Monday 2 April 2012

Upner Castle, kent

Another castle - hope you are not getting bored with castles but we seem to have visited quite a few last year - so we are back in August


Set in tranquil grounds in the riverside village of Upner stands this rare exanple of an Elizabethan artillery fortress. It was built on the orders of Queen Elizabeth I in 1559 to defend her warships moored in the river and Chatham Dockyard. It proved ineffective in 1667 when the Dutch sailed up the river to attack the British fleet at anchor








It was also used to store gun powder for the Navy



It is now used as a wedding venue!
sitting on gun powder barrels!




Quite a step up if you wanted to get up here




List of officers in charge back to 1648



Upnor village next  


15 comments:

Vee said...

That's quite a wedding venue! Wonder how popular it is. All this talk of Elizabeth I reminds me that I have that excellent movie (The Golden Age), which always stirs me about the defending of Britain against the Spanish Armada. I did not know about the Dutch being successful in their attack. Off to Google. =D

Needled Mom said...

It looks as though it is a well maintained castle too. Sitting on those barrels for any length of time might get a bit uncomfortable, but a terrific idea.

Deanna said...

Hello from Kansas.
I've never been to a real castle and I hope that I will get to someday!
Neat to see your pictures.

May you have a pleasant Easter.
God bless and shine on,
d

Lorrie said...

I hope the wedding ceremony would be short - those barrels look a little uncomfortable to me. But what a fun wedding venue!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Those lists of officers, or priests, or whatever, that you have all over England (those I saw were in the big cathedrals) going back centuries are amazing. It really gave me a sense of the continuity from those ages until now...

This castle looks very utilitarian, and I guess it was. Can't imagine a wedding among the empty gunpowder barrels however!

Kay G. said...

Let's see, I think I might be related to that Major Brown...there are only a few Browns in England, right?

Cheri said...

I will never get tired of castles! Love the photos.

Annie Jeffries said...

Hi Barbara. I never, ever get tired of castles. Keep 'em coming. The history is fascinating.

Lori Zehr said...

I agree, I can't get tired of castles!

momto8 said...

wow!! that is a castle! so much to look at and see and thin about!!! My boys are forever trying to create ten with legos!
I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

CherryPie said...

I love castles and this is one I haven't been too. Thank you for sharing it with us :-)

Anonymous said...

I continue to enjoy your touring and history shots. I've always been fascinated by all things English but will probably never get there so this gives a less costly view of your history steeped country. Thanks.

Mary

La Petite Gallery said...

Dear Barbars, I never get tired of Castles. Sorry to hear England had Insect problems too. When I saw that infested tree It made me think of the Bible, Insects and crazy weather, what next?

Happy Easter, wonder what Hat the Queen will wear.
yvonne

Midwest to Midlands said...

I agree as never too many castles. What an interesting wedding venue too.

Rus said...

Great to be living in Kent with all these wonderful castles.