English Heritage have now assumed management of Upnor Castle.

The site will be open for tours on the last Sunday of every month, bookable via the English Heritage website.

Bookable tours will be available from Sunday, 31 May 2026.

Built on the orders of Queen Elizabeth I in 1559, Upnor Castle started life as a gun fort to defend her warships at anchor.

Upnor Castle was an important link in the defence of The Historic Dockyard in Chatham, although proved ineffective when the Dutch sailed up the Medway during the Second Anglo-Dutch War in June 1667. During the invasion they successfully destroyed and captured a large number of Navy ships on the Medway.

Uncover this story during a visit to the castle and also take the opportunity to explore the grounds, the views across the Medway from its superb vantage point, and take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque Kent riverside village of Upnor.