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Upnor’s London Stones

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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:

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.

What Happened to Arethusa Venture Centre?

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When we first moved to Upnor, we’d see kids from the Venture Centre out on the water in their kayaks almost every day, but recently we wondered why that’s no longer the case.

According to the charity that owns the centre, Shaftesbury Young People, Arethusa Venture Centre closed down in 2019 due to lower demand and decreasing margins for the services offered.

We spoke with a representative from Shaftesbury Young People who gave us some insight into why it was closed and we did some digging to find out more information about the closure and what’s planned to take its place.

Arethusa Venture Centre from the outside
Arethusa Venture Centre in Upnor

Arethusa Venture Centre’s Closure

Built in 1935, the Arethusa Venture Centre closed its doors for good in 2019, apparently without much warning, but after many slow months of bookings. The charity behind the centre called it quits with a public statement put out on their website which can be viewed here.

Frustratingly (at least for many residents and visitors to Upnor) the public toilets near Upnor Beach were owned by Arethusa and thus are no longer open or accessible which has led to a rash of public fouling.

With that said, some residents welcome the closure as it will bring new development to the area, and for the time-being has reduced traffic and noise.

Auction

There was an auction held by Frederick Andrews Ltd to sell all assets, fixtures and fittings the Arethusa centre owned to raise funds before the sale. 625 lots were listed by Frederick Andrews on easyliveauction.com with the majority sold. For those curious, you can view the items that were up for auction here.

Activities

Popular with schools and local thrill-seekers, the site offered kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and plenty more both with equipment available for rent and with instruction or group classes for institutions like local schools and colleges.

The activity centre had grass pitches, an indoor activity hall, plenty of storage and a jetty to launch small and personal water-craft from, but all are now going unused.

Alternatives to Arethusa

For all of those left high and dry by Arethusa Venture Centre’s closing, we’ve collected the opinions from our more active friends to give you the best options for the water sports and activities that were previously offered by Arethusa.

Kayaking / Canoeing

Rock Climbing Walls

Swimming Pools

Orienteering Options

All the above have maps available for download from the British Orienteering website here.

What’s planned for the site

The site has been sold for development to an unnamed buyer, but we don’t anticipate much happening for several years. Planning permission on River Medway’s waterfront is notoriously hard to come by, and the listed status of the HMS Arethusa’s figurehead must be taken into account. If the Esquire development in Upper Upnor is any indication, any development plans that disrupt the local residents will be met with strong and vociferous opposition.

We’ll be contacting the previous owners, and looking at the land registry to find more information – if you want to know what we find, join our mailing list here!

HMS Arethusa Figurehead in Lower Upnor
HMS Arethusa Figurehead at Upnor

Arethusa Figurehead

In January of 2019, the figurehead from the ship Arethusa (from which the activity centre gets its name and stands outside of the centre’s main building) was designated as a Grade II listed structure and as such is guaranteed protection by the government and council. This means that while Arethusa’s buildings and land may change hands, the figurehead (and thus likely the cannons too) will stay put and protected.

Upnor Beach | Medway’s Secret Gem

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The village of Upnor lies on the banks of the river Medway and at low tide you’re able to walk along the shore all the way to Hoo Marina. While we suppose Upnor Beach technically is a beach we wouldn’t like to sunbathe there or try to build a sandcastle!

The views are pretty spectacular, but the river banks at Upnor are very muddy and stony which don’t make for a very fun time if you’re looking to do much else but enjoy the scenery.

Upnor beach at sunrise
Photograph by @rowesk

Read on to find our top tips for visiting the beach and what to do when you’re here!

The beach is accessible from Lower Upnor and is part of the Saxon Shore Way walking path that runs much of Kent’s coastline. Due to the tide times, however, the full path towards Hoo isn’t accessible for much of the day and requires good timing should you plan on walking to Hoo and back without getting some wet socks!

Upnor beach is 1.6km long before crossing its narrowest point at Cockham Wood Fort – a point which takes roughly 40 minutes to stroll to and back from the start of the path in Lower Upnor.

The only public toilets for miles have been shuttered with the recent closure of the Arethusa Adventure Centre, which owned the land and the toilets which were primarily used by those at the club who were kayaking on the water along Upnor Beach.

If you continue along the road in Lower Upnor, you’ll eventually come across the Upnor Sailing Club. These boats launch from Upnor Beach and sail along the River Medway and beyond.

There are several interesting spots along Upnor Beach which you should keep an eye out for should you walk along our little portion of Saxon Shore Way, including a military pillbox built in 1940 which sadly has slipped from it’s standing on the shoreline to the beach (but makes for an interesting photo). It’s a FW3/22 class box, built to protect the UK from a potential enemy invasion during World War II.

Pillbox at Upnor Beach, Saxon Shore Way
Photograph courtesy of Edenbridge Fragrances

Is Upnor Beach dog friendly?

Absolutely! The local pubs may not be (check our updated guide to Upnor’s pubs for the latest information there) but our dogs always have a great time dashing into the water and digging in the silt. We must warn you though that the beach is always muddy, so remember to bring towels for your four legged companions!

Is it recommended for families?

It’s a short walk from the car park, so while we would recommend it for families, it really is a walking beach rather than a pleasure beach. If you’re expecting to make sand castles and get the beach chairs out, you may be sorely disappointed.

Jellyfish in Upnor

You may spot a few jellyfish washed up on Upnor’s beach, especially if we have had a hot summer. These jellyfish are usually the size of a small plate with four rings inside their translucent body and sometimes can blend into the rocks on the beach.

If you want to learn more about Upnor’s jellyfish, make sure to read our article: Should I be worried about Jellyfish in Upnor?

Nearby Attractions

Close to the beach are two pubs, The Pier and The Ship — both serve food, along with Upnor Castle a further 10 minute walk away. The Elizabethan military castle is a fascinating piece of history and highly recommended to visit if you’re in the area. You can find more out about the castle and its history here.

Upnor Beach Parking

There is parking available at a public car park close to Medway Yacht Club, but it is only open for limited periods throughout the day and year for safety and to prevent anti-social behaviour. With the sale of the Arethusa Adventure Centre however, this may change in the future, we’ll keep this page updated with any changes.

Otherwise, there is a free car park in Upper Upnor with limited spaces. However, this means you’ll need to walk to Upnor Beach (about 15 minutes). In addition, there are occasionally spots on the street around Lower Upnor, especially during the day when most people have left the village for work.

When’s the best time to go?

That really depends on the tide, but with a little planning you can walk all the way to Hoo from Upnor with some great views of the Medway river and even the boat graveyard in Hoo.

Check the tide table below to learn more.

51.5, 0.6667

The Best 4 Upnor Pubs | Where to get a pint

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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.

The Kings Arms Upnor Pubs
The Kings Arms, Upper Upnor

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.