Chatham Dockyard and its Defences

Built in 1559 to defend Chatham Dockyard and Elizabeth I’s warships moored in the River Medway.

Built in 1806 as an extension to the Chatham Lines. In c1900 Admiralty House, the home of Commander in Chief Nore, was built on its Field of Fire. The House no longer survives, the fortifications do, now part of the Lower Lines Park. Explore on foot.

Built 1897 -1902 as HMS Pembroke to provide accommodation for men of the Chatham Division of the Royal Navy awaiting ships. In 1895 the navy had been divided into three divisions – Chatham, Portsmouth and Devonport (Plymouth) Access by foot.

Completed in 1815 as a line of fortifications over 3 km long that enclosed the Dockyard and village of Brompton. Fort Amherst is now one of Britain’s best preserved Napoleonic Fortresses. Today Fort Amherst forms part of the Great Lines Heritage Park.

Museum: Brompton barracks became the headquarters of the Royal Engineers in the 19th century – a role that continues today.

The Field of Fire was land owned by the Ordnance Board kept as open grassland to provide guns mounted in the Chatham Lines with a clear field of fire. Today the Field of Fire forms part of the Great Lines Heritage Park.