Situated on the banks of the River Medway, this attractive turreted castle is set in a picturesque village area backed by rolling, wooded hills.
Upnor 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.
From Wed, 2 April 2025
Our new multi-media guide takes you on a fully narrated journey around the site, with expert sections by Military Historians and reenactors, interactives and quizzes, it is a great way to get inside the history of the castle.
The Dutch Raid
Watch this short film on the 1667 Dutch invasion on Chatham.
An audio-visual interpretation in English and Dutch tells the story of this raid in graphic manner, showing how the enemy ships breached the river defences, sailing on up the river to destroy much of the British fleet.
The gatehouse and main body of the castle are open for viewing and for a nominal charge.
Download our Battle of Medway Guide (pdf)
Download our Dutch Raid Children's Education Activity Booklet (pdf)
Download our Dutch Raid Children's Education Activity Booklet Answer Sheet (pdf)
For many, marrying in a castle satisfies a childhood dream of being a princess for a day.
Upnor Castle offers a fabulous backdrop - both inside and out, to frame your perfect day.
Set in the picturesque village of Upper Upnor with cobbled, narrow streets on the banks of the River Medway.
Entering the castle via the studded oak doors, you find the perfect setting for your special day in a place fit for a princess!
Click here to discover more...
Can you find all the coloured Easter eggs and write down how many the Easter Bunny has dropped?
Sat, 5 Apr – Sun, 20 Apr, 10am-4pm
Ships and their flags Trail
There were a lot of different wars in the 1600’s in England and there were many different ships sailing around Medway. Can you tell us which country they are from?
Sat, 19 Jul – Sun, 31 Aug, 10am-6pm
Admission charges apply. Trail Free.
Fri, 30 May 2025
Come and meet PC G.H. Palmer as he talks you through all things crime and punishment in Victorian times, and why there is a policeman in a photo of the castle from 1900.
Sun, 15 June 2025
Join the famous diarist on site as he takes you through important events at in 1667, and how he wrote about them in the most famous diary in the world.
Sat, 12 & Sun, 13 July 2025
Join members of the 79th Highlander Regiment of Foote as they camp at Upnor Castle this summer for military training. They will give demonstrations of musket firing, drills and equipment.
Wed, 23 July 2025
If this were played upon a stage now, I could condemn it as an improbable fiction
Shipwrecked on an unknown shore, Viola is separated from her twin brother Sebastian. She thinks he’s dead. He thinks she’s dead. And everyone else has no idea which one’s which.
Viola embraces a secret new identity by disguising herself as a boy to work for the Duke Orsino. She falls in love with him, but he’s already in love with Olivia. Olivia then falls for Viola thinking she’s Sebastian.
Who’s who? Who’s in love with who? Confusion, misdemeanour and farce abound in this fast-paced comedy full of gender and sexual ambiguity, where none of the characters really know what’s going on!
If music be the food of love, play on
Thur, 31 July 2025
Join Dr Digby Rocks as he brings his exciting evidence of his explorations to Upnor Castle – learn all about archaeology and amazing finds with lots of hands on fun.
Fri, 1 August 2025
Quantum Theatre bring their new adaptation of the much-loved Beatrix Potter Tale, The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck to Upnor Castle this summer.
Prevented from hatching her eggs at the farm, foolish Jemima goes in search of a nesting place in the forest and soon she meets a charming ‘whiskered gentleman’ who offers her the perfect nesting place in his wood-shed.
But why is his wood-shed full of feathers and why is he asking her to collect the herbs for roast duck? Kip the farm dog fears the worst…
Michael Whitmore's delightful new adaptation is packed full of songs, action and drama, with a score by Gideon Escott, and is guaranteed to to delight and enthrall all ages.
Please bring something to sit on and come dressed for the weather.
Sat, 21 September 2025
Join Commander Blunt by the river to learn all about life as an Elizabethan Pirate.
Thur, 23 Oct 2025
Join the fun and interactive WW2 Bomb Squad at Upnor Castle this half term to find out more about life as a child in WW2, how to join the bomb Squad and what jobs you would do to keep everyone safe at a time of great danger.
Click here to download Upnor Castle's Accessibility Guide (pdf format).
For private hire and weddings please email us.
The castle will be closed on the following dates for weddings:
There will be a small charge to English Heritage Visitors to the castle on events days:
Outdoor Theatre will be at Upnor Castle during evenings on 23 July (Twelfth Night) & 1 August (Jemima Puddleduck).
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Address
Upnor Castle Upnor Castle Upper Upnor Rochester ME2 4XG
Links
Open Wednesday to Sundays from 2 April, from 10am-6pm (last admission 5.15pm) until 30 September. Winter hours start Wednesday, 1 to Friday, 31 October, 10am-4pm (closed 3.15pm). Closed 1 November to 31 March.
