - Feizal Mowlabocus
- Terrain & accessibility
- “Be aware that it can be a bit dark in places with old uneven steps and low headroom.” - Feizal Mowlabocus
- Facilities
- “Several good places to have picnics.” - Nicky Cox
Common questions about Upnor Castle
Where is Upnor Castle?
Upnor Castle is in Kent, England, at Upnor Rd, Upper Upnor, Rochester ME2 4XG.
Do you need a ticket to visit Upnor Castle?
Yes - Upnor Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by English Heritage. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Upnor Castle?
The story of the 1667 Dutch raid - reviewers say it's what makes an otherwise small fort worth the visit.
Is Upnor Castle a ruin or still intact?
Upnor Castle is largely intact - Elizabethan artillery fort; managed by Medway Council.
