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history

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!

Upnor London Stones Original

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

Upnor London Stones New Replacement

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:

Filed Under: History Tagged With: history, London Stones, Lower Upnor

The history behind Upnor Church & its future

June 17, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Community, History, Living in Upnor Tagged With: All Saints, Community, history, St Philip & St James Church, Upnor Church

Your trip to Upnor Castle | Make it memorable

June 12, 2020 by admin 2 Comments

Upnor Castle is a secret treasure that should be discovered! While many people know about Rochester Castle, few know to visit Upnor Castle.

Here’s everything you need to know to have a great visit to Upnor Castle.

How to get to here

The castle is tucked away along the banks of the River Medway, so it can be difficult to see from the road. Many people drive by the area without realising the castle is nearby.

You’ll need to enter the village of Upnor, specifically Upper Upnor, to gain access to the castle.

The closet train station to the castle is Strood (with Rochester being the next closest), although they are not within walking distance to the castle.

Parking near Upnor Castle

Do not put ‘Upnor Castle’ into your phone or GPS and drive directly to it! There are several roads that are almost impossible to turn on or reverse out of.

The castle itself does not have a car park or a coach parking area.

Instead, the best place to park is a free car park in Upper Upnor at the start of the High Sreet. This is really the only place to park when visiting the castle and the local pubs. It can get quite busy on the weekend and during the summer months, so make sure to plan ahead.

The other option is to park in Lower Upnor and walk over to the castle. Typically the walk wouldn’t be more than 15 minutes so it’s a good back-up plan for parking.

Upnor Castle opening times

Run by English Heritage, Upnor Castle is open every April to October before closing for the winter. To get the most up-to-date opening times, make sure to check their website before your visit.

We would recommend visiting the castle in the morning, then getting some lunch at a local pub. This makes for a great day out!

Entry prices to Upnor Castle

Below are the available ticket types and their corresponding price without a donation.

Ticket TypeWithout Donation
Adult£7
Child (5-17 years)£3.50
Concession£5
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children)£17.50
English Heritage MemberFree

If you’re interested in visiting various English Heritage sites, the membership is well-worth the price. You’ll receive free entry to the castle as a Member, as well as local attractions like Rochester Castle, Dover Castle, Eynsford Castle and Temple Manor.

There are hundreds of English Heritage sites all over the country, as well. There’s no shortage of castles, stately homes and attractions to make the most of your membership.

If you do visit various English Heritage sites without a membership, the admission prices can really start to add up.

Pubs near Upnor Castle

There is no restaurant or cafe located at the castle, but you can buy small snacks, sandwiches and ice cream on the grounds. If you’re looking for something more to eat, either before your time at the castle or afterwards, there are four pubs near Upnor Castle, all of which serve food.

Make sure to check out our in-depth guide on all the pubs in Upnor for more details. They’re great to visit even if you’re not visiting the castle as well.

The closet pub to the castle is the extremely popular Tudor Rose, only steps from the castle’s entrance. The Tudor Rose is family-friendly and offers a variety of snacks, meals and drinks for reasonable prices.

All four pubs in Upnor also have garden seating which is a wonderful option in the summer months.

Restaurants near Upnor Castle

Need a restaurant near Upnor Castle? Unfortunately, you won’t have many to choose from. Aside from Upnor’s pubs, the village only has one restaurant:Coelho’s Picados & Skewer House. You’ll find Coelho’s in Lower Upnor, in the building that once housed Powder and Magazine. From Upnor Castle in Upper Upnor, it’s about a 10 minute walk to the restaurant in Lower Upnor.

This restaurant in Upnor has only recently opened, so time will tell if it remains in the village.

Want to learn more about restaurants in Upnor? Make sure to check out our post: Powder and Magazine – what happened?

If you’re not interested in Coelho’s, you’ll need to leave Upnor to find more restaurants. Thankfully, Rochester High St. is a short drive away and has numerous high-rated restaurants. Personally, we recommend trying The Cheese Room Botanicals on the High Street (60 High Street, Rochester ME1 1JY). Formally known as Smoke & Liquor, this restaurant always has interesting food and drink to try. Plus, the building itself is really interesting and cozy.

Rochester High Street also has various car parks you can use, should you drive over from Upnor Castle or anywhere else.

How long should you visit Upnor Castle

Currently, Upnor Castle Medway has a TripAdvisor score of 4 out of 5. Most visitors recommend spending about 1-2 hours at the castle. If you bring a packed lunch, you could easily spend more time among the castle grounds and wandering around the local footpaths among the scenic fields and river shores.

While it may not be as exciting as other Kent castles such as Rochester Castle or Dover Castle, Upnor Castle is still well worth a visit for its integral part of Medway history and incredible views.

It’s also worth spending some time discovering Upnor Village and the historical cobblestone streets near the castle.

Is Upnor Castle dog friendly?

Unfortunately, Upnor Castle is not dog friendly. While assistance dogs are allowed within the castle walls, all other dogs are not.

If you’re looking for a dog-friendly day out in the area, there are some lovely walking trails around Upnor village. Dogs are also allowed on Upnor Beach, in Lower Upnor, that would better suit your needs.

Who owns Upnor Castle?

During its history, Upnor Castle was very much an active military site.

However, at the end of the war in 1945, the Admiralty gave approval for Upnor Castle to be used as a Departmental Museum. It was at this point, finally opened to the public.

Upnor Castle underwent a various levels of restoration and the castle was scheduled as an Ancient Monument in January 1960. Currently, Upnor Castle is managed by English Heritage and remains part of the Crown Estate.

The history at Upnor Castle

This beautifully preserved castle is set along the Medway River and the village of Upnor. The castle boasts a rare example of an Elizabethan artillery fort. The castle construction begun in 1559 and redeveloped in 1599-1601, to protect warships moored at Chatham dockyards.

However, the castle failed its duty in 1667 when the Dutch sailed past it to burn or capture the English fleet at anchor.

The historic importance of Upnor Castle

Upnor Castle Weddings

The castle can be hired for wedding ceremonies lasting about 30 minutes in the Upper Magazine. However, the castle is still open to the public during this time (3.5 hours for the hire). English Heritage will also hand out free audios to visitors an hour before the ceremony starts.

Important details about weddings at Upnor Castle:

Accommodates: 80 people seated and 20 standing. Upnor Castle is a ceremony only venue.

Features: The venue has a river view and beautiful gardens.

Parking: Local pay and display car parks a short walk away.

Gardens: Yes

Accessibility: The castle has lots of steps throughout and is not wheelchair friendly.

Upnor Castle Halloween

Each year, various local groups hold events during Halloween at the castle. These may include a heritage trail for young children, or making your own Halloween crafts at the castle.

Explore Kent is a great resource to check each Halloween for local activities, both at the castle and in the community.

Upnor Castle House, Kent

Behind the historical castle seats and beautiful Georgian fronted country house, commonly called Upnor Castle House.

Not only is it within the castle grounds and overlooking the Medway River, but it also comes with a swimming pool, grass tennis court and 5-acre walled garden.

Originally built in mid-17th century, Upnor Castle House was accommodation for the Storekeeper, the officer in charge of the magazine. Expanded in the 18th century, it is now a private residence.

Looking for a place to stay in Upnor? While the Upnor Castle House is a private home, they do offer a rental property in the castle grounds.

Currently called “The Stables,” this small holiday home is available for rentals within the Upnor Castle House grounds. This historical building has two bedrooms and can house up to 4 people looking for a beautiful getaway.

Upnor Castle Open Air Theatre

For those looking for something exciting to do in the area, Upnor Castle hosts a unique open air theatre produced by Changeling Theatre.

Founded in 1997, Changeling Theatre works to to produce high quality, entertaining theatre in non-traditional locations across South East England. Upnor Castle is one of their many locations.

They also create site-specific performances in locations such as Chatham Dockyard, Dover Castle and Maidstone Football Ground.

Walks near Upnor Castle

There are numerous hikes and walks near Upnor Castle that make for a wonderful afternoon out. After visiting the castle, you can easily walk up the High Street in Upper Upnor, down into Lower Upper and along the stoney beach.

One circular route is nearly 5 miles but includes wonderful views along the shoreline and nearby woodland.

Upnor Walk
5 mile route from Upper Upnor, along Upnor Beach, through Hoo and back to Upnor.

While there are some inclines around Upnor, most of the paths and walkways are fairly flat, making it perfect for easy walks, runs or cycling.

Should I visit Upnor Castle?

If you have any interest in castles, history or architecture, Upnor Castle is a must-see. It’s a hidden gem tucked away in Upnor that many people don’t even realise it’s there. While it’s not as big as other castles around Kent, it certainly has it’s own charm and history.

Visiting the castle, surrounding village and a local pub is a great day out in Kent.

Covid-19 update

Currently, Upnor Castle is closed to visitors during Covid-19. Once English Heritage has deemed it safe to the public to re-open, they will issue a notice across their social media and website.

Filed Under: History, Visiting Upnor Tagged With: English Heritage, history, Upnor Castle, Upper Upnor

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