Address: Upnor Rd, Upper Upnor, Rochester ME2 4XG, United Kingdom
Phone: +441634718742
Rating: 4.3
based on 164 reviews.
Grounds and Surroundings
Pros:
"One of the most amazing and interesting castles in North Kent. It's very well managed and looked after. Really incredible history."
"Picturesque cobbled street from the car park to the fort, nice grounds, great views over the Medway."
"Set in tranquil grounds, in the picturesque riverside village of Upnor, stands this rare and wonderfully preserved Elizabethan artillery fortress."
"Staff were friendly and helpful, toilets were clean and the grounds were tidy and well kept."
"Lovely little gem hidden away. The approach down a beautiful cobbled street leading to the entrance adds to its appeal with great views over the Medway."
"The Castle is set on the banks of the River Medway with gorgeous views, the smallish gardens in the Castle are pleasant and well kept with plenty of picnic benches."
"This place is amazing. The grounds are stunning and the view across the river is superb."
Cons:
"There is no seating on the benches in the grounds... but on the council bench outside the gate you can all sit, does that really make sense?"
"The downside is ascending the multiple spiral staircases that do not all have handrails or just a rope- they have nothing."
"However without these and the entertainment would be expensive for families to visit."
"A bit of a non event unfortunately. A few empty rooms with very scant information dotted around the north and south towers."
"Although listed by English Heritage as included for free entry for Ukrainian refugees Medway Council refuse to honour this!"
"The staff are very abrupt!"
"Rude staff on entrance who couldn't care less."
Accessibility and Facilities
Pros:
"A great place for a quick visit set in lovely grounds toilets 🚻 on site and great little shop."
"There is a very small free public car park near by with 2 or 3 disabled parking bays available."
"There is also a free car park as you approach the village, best to park here as limited parking and turning space beyond this."
"The grounds are well kept and there's tables and benches for having a picnic."
"There is an outside picnic area at the top of the hill behind the castle with benches."
"There is a small shop which sells ice-cream and gifts, a little self service coffee area but no cafe."
"There are picnic benches though so perfect to bring a picnic, or make use of one of the 2 historic pubs which are right on the doorstep."
Cons:
"Remember it's an old castle fort with lots of steps, accessibility wasn't a thing when it was built so it's not really advisable for people with mobility issues."
"Upnor Castle is worth visiting but not suitable for anyone in a wheelchair."
"Wouldn't recommend coming here if you have mobility issues as access isn't great."
"The castle has quite a lot of steps within it and says that some areas are not suitable for wheelchairs but I think anyone who has difficulties with walking would struggle to see a lot of this castle as nearly all the area had stairs to go either up or down."
"Lots of steps up the towers so not suitable for people with disabilities."
"No cafe onside so bring a picnic!"
"Be warned though do not follow sat nav to gate it is a tiny road with nowhere to turn and no parking although I got a round of applause for reversing up it again from the pub customers on the corner."
Staff and Service
Pros:
"Staff were friendly and helpful, toilets were clean and the grounds were tidy and well kept."
"The staff were incredibly friendly and offered great local advice."
"We held our wedding ceremony here...what a wonderful, amazing day! The staff at the castle were friendly, helpful and reassuring throughout."
"The staff were so helpful & pleasant & this place was one of the highlights of our holiday."
"Very knowledgeable staff who gave us lots of information."
"Staff very welcoming and pleasant!"
"The staff (English Heritage) are really friendly and helpful."
Cons:
"The staff are very abrupt!"
"Rude staff on entrance who couldn't care less."
"Never known such miserable staff at a tourist attraction! No greeting, offer of guide or audio tour."
"The woman in the ticket office was very unfriendly and seemed irritated by my membership card."
"Found the staff to be rather brash which is unlike other English Heritage sites visited who have all been very welcoming and polite."
"Staff member incredibly rude and intimidating."
"Some of the staff that were walking about the place but didn't even give you eye contact let alone talk to you."
Value and Experience
Pros:
"Kids really loved running up and down the steps though, it has maintained its authenticity and really feels like stepping back in time."
"Had a lovely day here at Upnor the Castle or should I say the Fort was very interesting loads of information about the history of the area and of the the Fort itself."
"A delightful morning, shame the weather wasn't better but nonetheless Upnor Castle was an interesting visit."
"This is a great place to take the whole family, children will love it here."
"All in all we enjoyed our visit and would recommend to come to Upnor if for the atmosphere alone."
"Yeah ok it's not a huge castle, but to go there means half a day of pleasure and when you leave you'll have some good memories."
"Visited with my daughter and her children to follow the Halloween trail. Entertaining for all of us very interesting displays."
Cons:
"However without these and the entertainment would be expensive for families to visit."
"A bit of a non event unfortunately. A few empty rooms with very scant information dotted around the north and south towers."
"More of a fort than castle, near on all rooms completely empty could have been better with more displays/history of place."
"Half of the castle rooms were empty maybe lacking some more displays / mannequins to really bring it to life."
"A nice place to wander around but at £6.40 per adult it's a bit expensive as there's not that much to see (mainly a bunch of empty rooms)."
"Not the best place i have ever been to. Not much to see or do."
"Wouldn't recommend wasting your money better off going for the view."