Upnor Castle, Tudor artillery fort in Frindsbury Extra, United Kingdom.
Upnor Castle is a fortress made of stone and brick that sits along the western bank of the River Medway with a triangular gun platform angled toward the water. The two-story structure was designed so artillery could target ships entering or leaving the river.
The fortress was built between 1559 and 1567 on orders from Elizabeth I to protect the ships at Chatham Dockyard from Spanish attacks. It played a crucial role during a major sea crisis in the late 1600s.
The castle shows how people in the 1500s positioned defenses along rivers to guard their most valuable ships. You can still see how the gun platforms faced the water and how the walls dominated the valley.
The castle operates as a museum with military displays and offers guided tours for visitors. Access is by footpath and the structure has older stairways and narrow passages to navigate.
The castle played a key role in 1667 when a Dutch fleet attacked and the small garrison managed to save the ships upstream. This event is often overlooked but marked a turning point in how the site defended itself.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Dickens World
748 m
Kent Police Museum
1.1 km
Millennium Milepost The Kings Arms
154 m
Odeon Chatham
722 m
Ship's Figurehead from the Arethusa
778 m
Wall Extending Ne From Upnor Castle Along The River Medway
226 m
The Tudor Rose Public House
90 m
Obelisk (New London Stone), Upnor
748 m
Chatham Dockyard, the Mast Pond
1 km
Beacon and pillbox on Beacon Hill
891 m
Numbers 4 5 And 6 Slip Covers And Machine Shop Number 6
1.1 km
Former Mast House And Mould Loft
1.2 km
Chatham Dockyard, site of South Mast Pond
1.1 km
Upnor Castle House
112 m
Chatham Dockyard, covered slip to N of No 5 Slip
998 m
Number 7 Slip Cover And Machine Shop Number 3
1 km
3, High Street
135 m
Combined Ship Trade Office Pp69 To Rear Of Number 8 Machine Shop
828 m
12-18, High Street
128 m
Boundary Stone (Old London Stone) , Upnor
750 m
Chatham Dockyard, the Lower Boat Store
1 km
30-32, High Street
107 m
Bell Mast.
911 m
Pumping Station
534 m
Chatham Dockyard, No 61 Boat Store, Nos 4 and 5 Slips
1.1 km
Number 3 Slip Cover
1.2 km
Number 8 Machine Shop
877 m
Boilershop
840 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes