Fort Amherst

Fort Amherst is a free-to-visit* historical site the whole family can enjoy, with 20 acres of green space all linked to the Great Lines Heritage Park. Built during Napoleonic times to defend Medway from a land-based attack, Fort Amherst has been restored to reflect its national and local importance.

Take pride in local history; explore a maze of underground defensive tunnels; enjoy spectacular views; step back in time to imagine the life of a Napoleonic soldier; and discover Fort Amherst’s strategic role in defending Medway in both World War I and World War II.

Fort Amherst’s main purpose was the defence of Chatham Dockyard from a landward attack by an invading army. With nearly two miles of ramparts, gun positions, barracks and underground works it was a formidable obstacle! Part of the site included a chalk pit with caves. These caves were extended between 1776 and 1805, creating underground tunnels and gun positions that would be well protected in the event of a siege – and allow the enemy to be fired on without being seen. The tunnels were equipped with a well, privies (toilets), gun positions, musket galleries and defendable gateways.

Today Fort Amherst has 20 acres of grounds to explore with walk-in access from the Great Lines Heritage Park by the Naval Memorial, from Amherst Redoubt by the Garrison Church on Maxwell Road, Brompton and from Barrack Hill off Dock Road, Chatham. There are also tunnel tours, however these are unavailable until after our Halloween event. During your visit make sure to visit The Pantry Café for a bite to eat, here you can also buy a guide book to help you explore.

Ground opening times are seasonal so please check our website to avoid disappointment.

*There is a charge for tunnel tours and some special events.

Upcoming Events

Ghost Tour

Are you ready to be spooked?
Tour includes the tunnels and upper sections
of the Fort.

Tunnels
Some say they can feel a change in atmosphere the moment they enter the tunnels, others that every underground nook and cranny has been the scene of some unexplaine... (click below to read more)

When: Fri 28 02 2025 at 7:30 pm

Until: Fri 28 02 2025 at 9:15 pm

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Fort Amherst Fantasy Festival

On Easter Sunday and Monday, the historic tunnels of Fort Amherst will be transformed into a child-friendly fantasy world of make believe and science fiction. The tunnels will be home to a spectacle of fairies and goblins, Star Wars characters, Pirates of the Caribbean... (click below to read more)

When: Sun 20 04 2025 at 10:00 am

Until: Mon 21 04 2025 at 4:00 pm

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4 Paws at the Fort

After the huge success of our first 4 Paws at the Fort, this event will be returning on 24th & 25th May 2025 and even better KIDS GO FREE!!

A full weekend, from 10:00 - 16:00, of woofy excitement for our four legged friends.

Adult ticket price from £7.00 (... (click below to read more)

When: Sat 24 05 2025 at 10:00 am

Until: Sun 25 05 2025 at 4:00 pm

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Divorced, Beheaded, Died

His Majesty invites his loyal subjects to petition him...

The year is 1544 and King Henry, the Eighth of that name, is engaged upon a Royal Progress about his Realm. He has halted here, in Chatham, to afford his loyal subjects the opportunity to have an audience ... (click below to read more)

When: Fri 18 07 2025 at 7:00 pm

Until: Sat 19 07 2025 at 9:00 pm

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Gallery