Set within approximately four acres of secluded, high-walled grounds, this remarkable 17th-century residence, offers the rare opportunity to become custodian of a distinguished piece of English heritage. Originally built to accommodate the senior officer in charge of Upnor Castle, the house has quietly witnessed centuries of history while evolving into an elegant and comfortable family home.

Mid-17th-century origins were enlarged and re-fronted in the Georgian style (likely in the early 19th century under the direction of Edward Holl, an architect to the navy board), creating the graceful, symmetrical façade seen today. The principal house retains a wealth of original features, including sash windows, panelled doors, fireplaces, working shutters and the original maid’s bell system, which remains fully operational in all main rooms, a rare and evocative detail that connects past and present.

There is a particular stillness to the approach. A sense, even before the gates open, that this is somewhere altogether different. Beyond them lies complete privacy and security within historic walled grounds, where centuries of English history are woven quietly into the fabric of everyday life. This is not simply a home you move into. It is one you step into, with all the weight, beauty and permanence that brings.

The Principal House
The ground floor unfolds in a sequence of elegant reception rooms. A drawing room filled with light, a more intimate sitting room, a formal dining space and a garden room that opens gently onto the landscape beyond. There is a natural rhythm to the layout, allowing for both entertaining on a grand scale and quieter, more reflective moments.

Grand reception rooms enjoy fine proportions and impressive ceiling heights. Four fully serviced operational stove fireplaces provide both warmth and character. At the centre of daily life sits the kitchen and breakfast room, practical, well equipped and perfectly positioned. Supporting spaces including a laundry/utility room and cloakroom ensure the house functions as effortlessly as any modern home.

Upstairs, two magnificent principal suites enjoy elevated panoramic views across the gardens towards the River Medway, each with its own dressing room and en-suite bathroom. Four further bedrooms and a family bathroom occupy the upper floor, offering generous accommodation for family and guests.

The central heating system allows each room to be controlled individually for maximum efficiency, while a lighting system (in selected rooms) offers timers and sensors. Underfloor heating is installed in every bathroom, and full fibre WiFi is provided throughout. Windows and doors have been completely refurbished with upgraded draft proofing, and the property benefits from a gold standard ADT alarm system with police response.

Beyond the Main House
Complementing the main house is a beautifully presented two-bedroom Stable Cottage, complete with kitchen, living space and bathroom. Set slightly apart, it offers independence without separation, ideal for guests, extended family, staff or a source of income.
An original cottage (with restoration potential), extensive stores and a collection of outbuildings further enhance the estate. A particular outbuilding enjoys stunning views and offers exciting potential for conversion to a remarkable river-facing office or entertainment space (subject to the necessary consents).

A preserved WWII bomb shelter adds to the sense of layered history and further development potential. In total the property provides over 7000 sq. ft of accommodation, delivering exceptional flexibility.

Gardens and Grounds
Approached through impressive gates and a sweeping gravel driveway, the house enjoys complete privacy within its historic high-walled grounds. Each gate pillar is adorned with a lead plaque of Elizabeth I, marking her historic visit to the estate. Planning permission is also in place for gate automation.

The gardens have been thoughtfully cultivated over many years and feel established and settled. Roses and wisteria soften the structure, while an impressive collection of mature specimen and fruit trees provide scale and seasonal change. Among them, a mulberry tree traditionally said to have been planted by Queen Elizabeth I anchors the space in both history and folklore.
The grounds include a swimming pool, grass tennis court, croquet lawn, orchard, wildflower meadow and a sun-trapped courtyard ideal for outdoor entertaining — a wonderful setting for both family life and entertaining.

Where History Has Left Its Mark    Positioned beside Upnor Castle and overlooking the River Medway, the house was originally built in the 17th century to accommodate the senior naval officer charged with defending this stretch of coastline. From the outset, it was a home of purpose and importance. Folklore records that Queen Elizabeth I visited both the castle and the house.

Its story unfolds alongside that of the nation itself. During the English Civil War, the surrounding castle and buildings changed hands between Royalist and Parliamentary forces. In 1667, Upnor Castle famously saw action against the Dutch who, having captured Sheerness, sailed up the Medway and captured several English warships at anchor at Chatham — perceived as the worst naval defeat ever suffered by England. Thereafter the castle took on the role of a major supply depot.

Centuries later, during the Second World War, two German bombs fell within the grounds in June 1941. The house endured, remarkably intact. Today, faint traces of shrapnel remain in the door frame and shutters of a guest bedroom — small and almost imperceptible reminders of a past few homes can claim. A preserved WWII bomb shelter remains within the grounds.

During restoration, a small silk and leather shoe was discovered concealed within the structure, dating from the late 17th century (circa 1660–1680). Once believed to ward off evil spirits, it remains a poignant symbol of the lives and beliefs that have passed through these rooms.

After the war the castle was decommissioned, and Upnor Castle House was handed over to the Royal Engineers. In the mid-1980s the Ministry of Defence offered the house for sale; The adjacent Upnor Castle is now managed by English Heritage.

Upnor Castle    Is an Elizabethan artillery fort on the west bank of the River Medway in Upper Upnor, Kent, built to protect the Royal Navy’s ships and the developing Chatham Dockyard.

Commissioned in 1559 by Elizabeth I and her Privy Council amid tensions with Spain and other powers, the fort was designed by military engineer Sir Richard Lee (though largely supervised by his deputy). It was built on about 6 acres of land acquired for £25 opposite St Mary’s Creek. The main structure was completed around 1564–1567.

It features a two-storey main block (keep), a triangular water bastion projecting into the river for guns, and later landward defences. Between 1599 and 1601 the defences were strengthened with a curtain wall, deep ditch, gatehouse, and flanking towers. By the time of the Spanish Armada (1588) it had a small garrison of gunners; peak armament reached around 20 guns of various sizes, with a garrison of about 80 men in the later 16th century.

The castle saw its only significant action during the Raid on the Medway (12–14 June 1667) in the Second Anglo-Dutch War. A Dutch fleet under the nominal command of Lieutenant-Admiral Michiel de Ruyter sailed up the Thames and Medway. English defences (including a chain across the river) were poorly prepared and under-resourced.

The Dutch broke through, captured or burned several major English warships (including towing away the flagship HMS Royal Charles), and inflicted one of the worst defeats in Royal Navy history. Upnor’s guns and a hastily assembled nearby battery exchanged fire with the Dutch; the garrison was praised for its efforts despite inadequate supplies (noted by Samuel Pepys). However, the fort’s design limited its ability to bring enough guns to bear effectively on ships approaching upriver, and it could not stop the raid.

After the raid, Medway defences were reorganised with newer forts built further downstream. Upnor was converted into a naval magazine and stores depot (by 1691 it was one of England’s largest gunpowder stores). It continued in this role, later serving as an ordnance laboratory and supply facility under the Admiralty (transferred from the War Office in 1891). It remained in military use into the Second World War (damaged by bombs in 1941) and was still employed until around 1945.

After the war it was turned into a museum, scheduled as an Ancient Monument in 1960, and is now managed by English Heritage (while remaining part of the Crown Estate). It is a Grade I listed building and a well-preserved example of a late Tudor gun fort, distinct from earlier Henrician coastal forts.

Today it is open to visitors (with limited seasonal access under English Heritage), offering views over the Medway and exhibits on its history, including the 1667 raid.

Location    Upnor is a picturesque historic riverside village on the western bank of the River Medway in Kent. It is divided into two distinct areas: the waterfront community of Lower Upnor and the residential neighbourhood of Upper Upnor.

The village is defined by its narrow-cobbled streets, traditional weatherboard cottages, and characterful brick buildings. It is best known for Upnor Castle, a well-preserved Elizabethan artillery fort built in the 16th century to defend Chatham Dockyard.

Upnor has four traditional, historic pubs and excellent walking trails. Padel, tennis, cricket, and the Royal Medway Yacht Club are all within walking distance, with several golf courses nearby. High-performing academies and private schools are readily accessible in the surrounding area.

Its location is highly convenient. Rochester, Strood, Chatham Dockside, and Bluewater are all easily reached by public transport, rail, or a short drive, offering a wide choice of deep history, bars, restaurants, nightlife, and shopping.

Transport Information    Strood 1.2 miles (High speed rail services to London in as little as 32 minutes)
Rochester 1.7 miles (High speed rail services to London in as little as 36 minutes)
Ebbsfleet International 6.5 miles (High speed rail services to London in as little as 18 minutes)
The A2, M2, M20, M25 & Dartford crossing are all easily accessible within a short drive.

All distances are approximate and calculated as the crow files.

Local Schools    Cedar Children’s Academy (0.9 miles) — Good (maintained in 2024 ungraded inspection; previously Good)
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School (1.0 miles) — Good (2023 inspection of the Medway/Gillingham school)
Bligh Primary School (1.1 miles) — Good (Juniors: Good in 2023; Infants: Good overall in 2025 with Outstanding personal development and early years)
Elaine Primary School (1.2 miles) — Good (2022)
Wainscott Primary School (1.3 miles) — Good (2024)
Halling Primary School (1.6 miles) — Good (2023; Outstanding for personal development)
All Faiths Children’s Academy (1.7 miles) — Good (previous overall Good; 2025 ungraded inspection noted some aspects may not be as strong as before)
Gordon Children’s Academy (1.8 miles) — Good (2022 for both Infant and Junior schools)

Secondary Schools
Maritime Academy (0.7 miles) — Good in all key areas (2025 inspection; new free school under the Thinking Schools Academy Trust)
Leigh Academy (Strood, 1.5 miles) — Positive recent inspection (2026 under the new framework; previously strong)
The Rochester Grammar School (2.7 miles) — Good (2023; selective girls’ grammar)
Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School (2.8 miles) — Outstanding in all areas (2023; selective boys’ grammar)
The Thomas Aveling School (3.2 miles) — Good (maintained in 2022)
Fort Pitt Grammar School (3.3 miles) — Outstanding in all areas (2022; selective girls’ grammar)
Holcombe Grammar School (3.8 miles) — Good (maintained in 2024; selective boys’ grammar)

Independent Schools
King’s School Rochester (2.6 miles) - Met all Independent School Standards (ISI inspection 2024)
Gad’s Hill Higham (2.7 miles) - Met all Independent School Standards (ISI inspection 2024)
Rochester Independent College (3.1 miles) - Fully compliant with standards (recent ISI inspections, including 2023 regulatory compliance)
Cobham Hall School (4.8 miles) - Met all Independent School Standards (ISI 2023)
St Andrew’s School (5.0 miles) - Met all required standards (ISI inspection November 2025)

All distances are approximate and calculated as the crow files.

Useful Information    We recognise that buying a property is a big commitment and therefore recommend that you visit the local authority websites for more helpful information about the property and local area before proceeding.

Some information in these details is taken from third party sources. Should any of the information be critical in your decision making then please contact Fine & Country for verification.

Council Tax    We are informed that Upnor Castle House is in council tax band H & Upnor Castle House Stables is in council tax band B. You should verify this with Medway Borough Council during conveyancing.

Tenure    The vendor advises us that this property is Freehold. Should you proceed with the purchase of the property your solicitor must verify these details.

Appliances/Services    The mention of any appliances and/or services within these sales particulars does not imply that they are in full efficient working order.

Measurements    All measurements are approximate and therefore may be subject to a small margin of error.

Opening Hours    Monday to Friday 9.00 am – 6.30 pm
Saturday 9.00 am – 6.00 pm
Sunday 9.00 am - 6.00 pm
Strictly via Frederick Lloyd - Fine & Country North West Kent

Ref    HA/FL/JT/231026 - HLC260001