About
Upnor Castle was built on Elizabeth I's orders to protect warships anchored near Chatham Dockyard, its gun positions facing the River Medway from the edge of a small riverside village. Begun in 1559 and strengthened around the turn of the century, it was tested during the Dutch raid of 1667, when enemy ships passed the defences and attacked the fleet. The surviving artillery fort offers a compact visit with river views, old stairways and rooms that explain this episode of naval history. Visitors often remember the views through the towers and the contrast between the quiet setting and the events it witnessed. Access is by pre-booked guided tour, so arrange a place before travelling rather than assuming the castle opens for casual visits. The nearby village car park is followed by a walk along a cobbled street, and there are steep steps inside. Only assistance dogs are admitted.
Check today’s timesSee all times
- Upnor CastleClosed; pre-booked guided tours only
Opening times may change at short notice.
Guided tours at 13:00 and 15:00 on the last Sunday of the month through October. The current booking calendar offers 27 September and 25 October 2026; availability is limited and advance booking is required. No routine daily opening.
Pre-booking is required for every visit. EH-member free entry is listed in the 2026/27 tariff schedule; bring your membership card and select member admission in the booking process. National Trust membership alone does not cover entry.
Accessibility: Cobbled approach street, slopes, steep historic stairs and the water bastion require care. Contact EH in advance about the guided tour's accessible areas.
Parking: Free village parking with about 20 shared spaces, approximately 200 metres from the castle. Cross the village road and follow the cobbled High Street; additional parking is in Lower Upnor.
English Heritage took over management from Medway Council on 19 May 2026. Visits require pre-booked guided tours; older reviews describe the former daily council operation.
Photo: Phil Pead. CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Upnor_Castle_trimmed.jpg. Resized for display.
Dogs at the location: Not allowed. Assistance dogs are welcome; no other dogs are allowed.
Dog walks in the grounds: Not allowed. Pet dogs are not allowed in the castle visitor site or grounds.
Dog walks in the surrounding area: Not confirmed. Not confirmed: no route with explicit dog permission outside this property was established on the official pages checked.
Leads: Pet dogs are not admitted; assistance-dog lead rules not confirmed separately.
Seasonal dog restrictions: Not confirmed separately; follow any temporary on-site restrictions.
PricingFree with English Heritage membershipEH memberFree entryNon-member£8.50
Free entry with English Heritage membership
Entry
Non-member prices
Adult£8.50
Child (5-17)£4.25
Under 5s (0-4)Free
Senior£7.65
Student£7.65
Pricing details
Pre-booked guided-tour tariff checked for 27 September and 25 October 2026, without optional donations. Pre-booking is required for every visit. EH-member free entry is listed in the 2026/27 tariff schedule; bring your membership card and select member admission in the booking process. National Trust membership alone does not cover entry.
ParkingFree parkingFree for all visitors
No charge for anyone.
Parking details
Free village parking with about 20 shared spaces, approximately 200 metres from the castle. Cross the village road and follow the cobbled High Street; additional parking is in Lower Upnor.
Follow current signs and any operator conditions.
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