Local Business

Upnor shops | What’s available in the village (and nearby)

November 10, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Upnor is a quiet and quant village along the banks of the river Medway. While it does have a High Street, there is very little in the way of Upnor shops. So what is actually available to buy (or browse) in Upnor?

Upnor Shops

Technically, Upnor has no traditional shops. The village does not have a corner store, Off-License or Post Office, either.

Currently Upnor has four distinct pubs which all offer food as well. If you want more details, make sure to check out our post: “The Best 4 Upnor Pubs | Where to get a pint“

During Covid-19, the Kings Arms has been hosting a small shop within the pub, to help residents get the food they need. While this shop may not continue for long, it’s still extremely helpful when regular local shops are shut.

Upnor shops — The Kings Arms currently has the “Village Store” for Upnor residents

Upnor is also home to a new restaurant called “Coelho’s Picados & Skewer House” This Portuguese restaurant has taken the spot of Powder and Magazine, which closed in early 2020.

There is also a small gift shop in Upnor Castle, but that is closed during England’s second lockdown. For more details on when the castle will open (or details for planning your next visit), make sure to check out our article: “Your trip to Upnor Castle | Make it memorable“

Closest shops to Upnor

In terms of takeaways that serve Upnor, there’s actually quite a few great options. You can find details on our article: “The Best Takeaways in Upnor“

Co-Op

There are two Co-Ops quite close to Upnor village. One is part of the petrol station at the entrance to Medway City Estate. While it’s small, it still has the necessities available like milk, eggs, meat, fruit and vegetables. You can also get a small selection of alcohol, toiletries and cleaning supplies.

There is also a larger Co-Op in Wainscott, just down the road from Upnor. You’ll find more selection from this particular Co-Op without having to travel too far from the village. It’s typically open from 6am until 10pm most days, but make sure to check before visiting as there are changes due to Covid-19.

Often missed, there is a tiny Co-Op location at Chatham’s Dockside, tucked away near the Ship and trades pub. Of course, there is little selection here but it’s helpful to know that it’s there.

Medway City Estate Co-Op address: Anthonys Way, Rochester ME2 4DW

Wainscott Co-Cop address: 4 Wainscott Road, Wainscott, Rochester ME2 4LB

Dockside Co-Op address: Ships and Trades, Maritime Way, St Mary’s Island, Chatham ME4 3ER

Tesco

There are two Tesco locations fairly close to Upnor – one Tesco Express and one Tesco Superstore. Naturally, the Express location will have a small selection of items while the Superstore is much more suited for a larger shop. However, you’ll need to travel into Strood to get to the Tesco Superstore.

Tesco Express address: Frindsbury Road, Rochester ME2 4JD

Tesco Superstore address: Charles Street, Rochester ME2 2DE

ASDA

There is a nearby ASDA Superstore and petrol station across the river in Gillingham. Depending on the time of day, this shop might be quicker to get to instead of driving into Strood.

ASDA Superstore address: Pier Road, Pier Approach Road, Gillingham ME7 1RZ

Chatham Dockyard

Across the river from Upnor is Chatham Dockyard and Chatham’s Dockside. The Dockyard is a great historical experience and a fun trip out for the whole family (currently closed until 2021).

Just down the road from the Dockyard is Chatham Dockside which has a few restaurants and fast-food locations, but not much in the way of groceries.

However there are some good shops here and it’s just a short drive from Upnor.

Notable shops at Chatham Dockside:

Clarks Outlet
Choice
Peacocks
The Range
Poundstretcher
ProCook
M&S Outlet

For food at Dockside, there is:

Burger King
Villagio
Starbucks
Taco Bell
Nandos
Pizza Hut
The Broadwick
Creams Cafe
Fireaway

Upnor Shops and the surrounding area

While there isn’t too much selection within Upnor itself, there are a lot of shops, resultants, pubs and takeaways that are nearby or at least service Upnor village. As locals, we definitely recommend Upnor’s pubs but you’ll need to leave the village for your weekly food shop or if you’re interested in shopping for clothing, gifts or other items.

The Best Takeaways in Upnor

August 17, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for takeaways in Upnor, you’re come to the right place! As Upnor residents, here are the best takeaways in Upnor (in our opinion).

Best food in Upnor

If you’re not familiar with the village, it’s good to know that Upnor is home to four historical pubs and one restaurant. There are two pubs in Lower Upnor (the Ship and the Pier) along with the Kings Arms and the Tudor Rose in Upper Upnor. You can find Upnor’s only restaurant in Lower Upnor “Coelho’s Picados & Skewer House” a new addition to the village.

So far, some of these pubs offer some kind of takeaway service, at least during Covid-19 restrictions. Many had to change their businesses to get through Covid-19 but it’s unclear if the Upnor pubs will continue to offer these type of services when business gets back to normal.

Thankfully, if they don’t continue to offer takeaway services, there are plenty of restaurants and takeaway that serve Upnor. Make sure to check if your favourite takeaway services Upnor before moving to the village!

Best takeaways in Upnor

Aside from the pubs and restaurant, there are no typical “fast food” options or takeaways within the village itself. However, there are tons of places that will deliver to Upnor.

Uber Eats

Uber Eats will typically deliver to Upnor, from businesses like McDonalds, KFC, Creams Cafe, Taco Bell and Subway. If you’re looking for traditional fast food, Uber Eats is certainly a viable option. However, there’s not too much choice.

Keep in mind that Uber Eats will not deliver at all times during the day and some days there are no available drivers for deliveries. We’ve had instances where we’ve placed an order, waited, only for it to be cancelled hours later because there was no one available to deliver the order. Just something to keep in mind before you order!

Looking for an Uber Eats discount? Try using eats-uberrowesk for £15 off your first order! Every bit helps.

Just Eat

Our personal favourite for takeaways in Upnor is using Just Eat. They are reliable, affordable, easy and quick! There are numerous takeaways and restaurants listed on Just Eat that will deliver to Upnor (although many charge a delivery fee).

There’s something wonderful about ordering a Chinese takeaway after a long day at work. Our personal favourites on Just Eat are: Peking Express, Orchid Gardens and Ken’s Garden. Unlike Uber Eats, we’ve never had a Just Eat order go missing or never delivered. While the food quality can differ sometimes, overall it’s been great and convenient.

Best takeaways in Upnor — A typical order from Ken’s Garden – crispy shredded beef and lemon chicken

Some of the top rated takeaways that serve Upnor include:

Dos Amigos Sombreros – It’s so rare to find good Mexican food in the UK, but Dos Amigos Sombreros is a great option. Not only does it deliver to Upnor, they make authentic Mexican food like fajitas, enchiladas, nachos, quesadillas and lots more. They will only deliver when orders are £10 or more, but they don’t charge a delivery fee. In the mood for Mexican? This takeaway is a must-try.

Istanbul Flames – Another highly rated takeaway option is Istanbul Flames, with over 1400 reviews on Just Eat. You’ll find tasty burgers, pizza, and kababs with a delivery fee of just £1.

Sometimes after having a few pints at the local Upnor pubs, you could really do with a kabab.

Best local pizza in Upnor

Unfortunately there are no pizza shops in Upnor, but there are a few great pizza places that will deliver. Personally, we recommend Papa John’s in Strood. Their website is incredibly user-friendly and easy to order with, plus they can deliver to Upnor in no time at all. If you’re willing to drive, you can also collect your pizza order from Papa John’s as it’s only a few minutes drive from Upnor.

Want to learn more about local food, shops and businesses? Check out our article: Upnor Shops | What’s available in the village (and nearby)

The Best Hotels Near Upnor | Where to stay locally

August 8, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Upnor is a beautiful (but small) village along the Medway River. Home to 4 pubs and a castle, Upnor is a wonderful place to visit. But what about hotels near Upnor? Here’s where you can stay in Upnor and the surrounding area.

The Stables – Only hotel in Upnor

Are you planning on staying in Upnor? Currently The Stables is the only short-term rental property available in Upnor. This small cottage is for rent, just outside Upnor Castle.

The Stables amenities:

Pool
Free WiFi
2 bedrooms, sleeps 4
1 bathroom (towels not provided)
Kitchen area
Outdoor patio
Smoke-free property
No housekeeping
Children are welcome

Check-in at the property is between 3:00 pm and 11:00 pm. Check-out is before 10:00 am. Once booked, guests will receive an email with check-in detail.

What’s incredible about this property is that Upnor Castle is a mere 4 minute walk from the cottage. You’ll staying among Upnor’s history. If you need to stay within Upnor, this is the place to pick.

Rating: 3.5/5 on Expedia

Hampton Leigh – A local apartment at Maritime Dockside

Looking for more than a hotel room? The Hampton Leigh at Chatham Dockside might be a great fit! This entire apartment can be rented out for a party of six.

Hampton Leigh amenities:

Internet access
On-site parking
Full kitchen
2 bedrooms (with bed sheets provided) but sleeps 6
2 bathrooms (towels provided)
Dining room
TV with cable/satellite service
Balcony
Extras: Washing machine, air conditioning and heating
No pets allowed
Smoke-free property
Important: this property is for adults only

Check-in time starts at 3:00 pm and check-out is required before 11:00 am. You will receive details and instructions from the property manager when you book this accommodation.

Directions to Upnor

While this property to rent is not within Upnor, it’s about a 6 minute drive to the village. We recommend parking either at the free car park in Upper Upnor (near the Upnor Castle) or the free car park at the very end of the village in Lower Upnor.

If you don’t drive, make sure to check out our article about taxis that service Upnor so you can easily get into the village from your hotel.

Rating: 4.5/5 on Expedia

Upnor pier — The view of St. Mary’s Island and Chatham Dockside from Upnor Beach

Chatham Maritime Travelodge – Hotel near Upnor

If you need a basic hotel need Upnor, Chatham Maritime Travelodge is a good pick. While it won’t be the most lavish or exciting hotel you’ll see, it certainly works in a pinch.

Chatham Maritime Travelodge amenities:

3-star hotel
90 rooms
Children are welcome
Near the historical Chatham Dockyard
Hotel offers different types of room depending on number of bed required or budget

The Chatham Maritime Travelodge is about a 5 minute drive to Upnor. It’s also near Chatham Dockside, which has numerous shops and restaurants.

Rating: 3.8/5 on Expedia

Ship & Trades – Restaurant and river-side inn near Upnor

Interested in a restaurant and inn? The Ship & Trades is a great option in a good location near Upnor.

The Ship & Trades amenities:

Free wifi in the rooms and in some public areas
Free self parking
1 restaurant and bar on-site
Daily housekeeping
Front desk (limited hours)
1 meeting room
Smoke-free property
Hairdryer, towels and linens provided
TV and phone in room
No pets
Children are welcome

Check-in is between 2:00 pm and 11:00 pm but late check-in is subject to availability. Check-out must be before 11:00 am.

The Ship & Trades is a great option for a hotel near Upnor as it’s a great location, plus you get the benefit of the restaurant and bar attached to the property. Depending on your needs, the Ship & Trades has various rooms available, such as a Double Room, Executive Double Room or even a Superior Double Room.

Like the other hotels near Upnor, it’s about a 5 minute drive to the village from the property.

Rating: 4.2/5 on Expedia

Premier Inn Rochester – Great local hotel

Slightly further away from Upnor or Chatham Dockside is Rochester. While there are a lot of hotels in the area, we would recommend the Premier Inn Rochester at the Medway Valley Leisure Park. It’s a good quality hotel for a decent price and it’s only about a 10 minute drive to Upnor.

Premier Inn Rochester amenties:

Free Wi-Fi
Air conditioning
Free parking
Children welcome
24 hour front desk
Restaurant and bar
No pets
Other resturaunts, bars, bowling alley, health club and cinema within walking distance

We believe that the Premier Inn Rochester is slightly better quality than the Travelodge at Chatham Dockside. However, the Premier Inn is further away from Upnor (although, not by too much). It’s also helpful that the Premier Inn is within walking distance of all the other restaurants, bars and activities within the Medway Valley Leisure Park.

Hotels near Upnor

Currently, the only “hotel” or short-term rental property in Upnor is The Stables. However, if you’re looking for an actual hotel experience, we recommend booking one of the hotels at Chatham Dockside or the Primer Inn Rochester. All of them are close to Upnor for decent prices and quality.

Visiting Upnor Boot Fair | Largest Boot Fair in Medway

July 18, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Looking for one of the biggest boot fairs in Medway? You’ll need to add Mark Greenfield’s Boot Fair in Upnor to your list! Here’s everything you need to know for visitors and sellers alike.

What’s available at Upnor Boot Fair?

Visitors to Upnor’s Boot Fair can expect:

Classic food vans (including burgers, bacon rolls and hotdogs) and drink vans (for both hot and cold drinks)
Fruit and veg stalls
Plants and flower stalls
Ice cream van
Fresh seafood
Donuts
Bouncy Castle
Free car parking for shoppers
Boot fair items, clothing, furniture, etc

We would also recommend checking out Upnor Castle after your trip to the boot fair. There is a free public car park just one minute drive away in Upper Upnor and the castle is well-worth a visit! You could also tie-in one of Upnor’s pubs for a great lunch out.

Getting to Upnor’s Boot Fair

You might have driven past Mark Greenfield’s Boot Fair from the main road, but it can be a bit tricky to find the entrance.

The official address for the boot fair is:

Anthonys Way
Wainscott, Strood
Medway
ME2 4UX

However you’ll need to enter the field via Upnor Road. Make sure to follow the signs into Upnor Village and you’ll soon come across the entrance to the boot fair on your left. The entrance to the boot fair is before you see the Upnor Village sign so if you’ve passed that, you’ve gone too far.

Need extra help?

This particular boot fair has multiple marshals to help answer questions or point you in the right direction.

If you have any issues and are unable to find a marshal, you can actually contact Mark directly at: 07811 022987

Want to sell? Here are details for stall holders

The dates and times can change at short notice due to weather conditions, so always make sure to check the Mark Greenfield Upnor Boot Fair Facebook page before visiting.

Gates officially open at 5 am BST, but stall holders may arrive between 5-8 am BST.

Boot Fair prices for sellers:

Cars – £10 per car
Small Vans – £10.00
Large Vans – £15.00
Trailers – £5.00
Extra Large Pitches – £20.00

Powder and Magazine – what happened?

June 17, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Powder and Magazine was a beloved restaurant in Lower Upnor’s Ordnance Yard — it was one of the reasons we moved to the area! So we were shocked, to say the least when it closed down. In fact, we went on a visit to the US and by the time we arrived back the doors had closed permanently!

Powder & Magazine closed in January 2020 after financial difficulties.

Old Powder and Magazine Upnor — *Powder and Magazine, Ordnance Yard, Upnor*

Opened in December 2016, the business was well known among locals for quality food at reasonable prices and was highly reviewed on TripAdvisor for several years before the company started experiencing financial difficulties.

We personally loved Powder and Magazine until the final few months of its tenure at Ordnance Yard, with something interesting always on the menu, good coffee, and (once they got their license) cocktails too.

It was Upnor’s only standalone restaurant for many years, and while the local pubs offer good fare, the choice and ambience of the historic building were certainly missed.

What’s taking Powder and Magazine’s place?

Powder & Magazine was left empty for many months after seemingly random closures due to staffing issues and much speculation took place on what would take its place. Given the full kitchens and government permissions already in place, it was always likely another restaurant would take over the premises.

And now we know…

Coelho’s Picados & Skewer House will replace Powder & Magazine

Coelho’s Picados & Skewer House owned by Fatima Nobrega and Hugo Rodrigues will be the new restaurant in Lower Upnor.

It’s a traditional Portuguese restaurant, featuring mediterranean fare including that of Madeira of Picados and Espetadas, as well as fresh cakes and pastries.

We’re very excited to see what Fatima and Hugo can do with the space and wish them the very best! It will be great to finally have a restaurant in Upnor, other than the local pub. While the Upnor pubs are great, sometimes you just want to go to a proper restaurant – and now you can.

You can find out more about Coelho’s Picados & Skewer House by visiting them on Facebook here or checking out their website here.

This restaurant in Upnor is now open for business! Coelho’s Picados & Skewer House is also now on TripAdvisor but currently doesn’t have any reviews yet. Have you visited them already? Please let us know how you found your experience!

The Best 4 Upnor Pubs | Where to get a pint

June 11, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Upnor is a beautiful and secluded village tucked away just minutes from bustling Rochester. Upnor’s many pubs are wonderful to visit for afternoon lunch, a pint after a nearby walk or a hearty dinner.

Here are the best Upnor pubs plus everything you need to know about each one.

The Tudor Rose, Upnor

The Tudor Rose is one of our favourites and is located just steps from Upnor Castle. The building itself is beautiful with a cosy fireplace and historic wooden beams along the ceiling.

The Tudor Rose always has friendly staff and great home-cooked pub food – our personal favourite is their battered fish and chips. As a Shepherd Neame pub, this historic pub has numerous ales, ciders and a variety of other drinks on-hand. It always has a welcoming atmosphere and a pint ready for you.

While The Tudor Rose does not have its own car park, there is a free village car park about a 1-minute walk away. Since the car park is used for the castle and Upper Upnor, it can easily fill up quickly.

Important Features at the Tudor Rose:

Family friendly
Serves lunch & dinner
Large pub garden in the back
Steps away from Upnor Castle
Beautiful fireplace & historic building
Shepherd Neame pub

The Tudor Rose has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 on TripAdvisor with nearly 600 reviews. Incredibly, this pub is listed as #1 of 85 restaurants in Rochester. These reviews truly speak for themselves!

It’s no surprise that The Tudor Rose is worth a visit. We would definitely recommend trying out the pub before or after your visit to Upnor Castle. We love the Tudor Rose (and Upnor’s other pubs) so much that we’ve included it in our list: What to do in Upnor (as told by locals)!

Opening times

Monday – Saturday: 12:00 – 23:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 20:00

Food serving times

Monday – Saturday: 12:00 – 15:00, 18:00 – 21:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 16:00

To keep in touch, make sure to check out Tudor Rose across social media:

The Kings Arms, Upnor

Just up the street from The Tudor Rose in Upper Upnor is The Kings Arms. If you’re looking for unique pints, this is the place to go in Upnor. You’ll find real ale here and there’s no shortage of new beers to try. Out of all the pubs in Upnor, The Kings Arms is the best for beer.

Just like the Tudor Rose, The Kings Arms does not have a dedicated car park. However, the pub is only steps away from a free car park used for Upper Upnor. The car park can fill up quite quickly, so make sure to plan ahead on busier days.

Important Features:

Real ale available
Serves lunch & dinner
Large pub garden in the back
Holds frequent events, live music & parties

The Kings Arms has a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Trip Advisor with about 270 reviews and is listed as the 10th restaurant in Rochester. It’s certainly a crowd favourite, especially for their ales and live events.

Opening times

Monday – Saturday: 11:30 – 24:00
Sunday: 12.00 – 24:00

It’s also worth noting that The Kings Arms stays open the latest out of all the pubs in Upnor. All weekend, the pub shuts at midnight, while others close around 11:00 pm. If you want a late night out, The Kings Arms is your best (and only) option.

Food serving times

Monday to Saturday

Lunch – 12:00 – 14:30
Dinner – 18:00 – 21:00
Sunday – 12:00 – 17:00

To stay up-to-date with The Kings Arms, you can follow them on social media:

The Ship, Upnor

The first pub you’ll spot in Lower Upnor is The Ship. The Ship Tavern is a beautiful historic building just across the road from the River Medway. The Ship also has an extremely long back garden with picnic tables, plus a few seats outside the front of the pub alongside the river. It makes for a wonderful afternoon out to have a pint overlooking the river in the summer.

If you want to enjoy the river views along with your pint or meal, The Ship is the best option.

The Ship Pub in Upnor — *The Ship, Lower Upnor*

The Ship is famous for a traditional Sunday roast and other great food. With a new chef, The Ship is easily full for Sunday lunch so make sure to call ahead!

The Ship does have a few parking spaces available for customers in front of the pub. However, if those are full, you’ll need to either park at a free car park at the end of the village, or find a space in the nearby neighbourhood.

Important Features:

Real ale
Family friendly
Serves lunch & dinner
Large pub garden in the back
River-side seating in front of the pub
Very small dedicated car park
Live music events

As like the other two pubs, The Ship has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 on Trip Advisor with about 270 reviews. It’s also listed as the #3 of 17 bars in Rochester and #16 of 85 restaurants in Rochester.

The Ship is definitely a local-favourite with very loyal customers.

Opening times

Monday to Sunday: 12:00 to 11pm

If you want to keep in touch with The Ship, make sure to check them out on Facebook.

The Pier, Upnor

Just past The Ship in Lower Upnor, you’ll come across The Pier, the final pub in Upnor.

While it doesn’t have a back beer garden, The Pier does have some tables out front that overlook the Medway River. However, it does feel like you’re eating in a car park.

The Pier in Upnor — *The Pier, Lower Upnor*

Important Features:

Outdoor seating in front of the pub
Serves lunch & dinner
Pool table
River-side view
Real ale
Family-friendly
Live music & events

Out of all the Upnor pubs, The Pier has the lowest Trip Advisor score of 3.5 out of 5 with only 173 reviews. It’s also listed as #13 of 17 bars in Rochester and #43 of 85 restaurants in Rochester. It’s not the top of the lists, but it’s worth a visit if you find yourself in the area – or after a nice walk along Upnor’s beach.

Of the two pubs in Lower Upnor, The Pier has the widest selection of beer as well as a pool table and darts board.

Opening times

Monday to Sunday: 12:00 – 23:30

Want to stay in touch with the pub? Make sure to follow The Pier on Facebook

As mentioned before, The Kings Arms in Upper Upnor is the only pub in the village that is open until midnight during the weekend. Both pubs in Lower Upnor are closed by 11:30 pm.

Restaurants in Upnor

Upnor used to be home to the restaurant Powder and Magazine which recently closed down. In its place we now have Coelho’s Picados & Skewer House instead! This Portuguese restaurant only just opened in Upnor so it will take some time before we better understand its popularity in the village.

For more details, check out Coelho’s Picados & Skewer House on Facebook.

If you don’t want to visit Coelho’s, you’ll need to leave Upnor village for more restaurant options. Thankfully, Rochester is just a short drive away and has lots of great restaurants (and car parks). If you’re not sure which to pick, we recommend walking up the High Street and trying any one of the options available. Or there are a few takeaway options that deliver to Upnor.

However, if you really want to stay in Upnor, you’ll need to chose between Upnor’s 4 pubs or its one restaurant.

Covid-19 Update for Upnor Pubs

Legally, pubs could not operate as normal during Covid-19. However, all pubs in Upnor (minus The Pier) did their best to provide some level of takeaway service during that time. The Kings Arms has even opened its own little shop for some groceries and household items.

Currently, Upnor pubs are open for business although certain practices have changed. Customers are encouraged to social distance as best they can when visiting the pubs and to sanitise their hands often.

If you’re interested in takeaway from a pub in Upnor or want to visit, make sure to contact the pub directly. They will be able to give you the most up-to-date details on the services they are providing.