What's on in Kent - 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

Summer Proms at Fort Amherst - Marconi Systems Brass Band

Join us every Sunday from 21st July - 1st September, for an afternoon of FREE live music in our amphitheatre (from 1400)

Bring your own picnic or purchase from one of our vendors.

It is advisable to dress for the weather and bring your own chair as limited seating... (click below to read more)

When: Sun 28 07 2024 at 2:00 pm

Until: Sun 28 07 2024 at 2:00 pm

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Spare a Fort for Bees

Join us for a unique experience meeting the Fort Amherst bees.

The experience lasts approximately 3 hours and includes a lunch in the Pantry.

Discover the importance of bees, then don your beekeeper suit and get close up and meet them whilst they are hard ... (click below to read more)

When: Sat 03 08 2024 at 11:00 am

Until: Sat 03 08 2024 at 2:00 pm

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Summer Proms at Fort Amherst - The Cockney Knights

Join us every Sunday from 21st July - 1st September, for an afternoon of FREE live music in our amphitheatre (from 1400)

Bring your own picnic or purchase from one of our vendors.

It is advisable to dress for the weather and bring your own chair as limited seating... (click below to read more)

When: Sun 04 08 2024 at 2:00 pm

Until: Sun 04 08 2024 at 4:00 pm

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Spare a Fort for Bees

Join us for a unique experience meeting the Fort Amherst bees.

The experience lasts approximately 3 hours and includes a lunch in the Pantry.

Discover the importance of bees, then don your beekeeper suit and get close up and meet them whilst they are hard ... (click below to read more)

When: Sat 10 08 2024 at 11:00 am

Until: Sat 10 08 2024 at 2:00 pm

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Summer Proms at Fort Amherst - 5 in the Bar

Join us every Sunday from 21st July - 1st September, for an afternoon of FREE live music in our amphitheatre (from 1400)

Bring your own picnic or purchase from one of our vendors.

It is advisable to dress for the weather and bring your own chair as limited seating... (click below to read more)

When: Sun 11 08 2024 at 2:00 pm

Until: Sun 11 08 2024 at 4:00 pm

View event

Spare a Fort for Bees

Join us for a unique experience meeting the Fort Amherst bees.

The experience lasts approximately 3 hours and includes a lunch in the Pantry.

Discover the importance of bees, then don your beekeeper suit and get close up and meet them whilst they are hard ... (click below to read more)

When: Sat 17 08 2024 at 11:00 am

Until: Sat 17 08 2024 at 2:00 pm

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Summer Proms at Fort Amherst - The Spittin Feathers

Join us every Sunday from 21st July - 1st September, for an afternoon of FREE live music in our amphitheatre (from 1400)

Bring your own picnic or purchase from one of our vendors.

It is advisable to dress for the weather and bring your own chair as limited seating... (click below to read more)

When: Sun 18 08 2024 at 2:00 pm

Until: Sun 18 08 2024 at 4:00 pm

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Summer Proms at Fort Amherst - Toot n Skamen

Join us every Sunday from 21st July - 1st September, for an afternoon of FREE live music in our amphitheatre (from 1400)

Bring your own picnic or purchase from one of our vendors.

It is advisable to dress for the weather and bring your own chair as limited seating... (click below to read more)

When: Sun 25 08 2024 at 2:00 pm

Until: Sun 25 08 2024 at 4:00 pm

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Summer Proms at Fort Amherst - Marvellous Mo & The Backline Ferrets

Join us every Sunday from 21st July - 1st September, for an afternoon of FREE live music in our amphitheatre (from 1400)

Bring your own picnic or purchase from one of our vendors.

It is advisable to dress for the weather and bring your own chair as limited seating... (click below to read more)

When: Sun 01 09 2024 at 2:00 pm

Until: Fri 27 09 2024 at 4:00 pm

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Halloween Horrors - Children

Must be accompanied by an Adult (18+)
- 1 adult ticket included per order
- Extra adults cost £10 per ticket
- Tours run every 30 minutes between 11:00am and 2pm

When: Wed 23 10 2024 at 11:00 am

Until: Fri 01 11 2024 at 3:00 pm

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Halloween Horrors - Adult

The extreme full experience, one long maze from start to finish.
Teen & Adult tours run every 10 minutes from 6pm - 10pm.
Any person under 16 years old must be accompanied by a full paying adult (18+).

When: Thu 24 10 2024 at 5:00 pm

Until: Sat 02 11 2024 at 9:00 pm

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