Upnor Castle Access Statement
Medway Council has a commitment to the provision of high quality services and endeavours to understand and meet individual customer needs.
The council strives to provide a quality experience to all and is committed to providing accessibility for all visitors where possible.
Upnor Castle is an historic building which can be challenging for some visitors with disabilities. The castle staff will be pleased to help you. For information and assistance please see our Accessibility Statement for the castle.
Before you visit
Upnor Castle is open from 10am to 6pm from April to September and from 10am to 4pm in October. Last admissions are 45 minutes before closing. The castle is closed from November to March.
Public Transport
The 197 bus service to Upnor, Mondays to Saturdays, is provided by ASD Coaches. Phone 01634 726419 for timetables.
Parking
There is a car park in Upper Upnor, 150 yards (139m) from the castle entrance.
Non disabled drivers can drive down the High Street and drop off disabled passengers at the castle gates. There is no space to turn around at the bottom of the High Street, so vehicles will have to reverse.
There are two parking spaces for disabled drivers in the castle grounds. Please telephone in advance to reserve these parking spaces.
The castle often holds weddings and events which may mean there is no access for cars at these times.
Refreshments
The Sergeants' Mess building contains a tea and coffee machine. The entrance is up three steps and across a gravel surface.
Toilet Facilities
Toilets are immediately inside the castle gates and up five steps. There are no disabled toilets.
Entrance and Reception
The entrance into the castle is cobbled. Entrance to the ticket office is up four steep steps, that have no hand rail or markings. There is a hearing induction loop installed in the reception counter. Information panels in English and French meet the requirements for visually-impaired visitors.
Castle Grounds
A gravel path approximately 1m wide takes visitors up to the castle. To the left is a grassed slope that leads to the picnic area. The picnic area is flat with two picnic benches with long edges to accommodate wheelchairs.
Access to the castle buildings is down three large steps. Gatehouse and Courtyard Entrance to the gatehouse is via a small doorway opening in the main door. The main doors can be opened on request.
Access to the courtyard from the gatehouse is on the same level. The courtyard is on the same level and is a mixture of grass and stone slabs, some of which are uneven.
Magazine
The magazine is reached through a doorway with a low step. There is a low ramp to provide assistance through the doorway. The lower magazine is on one level. Lighting levels are low in the lower magazine. The upper magazine is reached via a narrow staircase with a turn in it.
Water Bastion
Access to the water bastion is via a narrow spiral staircase. The water bastion is on one level. Exit from the bastion is via a tunnel and then steps. There is another entry to the bastion but this also involves steps.
North and South Towers
Both towers have lips at their entrance doorways and the upper levels are accessed via steps. In the south tower there is a rope in place of a handrail.
Contact Information
Upnor Castle
Upper Upnor
Rochester
Kent ME2 4XG
Phone and fax: 01634 718742 Email: [email protected]
Other useful numbers
Visitor Information Centre: 01634 338141
Medway Council Customer Services: 01634 333333
Customer Services minicom: 01634 333111
