WOODLAND STEP BRIDGE STEEP PATH 14% STEEP PATH 8% KEY VISIBLE FORTIFICATIONS To complete the trail in two shorter segments, follow the blue and yellow dotted lines DISCOVERY TRAIL ENTRANCE PUBLIC TOILETS PARKING (WEEKENDS ONLY) PARKING BUS STATION FOOTPATH Chatham Dockyard and its Defences Take the trail to discover Chatham’s exceptional story by foot. BROMPTON ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUM LIBRARY AND ARCHIVE CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL GREAT LINES PARK 2 3 4 5 8 6 historic.chatham C L @DockyardChatham thedockyard.co.uk/apps The historic village of Brompton was once a unique civilian enclave wholly within the defended military zone created by the Chatham Lines. Brompton Village 8 Upnor Castle was constructed in 1559, under orders from Queen Elizabeth I, and was intended to protect warships at anchor in the River Medway and at Chatham Dockyard. Upnor Castle 9 The Lower Lines Park contains a series of historic brick built fortifications, constructed in 1806 to help defend Chatham Dockyard from attack. The Lower Lines Park 3 The Royal Engineers Museum, Library and Archive is Kent’s only nationally designated museum, and the largest military museum in the South East. Major renovations taking place during 2016, please check website for details. The Royal Engineers Museum, Library and Archive 4 Once the open Field of Fire in front of Fort Amherst and the Chatham Lines (defences built to defend Chatham Dockyard), The Great Lines Heritage Park is now a public recreational ground. Great Lines Heritage Park 5 The Historic Dockyard Chatham is now the world’s most complete dockyard of the age of sail – a museum and visitor attraction with historic buildings, museum galleries and three historic warships – and also a place where people live, work and study. The Historic Dockyard Chatham 1 Completed in 1815, Fort Amherst is perhaps Britain’s best preserved example of fortification from the period. Fort Amherst 7 HMS Pembroke, a former naval barracks for sailors waiting to be appointed to ships of the Chatham Division of the Royal Navy, closed in March 1984. It is now home to the Universities at Medway (Universities of Kent, Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church). HMS Pembroke - Universities at Medway 2 Chatham Naval Memorial was built to commemorate those lost at sea in the First and Second World Wars. Chatham Naval Memorial 6 1 7 9 Thehistoricdockyardchatham START HERE
Transcript
7
GREAT LINES HERITAGE PARKACCESSIBLE FIELD OF FIRE
FORMER PART OFFIELD OF FIRE
INACCESSIBLE LINES
FORT AMHERSTACCESSIBLE LINES
THE WALK
THE HISTORIC DOCKYARDCHATHAM
UNIVERSITIES AT MEDWAY
ROYAL ENGINEER MUSEUM LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES
HMS Pembroke (now Universities of Medway)
DISCOVER CHATHAM DOCKYARD AND ITS DEFENCES
MA
XW
ELL
RO
AD
B R O M P T O N
GARDEN ST
HIG
H S
T
MA
NSI
ON
RO
W
WOOD STREET
SALLY PORT GARDENS
G I L L I N G H A M
T H EH I S T O R I C
D O C K Y A R D
C H A T H A M
CHATHAM
GILLINGHAM
(VIA MEDWAY TUNNEL)
WOODLAND STEP
BRIDGE
STEEP PATH 14%
STEEP PATH 8%
KEY
VISIBLE FORTIFICATIONS
To complete the trail in two shorter segments, follow the blue and yellow dotted lines
DISCOVERY TRAIL
ENTRANCE
GREAT LINES HERITAGE PARKACCESSIBLE FIELD OF FIRE
FORMER PART OFFIELD OF FIRE
INACCESSIBLE LINES
FORT AMHERSTACCESSIBLE LINES
THE WALK
THE HISTORIC DOCKYARDCHATHAM
UNIVERSITIES AT MEDWAY
ROYAL ENGINEER MUSEUM LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES
HMS Pembroke (now Universities of Medway)
DISCOVER CHATHAM DOCKYARD AND ITS DEFENCES
MA
XW
ELL
RO
AD
B R O M P T O N
GARDEN ST
HIG
H S
T
MA
NSI
ON
RO
W
WOOD STREET
SALLY PORT GARDENS
G I L L I N G H A M
T H EH I S T O R I C
D O C K Y A R D
C H A T H A M
CHATHAM
GILLINGHAM
(VIA MEDWAY TUNNEL)
GREAT LINES HERITAGE PARKACCESSIBLE FIELD OF FIRE
FORMER PART OFFIELD OF FIRE
INACCESSIBLE LINES
FORT AMHERSTACCESSIBLE LINES
THE WALK
THE HISTORIC DOCKYARDCHATHAM
UNIVERSITIES AT MEDWAY
ROYAL ENGINEER MUSEUM LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES
HMS Pembroke (now Universities of Medway)
DISCOVER CHATHAM DOCKYARD AND ITS DEFENCES
MA
XW
ELL
RO
AD
B R O M P T O N
GARDEN ST
HIG
H S
T
MA
NSI
ON
RO
W
WOOD STREET
SALLY PORT GARDENS
G I L L I N G H A M
T H EH I S T O R I C
D O C K Y A R D
C H A T H A M
CHATHAM
GILLINGHAM
(VIA MEDWAY TUNNEL)
PUBLIC TOILETS
PARKING (WEEKENDS ONLY)
PARKING
GREAT LINES HERITAGE PARKACCESSIBLE FIELD OF FIRE
FORMER PART OFFIELD OF FIRE
INACCESSIBLE LINES
FORT AMHERSTACCESSIBLE LINES
THE WALK
THE HISTORIC DOCKYARDCHATHAM
UNIVERSITIES AT MEDWAY
ROYAL ENGINEER MUSEUM LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES
HMS Pembroke (now Universities of Medway)
DISCOVER CHATHAM DOCKYARD AND ITS DEFENCES
MA
XW
ELL
RO
AD
B R O M P T O N
GARDEN ST
HIG
H S
T
MA
NSI
ON
RO
W
WOOD STREET
SALLY PORT GARDENS
G I L L I N G H A M
T H EH I S T O R I C
D O C K Y A R D
C H A T H A M
CHATHAM
GILLINGHAM
(VIA MEDWAY TUNNEL)
BUS STATION
FOOTPATH
GREAT LINES HERITAGE PARKACCESSIBLE FIELD OF FIRE
FORMER PART OFFIELD OF FIRE
INACCESSIBLE LINES
FORT AMHERSTACCESSIBLE LINES
THE WALK
THE HISTORIC DOCKYARDCHATHAM
UNIVERSITIES AT MEDWAY
ROYAL ENGINEER MUSEUM LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES
HMS Pembroke (now Universities of Medway)
DISCOVER CHATHAM DOCKYARD AND ITS DEFENCES
MA
XW
ELL
RO
AD
B R O M P T O N
GARDEN ST
HIG
H S
T
MA
NSI
ON
RO
W
WOOD STREET
SALLY PORT GARDENS
G I L L I N G H A M
T H EH I S T O R I C
D O C K Y A R D
C H A T H A M
CHATHAM
GILLINGHAM
(VIA MEDWAY TUNNEL)
Chatham Dockyard and its DefencesTake the trail to discover Chatham’s exceptional story by foot.
GREAT LINES HERITAGE PARKACCESSIBLE FIELD OF FIRE
FORMER PART OFFIELD OF FIRE
INACCESSIBLE LINES
FORT AMHERSTACCESSIBLE LINES
THE WALK
THE HISTORIC DOCKYARDCHATHAM
UNIVERSITIES AT MEDWAY
ROYAL ENGINEER MUSEUM LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES
DISCOVER CHATHAM DOCKYARD AND ITS DEFENCES
B R O M P T O N
ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUM LIBRARY AND ARCHIVE
CHATHAMNAVALMEMORIAL
GREAT LINES PARK
2
3
4
5
8
6
historic.chathamC L@DockyardChatham
thedockyard.co.uk/apps
The historic village of Brompton was once a unique civilian enclave wholly within the defended military zone created by the Chatham Lines.
Brompton Village8
Upnor Castle was constructed in 1559, under orders from Queen Elizabeth I, and was intended to protect warships at anchor in the River Medway and at Chatham Dockyard.
Upnor Castle9
The Lower Lines Park contains a series of historic brick built fortifications, constructed in 1806 to help defend Chatham Dockyard from attack.
The Lower Lines Park3
The Royal Engineers Museum, Library and Archive is Kent’s only nationally designated museum, and the largest military museum in the South East. Major renovations taking place during 2016, please check website for details.
The Royal Engineers Museum, Library and Archive
4
Once the open Field of Fire in front of Fort Amherst and the Chatham Lines (defences built to defend Chatham Dockyard), The Great Lines Heritage Park is now a public recreational ground.
Great Lines Heritage Park
5
The Historic Dockyard Chatham is now the world’s most complete dockyard of the age of sail – a museum and visitor attraction with historic buildings, museum galleries and three historic warships – and also a place where people live, work and study.
The Historic Dockyard Chatham1
Completed in 1815, Fort Amherst is perhaps Britain’s best preserved example of fortification from the period.
Fort Amherst7
HMS Pembroke, a former naval barracks for sailors waiting to be appointed to ships of the Chatham Division of the Royal Navy, closed in March 1984. It is now home to the Universities at Medway (Universities of Kent, Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church).
HMS Pembroke - Universities at Medway
2
Chatham Naval Memorial was built to commemorate those lost at sea in the First and Second World Wars.
DISCOVERY TRAILDISCOVER CHATHAM’S EXCEPTIONAL NAVAL & MILITARY HERITAGE
5. Great Lines Heritage ParkPreviously the Field of Fire, this area was kept free of trees and buildings to allow long sight lines for defensive cannon fire. Later, the site was used by the Royal Engineers as a training ground (documented in Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers). During the First World War volunteer recruits camped here before departing for France and Belgium.
6. Chatham Naval MemorialThis is one of three identical memorials commissioned by the Admiralty after the First World War to commemorate those lost at sea. The memorial was extended after the Second World War to commemorate further losses. In total it is inscribed with 18, 500 names. The photograph overleaf shows the Prince of Wales unveiling the monument in 1924.The memorial is open from 08:30 to 17:00.
CHATHAM DOCKYARD AND ITS DEFENCES
Before you goDownload the app by searching Chatham trail in your app provider . This trail takes in 4 ½ miles of exceptional heritage landscape, shaped by Chatham’s Royal Dockyard and the defences built to protect it. You can start at any point on route and complete it over any number of visits (there are two half-length trails suggested on this guide) - but please proceed clockwise. It should take around 2 ½ hours to complete.
Dogs and cyclists are welcome, but please respect related signage. Parts of the trail take in private land, and may be closed at night (as is the case with Fort Amherst) or for special events. The trail is not recommended outside of daylight hours.
The two sub-trails in the Lower Lines Park and Fort Amherst involve unmade paths, relatively steep climbs and, regrettably, are not wheelchair accessible. You are advised to wear suitable walking shoes.
4. The Royal Engineers Museum, Library and ArchivesThe museum is housed within the Ravelin building, originally the Royal Engineers’ electrical school, which opened in 1905. Buy a ticket to learn of 900 years of unbroken service to the crown and to see captivating objects, such as the world’s first usable guided torpedo, a large piece of the Berlin Wall, a Harrier Jump Jet and a V2 Rocket.
re-museum.co.uk
As you continue along Brompton road you’ll pass the King Charles Hotel – the former NAAFI - on your left.
TIP
Follow the path towards the horizon. At the end of the trees on your right, turn right towards Chatham Naval Memorial.
TIP
As you leave, keep the memorial on your left. Turn right at the path’s first junction. Enter Fort Amherst by the gate straight ahead.
TIP
Take the trail to discover Chatham’s exceptional naval and military heritage.
8. Brompton VillageBrompton was home to a varied population in the mid-18th century (high-ranking Dockyard officials, manual Dockyard workers and naval officers – including Admiral Nelson). Prospect, Mansion Row and much of Garden Street boast original 18th century officers’ residences. At its mid-19th century peak, Brompton boasted over 40 pubs and taverns.
On Dock Road you will pass a plaque commemorating the Dock Road bus disaster. On 4 December 1951, in darkness and fog, a double-decker bus struck 52 members of the Royal Marine Volunteer Cadets. 24 children were killed and 18 injured. At the time it was the greatest loss of life in any British road accident.
9. Upnor CastleThe castle proved ineffective when called to arms during the Dutch Raid of 1667, losing its role as an active defence. It was later used as a Gunpowder Magazine and at one point it held more gunpowder than the Tower of London. Buy a ticket to explore the castle’s history and beautiful riverside grounds.
visitmedway.org/places-of-interest/upnor-castle
7. Fort AmherstConcealing a labyrinth of underground tunnels, Fort Amherst was built to defend Chatham Dockyard. Although never attacked, by 1820 it was not suitable as a defence and it was used for storage and training. Follow signs for the Caveyard Café for toilets, refreshments, tickets to tunnel tours and further information.
fortamherst.com
As you leave, walk towards the Garrison Church of St Barbara, straight ahead on Maxwell Road.
TIP
Follow Brompton High Street to the very end and turn left on to Wood Street.
TIP
Fort AmherstBefore the small bridge crossing, take the path to your left and continue downhill. Exit on to Khartoum Road, and then immediately turn left in to the Fort Amherst cave yard. Once you have explored the cave yard area, exit onto Khartoum Road and take the immediate right back up the hill to the small bridge on your left.
SUB TRAILS
The Lower Lines ParkOnce you arrive in the Lower Lines Park, take the first right, and cross the bridge over the ditch. Turn left, and then keep left. Take the metal steps up and enter the ditch down the slope to your left. Follow the course of the ditch, and go under the bridge you previously crossed. Turn right at the end of the ditch, and re-enter the park at the next right hand turn. Follow the main footpath up the hill.
SUB ROUTE ASUITABLE FOR DISABLED ACCESS
SUB ROUTE BREGRETFULLY, NO DISABLED ACCESS
STEEP GRASS DECLINE
3. The Lower Lines ParkThis is the site of fortifications that were built in 1806 to protect Chatham Dockyard. It is also where the residence for the Commander in Chief of the Nore was. Admiralty House was built around 1900 and was demolished in 1959.
Walk between the hotel and the long white building. Turn right, HMS Pembroke is across the roundabout.
TIP
2. HMS Pembroke - Universities at MedwayBuilt between 1897 and 1902, HMS Pembroke provided accommodation in the buildings that extend along the upper level of Central Avenue. Buildings on the lower level were used for training and leisure activities - a swimming pool, cinema, gym, and bowling alley.
Pass the vehicle barrier and turn right on to New Kent Road. Cross the road and at the end of it, cross and enter the park.
TIP
1. The Historic Dockyard ChathamGrowing from a Tudor fleet base to a Royal Naval Dockyard, Chatham Dockyard built and repaired timber-hulled warships of the age of sail (including HMS Victory), steel-hulled steam-powered battleships in the 19th century and submarines in the 20th century until closure in 1984.
It is now an independent museum. Visit the free-to-enter Discovery Centre, outdoor play area and fully licensed restaurant or buy a ticket (valid for twelve months) to gain access to a quarter of a mile long Victorian Ropery, three significant historic ships, and exceptional museum galleries.
thedockyard.co.uk
FUNDED BY A NUMBER OF SUPPORTERS INCLUDING:GREAT LINES HERITAGE PARKACCESSIBLE FIELD OF FIRE
