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What to do in Upnor (as told by locals)

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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.

what to do in upnor

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.

4 Upnor Walks & Scenic Routes

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Upnor is a beautiful, small village with ample walking routes within the village and beyond.

Here are some of our favourite Upnor walks, their distances and difficulty, along with walking route maps and extra details to make the most of your time out in Upnor.

1. Saxon Shore Way Walk – A small section of a big classic

At a glance

Directions

Start your walk just outside the doors to Upnor Castle (well worth a visit) and walk the length of the High Street in Upper Upnor. Turning right at Upchat Road, follow this all the way to Upnor Road and continue through the village.

You’ll pass The Pier (the final pub in Upnor) and the once thriving Aretheusa Venture Centre (now closed). Eventually you’ll join onto Upnor Beach and walk pass the clubhouse and launch points for the Upnor Sailing Club.

When on the beach, keep an eye out for Upnor jellyfish! While they aren’t typically dangerous, it’s helpful to avoid stepping on them when they wash up on the beach.

Continue on the beach and eventually you’ll follow the footpath through Hoo Ness Boat Yard, then the signs for the Saxon Shore Way.

This area is full of history but could be easy to miss! Once you arrive at the last of the warehouses, you’ll find a graveyard for Thames barges. If you look to the right across the water, you’ll see the ruins of Hoo Fort.

When you find that the path begins to split, head inland and you’ll reach the southern edge of Hoo St. Werburgh. Joining up the Saxon Shore Way again, you’ll walk through open fields before a steep descent through woodland. Eventually, you’ll return to Upnor Road in Lower Upnor. You can then retrace your steps back to Upper Upnor and finally finishing at Upnor Castle.

Special thanks to Countryfile for their inspiration on this walk!

2. Upnor Loop – A short stroll

At a glance

  • Distance: 2.6 km
  • Time: About 30 minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Recommend parking at the free car park at the end of Lower Upnor

The Upnor Loop is great when you want to get out of the house but don’t want an extensive walk. This loop is ideal for those who live in Upnor as well, as it can be started from your home and looped back in the end.

If your visiting Upnor, it’s best to park at the free car par at the bottom of Lower Upnor, near the Upnor Sailing Club.

Directions

When leaving the car park in Lower Upnor, turn right and join up on Upnor Road. You’ll pass Upnor’s post box on your left, just across the street from The Pier. Follow this all the way through Lower Upnor, past both pubs.

As the road begins to curve, there is a secret pathway on your left with stairs. Following this shaded path gets you into Upper Upnor without having to walk on the road.

When this pathway ends cross the road back onto Upnor Road. You’ll walk past the free car park in Upper Upnor on your left. Keep right while you follow Upnor Road back into the village.

You’ll pass Upnor Church on your left and then retrace your steps back through Lower Upnor to the car park at the end of the village.

upnor walks 1
There’s beautiful scenery on Upnor walks!

3. The Kings Arms Circuit – Great views

At a glance

  • Distance: 4 km
  • Time: About 50 minutes
  • Difficulty: Moderate, steep ascent and descent but great views
  • Recommend parking at the free car park in Upper Upnor, right beside your starting point

Directions

Starting from the Kings Arms pub in Upper Upnor, walk away from the pub on Upchat Road. You’ll soon see a dirt footpath on your right that you’ll take through a wooded area.

Staying on this path will take you down some steps onto Upnor Road in Lower Upnor. Continue walking down Upnor Road until you reach a stone pillar. Turning left will take you past the Arethusa Venture Centre and when that turns to the left, take the tarmac footpath ahead which goes uphill.

You’ll then take the right hand path at the three-way fork and follow the path until you reach the road.

Next, go through the gateway on your lefthand side and into a parking area. Follow the top of the field and at the end you’ll want to turn right. You’ll find a gap in the hedge to get through and then walk past the play area. 

When you get to the main road, walk for about 200 yards before turning left for 100 yards onto a smaller road.

At the end of the road, go through the wooden gate on the right and follow the path as it goes down the hill.

At the T-junction with another path, turn left and follow this path for 400 yards parallel to the road. When it reaches the road turn left for 100 yards. Walking right, up the step at the footpath sign just past Normandie House on the right, follow the path back up to Upper Upnor.

You’ll end up back at the Kings Arms and perhaps grab a pint to celebrate such a great walk!

4. Frindsbury Extra Walk – A local circular

At a glance

  • Distance: 6.8 km
  • Time: About 2.5 hours
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Recommend parking depends on where you wish to start this loop

This walk is circular and can be started and finished at any point, depending on where you live or park. For something different, try starting this walk in Frindsbury on Cooling Road at the junction with Hilltop Road.

Walk down Cooling Road to the junction with Hollywood Lane where you’ll turn left and immediately right onto Lower Rochester Road. Continue over the by-pass flyover and take footpath No. 118 on the right. When the footpath widens follow the paved path to Higham Road.

Cross the road and continue straight ahead to another road and turn right. After you come across the pond, turn left onto the military road. After about 50 yards cross the wooden footbridge on the right and go over the stile.

Follow the left hand side of the field until you reach another stile. Go over the stile and turn right then follow the edge of the field to Four Elms Hill. Carefully cross Four Elms Hill, turn left and shortly take the footpath on the right.

Follow the footpath across the field exiting onto Upchat Road which you’ll cross and follow the footpath through woods, running parallel with the road. On reaching the road, turn left.

Go up the steps and follow path into Upper Upnor passing Upper Castle House gates. Continue straight on then turn left at The Kings Arms and the beginning of the High St. Go down the cobbled street and at the bottom admire the views of the River Medway.

Turn right and take the path along the river edge, it then bears right and follows a high fence. Eventually, cross Anthony’s Way at the crossing and follow the footpath. At the next road turn left and take the footpath next to the Tithe Barn entrance. At the end turn right and follow the fence around two sides of the quarry.

When the quarry fence bears left by a way marker go straight ahead onto Frindsbury Hill. Cross the road and take the footpath opposite, cross another road and continue straight ahead into Hilltop Road. Turn left and follow the road back to Cooling Road to complete the loop.

Special thanks to Robert Taylor for this wonderful walk suggestion!

Upnor walks near Upnor Castle

Upnor is a small village, so nearly all Upnor walks are technically also walks near Upnor Castle.

Still not sure which walk to try? The best thing is head out to Upnor and start walking!

Still looking for more in Upnor?

Have you done some Upnor walks but want more? If you’re looking for something else to do in Upnor (or near Upnor) make sure to check out our article: What to do in Upnor (as told by locals)! We’ve compiled our favourite things to do in our village, plus some activities nearby that we would recommend.

Upnor Sailing Club & why you should join

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For a quiet and quant area, the Upnor Sailing Club is a bustling part of this village. Here’s what you need to know about the Upnor Sailing Club and why you should check it out.

Sailing from Upnor

At the end of Lower Upnor, you’ll find the Upnor Sailing Club tucked away along the banks of the Medway River. First started in the 1960’s, this friendly club has developed into an active part of the community.

If you’ve ever wandered through Upnor, or visited Upnor Beach on a sunny day, you would have seen numerous boats along the Medway River. Upnor is a great launching spot and is easily a favourite summertime hobby in the area.

The club organises a cruising programme each year for any members who want to sail with others along the east coast. Some trips even go across the channel for more experienced sailors. The trips are organised by volunteers in the club that work to include boats of all sizes and members of all skill levels.

Upnor Sailing Club facilities

Currently there are 86 sheltered moorings on the Medway close to Chatham Historic Dockyard.

The club website adds that: “We access these from our private pontoon from which we launch dinghies and bring our yachts alongside for loading and unloading. This facility also incorporates a dinghy and tender storage area and two scrubbing docks.”

The sailing clubhouse also has a welcoming clubroom, bar, balcony toilets, showers and a secure car park with storage and workshops.

​While many people don’t know about Upnor or its sailing club, it’s situated in a perfect spot to launch along the River Medway.

Getting to the Upnor Sailing Club

When using a Sat Nav, plug in the post code “ME2 4UY” to find the club. It’s located at the very end of Lower Upnor and can be tricky to find the first time.

A good indicator that you’re going in the right direction is going past the Pier pub and the closed down Arethusea Venture Centre in Lower Upnor. There is also a free car park in Lower Upnor, directly in front of the club.

​Upnor Sailing Club membership prices

Intersted in trying out the club? Below are the sailing club membership prices and fees listed currently on their website.

​Joining Fee£140
Joining Fee – Junior£44
Subs – Full Member£173
Subs – Family Member£259
Subs – Crewing Member£35
Subs – Veteran Member of 20 yrs£87
Subs – Veteran Member of 10 yrs£155
Subs Veteran Family Members of 20 yrs£130
Subs Veteran Family Members of 10 yrs£233
Subs – Junior Member£45
Subs – Cadet Member£18

Additional fees include:

Dinghy Park Storage £25.00
Outboard Storage £25.00

Mooring Costs

For up-to-date mooring costs, make sure to check with the club first. Mooring Costs from 2019 were £340 to £380 depending on mooring length (35 to 55 feet). Cost includes maintenance and rental of mooring.

To join the Upnor Sailing Club, just input your details through their website and a member of the club will get in touch with you.

Why is the sailing club important to Upnor?

Not only does the sailing club offer the obvious possibility to sailing from Upnor, it’s also has a huge social element.

Throughout the year the club hosts a variety and range of events which are organised and planned by the social committee. These club-wide events include activities like parties, barbecues and even formal dinners. Club events are usually held in the off-season during the winter months when most members are not on cruises. So while you might be busy sailing throughout the summer, the Club still has activities and events throughout the winter to keep you busy.

Recent events included: a new members buffet, a summer BBQ, First Aid Training and an upcoming Christmas dinner party.

To keep in touch with the club, you can follow their social media updates on the Upnor Sailing Club Facebook page. Have questions? You can reach the club by calling 0800 8321317.

The history behind Upnor Church & its future

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While often referred to as Upnor Church, the church of St. Philip & St. James is a hidden gem found in Upnor village.

But what is actually available at this church? And what about its history? Here’s everything you need to know about the quiet and beautiful Upnor Church.

Upnor Church - St Philip and St James

All Saints & Upnor

St. Philip & St. James falls under the All Saints Frindsbury banner. The parish itself is actually on the outskirts of Strood, with the main church of All Saints looking over the Medway River.

All Saints Frindsbury draws its congregation primarily from Frindsbury and Wainscott while St. Philip and St James is in Upnor village and Bishop Gundulph church is at Chattenden. While technically there are three individual and unique churches, they are all organised and run by All Saints.

About the church

The ecclesiastical parish of Upnor split from Frindsbury in 1884 but was later reabsorbed in 1955. The parish church of St. Philip and St. James (1884) was designed by Ewan Christian and it is virtually unaltered today.

In 2020, the church has an electronic organ and PA system, along with toilet facilities and a moveable tea/coffee bar. Out front of the church is a small graveyard with a few car park spaces.

The current reverend at the church is Nicholas Cooper, who moves between all three churches.

Upnor Church events

The church has a handful of regularly scheduled events that anyone in the area can drop in on, depending on your needs and interest. All of these particular events and meetings take place at the church in Upnor. However, you could also check out additional events at All Saints Frindsbury.

Morning Worship

Morning Worship happens every first, third and fifth Sunday at 9 a.m. for about one hour.

Holy Communion

Holy Communion takes place every second and fourth Sunday at 9 a.m. for roughly one hour.

Up4It

Looking for something a bit different? Up4It happens at the church every second Saturday at 4 p.m. for one hour. This family-friendly worship experience is open to all and includes various crafts, music, activities and refreshments.

It’s a really great opportunity to meet others in the village, all while being creative and having fun.

UpChat Coffee Morning

Every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. the church hosts UpChat Coffee Morning. Each meeting lasts for about one hour and 30 mins and is a great place for parents with toddlers to get together for a chat and a coffee.

For such a small village, there are numerous weekly events and meetings at the church.

Visiting Upnor Church

The church has a few car parking space in front of the building, but these are often all in use during Sunday services. There is a free car park in Upper Upnor that can be used if necessary (and takes about a 8 minute walk from the car park to the church).

When driving, enter postcode ME2 4UX into your Sat Nav. St. Philip and St. James Church is often easily missed as it’s tucked behind some trees.

The church has wheelchair and pushchair access via a disabled ramp from the pavement at the front of the building.

Looking for a bite to eat afterwards? There are four beautiful and historic pubs in Upnor that are all open on Sundays. All four pubs are within reasonable walking distance from the church as well.

You can also visit Upnor Beach in Lower Upnor after your time at the church, which is about a 10 minute walk. While it’s not ideal for sun-bathing, it does offer wonderful views of the River Medway.

Want to give back to Upnor?

Just outside the free car park in Upper Upnor, there is the village notice board which holds details about upcoming events, meetings, litter-picking and groups in the area. If you’re looking to become more involved in the village, or back to help give back, the community notice board is a great place to check every once in awhile.

Covid-19 Update

Currently St. Philip & St. James is unable to hold in-person service, but have been posting resources for church members online. All Saints have been posting prayers every week along with order of services and notice sheets online to easily download.

Upnor Village Community Notices

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Welcome to the Upnor Village Community page! The Frindsbury Extra noticeboard (provided by the parish council) outside The Kings Arms doesn’t get updated often, but we’ll make a concerted effort to update this page with high-resolution photos of the board along with notes on any events and updates we’re made aware of.

Upnor Community Noticeboard June 2020
Upnor Village Community Notice Board

Upnor Village Community Litter Picks

There are several regular litter picks run by community members, both private and by the village Church. Visitors from elsewhere have a habit of leaving litter (especially McDonalds for some reason) throughout the carparks and towpaths. If you have a spare hour or two once a month to help keep our village clean, it would be greatly appreciated by everyone in Upnor.

The current litter picks are as follows:

  • First Saturday of the month, as organised by All Saints Church
  • Last Sunday of the month, 11 am, starting in front of Upnor Church

Objections to the Esquire Developments

There are notices on the board about the development and we’ve gone into a lot more detail on the development, official objections, and the current state of the plans on our page here:

Esquire Developments in Upnor

Powder and Magazine – what happened?

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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
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!