Upnor Castle: A Forgotten Gem with a Dramatic Past

Step inside Upnor Castle, Kent’s overlooked Elizabethan gunnery fortress with a history as dramatic as any battlefield. Built to defend the Chatham Dockyard and the Royal Navy, this hidden gem saw its greatest test in 1667, when it stood against the Dutch fleet in a fierce river battle. Join Kevin Hicks of The History Squad as he explores its unique design, wartime secrets, and surprising survival. Expect cannons, wartime intrigue, and a tour packed with fascinating details you won’t find in the guidebook.

CORRECTION NOTE:
In the video, AT 4:09, I identified a mark on the stonework as the broad arrow of the Board of Ordnance, used to show Crown property. On closer inspection, the mark actually has a small slash above it, which makes it an Ordnance Survey benchmark.
The Board of Ordnance (Tudor period) supplied the army and navy, built fortifications, and used the broad arrow to mark Crown property. In 1791, the Ordnance Survey was created under them to map Britain, and that’s when the slash was added to the arrow symbol.
An easy mistake to make given the location — but a fascinating detail! 👍

We’re proud to support the work of English Heritage in preserving our history. Discover more about Upnor Castle or plan your visit here: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/v...

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CREDITS:
Upnor Tunnels © G Scammell via Alamy
Upnor Tunnel room © Tref via Alamy
Music: Swashbuckler by Premium Beat via Envato Elements