History
Grain Fort was built during the 1860s on the Isle of Grain to protect the mouth of the river Medway. It was constructed with a crescent shaped keep, which formed the case-mated barracks and entrance to the fort.
A raised earth bank behind this formed around this was mounted with Rifled Muzzle Loading guns in large gun pits. The fort was protected by a surrounding dry ditch that was flanked by four caponiers. Guns continued to be mounted on the fort throughout WW1 and WW2, and was disused by the army in the 1950s. During the 1960s the fort was demolished, leaving only the underground sections. The site has not been developed, and it is open land, the shape of the gun positions and a wall here and there are the only reminders of this Napoleonic era fort.
The Explore
We had just paid a quick visit to the Battery Tower - with advise to go up quick and even told us the way up from the Coastguard officer on the shore to only come back to one of his colleagues explaining that we're trespassing (albeit true) and recorded us + cautioned not to come back. So thanks first coastguard guy for nothing, we'd have turned back had he said no at risk of there being eyes on us. But we then dried our shoes and marched to the old fort. This place has been pretty done to death, I myself have frequented it over 5 or so times in the past however is a good beginner explore to show to friends / family who are interested in urban exploration. Pretty simple entry points and a somewhat tight squeeze for a big boy like myself.
The Pictures
Grain Fort was built during the 1860s on the Isle of Grain to protect the mouth of the river Medway. It was constructed with a crescent shaped keep, which formed the case-mated barracks and entrance to the fort.
A raised earth bank behind this formed around this was mounted with Rifled Muzzle Loading guns in large gun pits. The fort was protected by a surrounding dry ditch that was flanked by four caponiers. Guns continued to be mounted on the fort throughout WW1 and WW2, and was disused by the army in the 1950s. During the 1960s the fort was demolished, leaving only the underground sections. The site has not been developed, and it is open land, the shape of the gun positions and a wall here and there are the only reminders of this Napoleonic era fort.
The Explore
We had just paid a quick visit to the Battery Tower - with advise to go up quick and even told us the way up from the Coastguard officer on the shore to only come back to one of his colleagues explaining that we're trespassing (albeit true) and recorded us + cautioned not to come back. So thanks first coastguard guy for nothing, we'd have turned back had he said no at risk of there being eyes on us. But we then dried our shoes and marched to the old fort. This place has been pretty done to death, I myself have frequented it over 5 or so times in the past however is a good beginner explore to show to friends / family who are interested in urban exploration. Pretty simple entry points and a somewhat tight squeeze for a big boy like myself.
The Pictures
