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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.

Where are Upnor post boxes?

August 7, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Need to post something but not sure where are the Upnor post boxes? You’re in the right place!

Where to find Upnor’s post box

Currently, there is one main post box that serves the village in Lower Upnor. You’ll find this post box outside The Pier pub right along the River Medway. If you are driving or walking into Lower Upnor, it will be on the righthand side across the street from the pub. You’ll also find a phone box beside it.

The collection time for this post box is 4:30 pm Monday-Friday.

The Pier in Upnor — The view of The Pier from the only Upnor post box

Upnor’s historical post box

If you’re looking for a bit of history, there is a traditional post box in Upper Upnor along the High Street. You’ll find it on the left, a few houses before you reach Upnor Castle.

This post box is no longer in service, but still a neat bit of history. It’s not a traditional pillar-style post box, but built into the brick wall. The box does have a notice on the front that it is no longer in service as to not confuse anyone.

Post boxes near Upnor

If you’ve missed the collection time for the Lower Upnor post box, there are a few others in the surrounding area, although some of them are easily missed.

Medway City Estate post box

If you need a different location, we recommend a post box on Medway City Estate. The collection time for this post box is 6:30pm Monday-Friday which can be extremely helpful if you’ve already missed the collection time for Upnor’s post box.

It’s no secret that Medway City Estate can be very busy during rush hour, so we recommend using this post box after 6:00pm to avoid the traffic.

A hidden Strood post box

Further afield, there is a post box on Roman Way (ME2 2NY). You’ll pass this post box on your way to Cineworld, Creams, Diggerland or Hollywood Bowl, all along the River Medway.

This post box is often missed but it’s extremely helpful if you need one. Once you turn onto Roman Way, you’ll see the post box on your right. There is a small alcove that you can pull your car into when posting your mail.

This post box is helpful when you’re already going to the cinema, McDonalds or any of the restaurants in the area.

Post office near Upnor

The closet post office to Upnor is in Stroud, which can handle all your typical post needs.

The Strood Post Office address is 13-17 North St, Rochester ME2 4SL.

Monday	8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday	8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday	8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday	8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday	8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Saturday	8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Sunday	Closed

Strood Post Office Opening Times

If you’re able to pay for parking, the closest car park is the Commercial Road Car Park, just a short walk to the post office. If you need help finding it, you can add the postcode to your Sat Nav: ME2 4TG. The car park is right before the Strood McDonalds.

If you don’t want to pay for parking, the closest free car park is at the Strood Retail Park. This is just across the street from the paid lot, so not much further to walk. However, this car park can be extremely busy and oftentimes difficult to find a spot.

There is also a bus spot in front of the Strood Post Office if you need to take public transport.

Make sure to check with the post office before visiting as they could change their hours due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Should I be worried about Jellyfish in Upnor?

August 2, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

If you’ve visited Upnor’s beach along the River Medway, you might have spotted some jellyfish along the stony beach. Should these be avoided? Is Upnor Beach safe? Find out everything you need to know about the jellyfish in Upnor.

Why are there jellyfish in Upnor?

Whenever we have a hot summer, the increased water temperatures means more marine life, including jellyfish. This also means you’ll have a much greater chance of seeing a jellyfish in the area, especially when the tides come in.

These jellyfish will simply wash-up on Upnor’s beach during the summer months. It’s easy to miss them because they are translucent and often blend in with the rocks and stones on the beach.

If you find any jellyfish, it’s recommend not to touch them, even if they wash up on shore. Some dead jellyfish can still cause a nasty sting.

Where can we find jellyfish in Upnor?

Upnor’s stoney beach is a common spot for jellyfish to wash up on when it’s been a hot summer. As the River Medway gets hotter, more jellyfish can breed and grow. However, this shouldn’t discourage you from visiting Upnor’s quiet beach. It’s best to keep an eye on the stones before you set up your beach chair so you can avoid any washed-up jellies. You may also spot other sea-life, like crabs along the beach.

What kind of jellyfish are in Upnor?

We believe that the jellyfish washing up on Upnor shores are moon jellyfish. Thankfully, this type of jellyfish does not sting or cause any harm.

The moon jellyfish (or moon jelly) is the most common species in the UK and commonly wash up on the shore. This type of jelly is about the size of a dinner plate and is recognisable by four circular rings inside it’s translucent bell-shaped body.

You’ll typically see these jellies floating just below the surface of the water. Jellyfish are 95% water and have no brain, blood or heart.

What to do if you’re stung by a jellyfish

If you ever stung by a jellyfish, you can typically do some basic first-aid care to minimise the sting:

Using tweezers, carefully pluck visible tentacles out of the skin
Soak the skin in hot water (it should feel hot but not scalding). Keep the affected skin immersed or in a hot shower for 20- 45 minutes.

When dealing with a jellyfish sting, here are some unhelpful or unproven actions to avoid:

Scraping out stingers
Rinsing with seawater
Rinsing with human urine
Applying meat tenderizer
Applying alcohol, ethanol or ammonia
Rubbing with a towel

Typically jellyfish stings do not require medical care, but if you find that your sting is severe or you may be having an allergic reaction to it, speaking with your healthcare professional is a good option.

Thankfully, the type of jellyfish that wash up on Upnor’s beach are not dangerous, but it’s still important to avoid touching them if you can.

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

Upnor’s London Stones

July 2, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

The London Stones in Lower Upnor are two obelisks (one much smaller than the other) between the Arethusa Venture Centre and the shoreline that always piqued our interest. After wondering what exactly they were (probably for the hundredth time on a walk down to Upnor Beach) I started researching and finally found the answer!

These stone monuments are the London Stone (as marked on OS maps) and were originally placed to mark the boundaries of City of London’s control over the River Medway. The larger was erected in 1836 so as to be more prominent and preserve the co-ordinates since the original was badly weathered.

The stones have a rather weird history however, so read on for more about the Lord Mayor and his “bumping” parties that circled the stones!

The City of London’s rights and jurisdiction were originally purchased in 1197 from Richard I as a means to tax fisheries and collect tolls from merchants sailing along the river to one of the inland ports. A charter was formalised in 1202 codifying London’s right to the waters and what it could do, with boundary stones being the identifying markers, and two years later in 1204 the London Stone at Upnor was built.

The Lord Mayor of London’s Parties

The Lord Mayor of London in Medieval history sounds like quite a cushy job! As part of his duties his royal ship would be laden with beer, wine, fine food and newly minted coins, and would visit the Upnor Stone to assert the City’s jurisdiction over the waters and win hearts and minds with the village of Upnor.
The Mayor would celebrate with the village, throw coins among the poor, and generally have an excessive celebration.

The festivity was rather cynical in nature however, it was meant as a demonstration of London’s wealth, what it could provide for those that abided by the rules, and as a constant reminder for those that may have needed it.

We’ve seen mention of people being “bumped” on the stone as part of the celebration, but can’t quite fathom what that means.

The New Upnor Stone

Made from Granite and placed just in front of the old boundary stone, the New London Stone was erected in place in 1836 with the inscription:

Right Hon Willm
Taylor Copeland
Lord Mayor

John Lainson Esq
David Solomon Esq
Sherrifs

1836

The Right Honourable William Taylor Copeland was indeed the Lord Mayor of London in 1836 and it as erected and updated in his honour (although we can’t find evidence of any ongoing parties at the London Stone that he attended).

Were the London Stones moved?

According to several historic sources, the London Stones may have been moved to dry land to protect them from the elements and make them easier to spot.

How to get to Upnor’s London Stones

The Stones are located just off of Upnor Road, near the Arethusa Venture Centre, you can check it out on the map below:

What to do in Upnor (as told by locals)

June 29, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Upnor is a beautiful village, hidden only moments away from bustling Rochester, Kent. Looking for an exciting or memorable day out? Here’s what to do in Upnor as told by us – locals!

1. Upnor Castle

The largest attraction in Upnor is the wonderful and historical Upnor Castle. Construction of the castle originally began in 1559 to protect warships moored at Chatham dockyards, just across the River Medway. Unfortunately for Upnor Castle, it completely failed to do so when the Dutch arrived in 1667.

While it is a relatively small castle, Upnor Castle is definitely worth a visit. For everything you need to know about the castle, make sure to check out our article: Your trip to Upnor Castle | Make it memorable

Extra details about Upnor Castle:

Not dog-friendly
Free entry for English Heritage members
Great for children, families and adults alike
No restaurant on-site but just a few steps away from two Upnor pubs

It can be difficult getting public transportation to Upnor, so we recommend either driving or hiring a local taxi.

2. Visit a historical Upnor pub

Even though it is a small village, Upnor is home to four historic pubs. Whether you want riverside views, a giant beer garden, local ales on tap or a great Sunday roast, Upnor’s pubs will not disappoint.

We recommend visiting a local pub after your time at Upnor Castle – it’s a wonderful way to spend the afternoon!

Extra details about Upnor pubs:

Four pubs in total in the village (two in Upper Upnor and two in Lower Upnor)
Parking is tricky but we recommend using the free car park in Upper Upnor
All Upnor pubs serve food, drinks and have outdoor seating

The Kings Arms Upnor — The Kings Arms found in Upper Upnor

3. Beautiful Upnor walks

Although Upnor is tucked away along the Medway River, there’s numerous great trails and walking paths to take advantage of, especially on a beautiful summers day.

Interesting in trying out an Upnor walking route (or running route, if you’re feeling brave)? You can follow along with our favourite walks at: 4 Upnor Walks & Scenic Routes. We’ve included easier loops for young children and more difficult hikes for those looking for a challenge.

4. Upnor Beach

Upnor Beach is quiet and greatly-unknown to those outside of the village. Forget the crowds and chaos of Margate or Broadsides, Upnor Beach is a lovely little spot to pull out a beach chair and enjoy the view.

While you won’t want to lay out on your towel (the beach is stoney) it’s a perfect spot for a comfortable beach chair and some good company. If you’re stopping by for the day, we recommend visiting an Upnor pub for lunch or dinner after your stay at the beach.

Extra details about Upnor Beach:

Dog-friendly area
Stoney beach so bring a chair instead of a towel
There are public toilets in Lower Upnor, before you reach the beach
Free parking is available at the car park in Lower Upnor, right before the beach entrance

5. Sail from Upnor

Looking for a new place to launch your boat into the Medway River? Make sure to check out Upnor’s Sailing Club! The club offers a great place to launch your boat, along with meeting locals who also share a love of boating.

6. Upnor Boot Fair

Upnor hosts one of the biggest boot fairs in Medway! When entering the village, you’ll pass the field’s entrance on your left. Gates open at 5 am BST for visitors, but those selling can set-up between 5-8 am.

Want to learn more? Check out our article for more details about Upnor’s Boot Fair here.

What to do near Upnor

Still looking for more things to do in Upnor? You’ll need to go a bit further afield. While Upnor feels secluded away from the rest of Kent, it’s actually extremely close to some great attractions in Strood, Chatham and Rochester.

Here’s what to do near Upnor that we’d recommend checking out:

Copper Rivet Distillery

Interested in trying out a new local gin? The Copper Rivet Distillery is a great place to visit. This distillery produces small batches of vodkas, whiskies and gins, all in a historical building along the Medway River. They also have a Pumproom Deli and Cafe next door where you can get drinks, snacks and great food.

As the only spirit maker in Kent, the Copper Rivet Distillery makes for a great afternoon outing. You can also book tours of their distillery in the historical Victorian Pump House No. 5 (with taste tests, of course).

In our opinion, the Copper Rivet Distillery is an often-overlooked attraction in Chatham and only a short drive from Upnor village. A great afternoon out with your partner, friends or family.

The Historic Chatham Dockyard

Explore Royal Navy warships and shipbuilding heritage in an 18th-century dockyard museum, just moments away from Upnor. The Historic Chatham Dockyard has seen an incredible transformation over the years and is a great day out in Chatham.

What’s great is that every general admission tickets is valid for a full year, allowing you access to the site as many times as you like. Tickets also include two guided tours that you will book on arrival to the museum: The Victorian Ropery and HM Submarine Ocelot.

Hysteria Escape Rooms

Escape Rooms have exploded in popularity in the last few years – and for good reason! Hysteria Escape Rooms in Chatham is a lot of fun and only a quick drive from Upnor village.

Currently they have two different rooms (one is zombie-themed and one is a murder-mystery) and are a great activity for the family, Date Night or even team-building for businesses.

Playopolis Board Game Cafe

Why not check out Rochester’s local board game cafe for something different? For an entrance fee, you can play numerous board games up to three hours, alongside some drinks and snacks!

For £4.50 per person, you’ll have up to three hours of gaming (and is payable on exit). If you choose not to eat or drink during your visit, the cover charge is £7.50. There are no other costs beyond any food and drink you choose to purchase which will be placed on your tab.

Playopolis also offers membership options if you’d like to visit them more frequently.

Odeon Cinema at Chatham Dockside

Want to catch a film? Odeon Cinema is conveniently located at Chatham Dockside, just a short drive from Upnor village. There’s also a few shops and restaurants at Dockside to make the most of your trip!

Rochester Castle & Cathedral

A wonderful trip out would be to visit Rochester Castle and Cathedral! Pick any of Rochesters public car parks and enjoy some incredible local history. You can also gain free entry into the castle with a English Heritage membership, just like Upnor Castle.

We recommend climbing to the top of Rochester Castle, visiting the cathedral across the street, then hit up Rochester High Street for some food and drinks. There’s numerous restaurants and pubs to try.

Diggerland

A great activity for the kids near Upnor is Diggerland! This construction-themed attraction allows kids (and adults) can drive and operate heavy machinery. The admission cost includes all of the available activities, as long as your child is tall enough.

Just a short drive from Upnor, Diggerland in Strood is a great option and something completely different for your kids. There’s also a lot of restaurants in the area in case you want to add to your day out.