Tuesday 27 October 2009

Tilbury Fort

Something a little different. A few weeks ago we decided on a visit to Tilbury Fort one afternoon. As I got out of the car I realised that I had left my camera at home. I hate to go anywhere that affords a photo opportunity without my camera so,turn around and home we go. Fortunately it is not much more than 30 minutes away from home but Alan was adamant that he was not going to go back again that day. I don't blame him! So, instead I quickly made out a shopping list and we did the weekly shop instead, deciding to return to Tilbury the next morning.



As we see here, Tilbury Fort has been protecting London for over 500 years. It is situated alongside the River Thames with views out to the estuary and is only a museum now.


We go inside and explore England's finest example of a 17th century bastioned artillery fort that remained active into the 20th century.










Officers houses built in 1600 - front



and back


a bedroom






















Alan playing his part for the photo





The amnunition had to be stored underground in case of explosion






One could not pass this point without changing outer clothes and shoes so as to not take in any dust or grit which could spark an explosion







Here we have the Gunpowder store with reinforced walls






And lastly a peep at The Thames before making our way home

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Quite an interesting post. Thanks for the tour. Your pics are great.
QMM

Elizabeth said...

How did I ever manage not to go here?
We often took the ferry from Tilbury to Gravesend before they made the Dartford Tunnel.
I love your tours of my old home county.
The bedroom in the barracks looks excatly like the bed rooms at school --where we froze nightly as there was no central heating (or any other kind....!)
Claudia is currently working at the Maritime Museum in Greenwich.
Apparently they have super buildings and an excellent collection.
You and Alan should go there for a visit.

Willow said...

So very interesting, Barbara!

Out comes my map to identify its location!

Needled Mom said...

Very interesting trip. I am so glad that you went back for your camera as I would have hated to miss the great photos.

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Well, that was interesting, and as you said, something different!

Adrienne said...

What an incredible tour! Thanks for sharing it with us. So glad you went back with your camera. I enjoyed seeing a piece of the history of your area.
~Adrienne~

Tea Time With Melody said...

I have been gone for a while but I am back and so happy I stopped by here and had so many posts to read! You have been very busy and I like that, hahaha. Just keep traveling and I will be happy to read the posts.

Pomona said...

Glad you managed some photos in the end! We went all the way to Weardale last weekend and I realized 45mins up the road on Friday night that I had left my bag containing glasses and camera at home! But the traffic was so bad, and the journey so long that we just couldn't go back!

Pomona x

Charm and Grace said...

Oh my, this look at such a historical fort puts me in mind of a favorite mystery series, "Foyle's War." What fantastic photos and great history there. Thanks so much for your well-wishes with on my bout with flu. I got quite a chuckle over your comment about being glad it's not a virus that spreads through computers. Me too! I would hate to expose all my blog friends.

Christi

Linda said...

I've visited several places like that in France too, especially in Normandy.

Michael said...

Thaks Barbara for voting but be sure to also sing up in the guestbook RSVP post I jsut put up.

Now, keep in mind, tea is certainly not well known here in Colorado but you have to keep in mind too I am not from here--thus my love for tea..as any good Brit, Americanized as I have become! Tea still runs in my veins. :)

Anonymous said...

Whew. I wouldn't want to be the one to take the ammo underground.

Very nice tour. Thank you.