Visitor Information
The Trust and Volunteers welcome you to Fort Amherst – Britain’s history on your doorstep
Fort Amherst is a free-to-visit site. The only charges are for parking, tunnel tours and special events (free parking for paying visitors).
- Grounds opening times are seasonal. Please check grounds and tour times and check for closure notices to avoid disappointment.
- Guide Book. To help you explore this historically significant site and make the most of your visit, why not purchase our family-friendly guide book? Available from the Pantry Café, price £3.50.
- There’s always something happening at Fort Amherst – Check out our regular and special events here on our Events Calendar – https://www.fortamherst.com/calendar/.
- Our brand new Henry Hicks Trail is available daily! Please collect your worksheet from The Pantry Cafe to take part.
- The Pantry Cafe at Fort Amherst – Current opening times. 9.30am to 4.00pm Mon – Sat. 10:00am to 2:00pm Sundays. Please see The Pantry Facebook page for updates – https://www.facebook.com/pantrychatham/.
BRITAIN’S HISTORY ON YOUR DOORSTEP FORT AMHERST
Opening times
Autumn Opening Times
Fort Amherst grounds: Gates open 8.00am. Gates close at 5.00pm. Car Park closes at 6.00pm
The Pantry Café: Open 9.30am to 4.00pm Mondays to Saturdays and 10am – 2pm on Sundays.
Tunnel Tours: 11:00 & 13:00 each day.
Grounds: Fort Amherst has 20 acres of grounds to explore with walk-in access from the Great Lines Heritage Park by the Naval Memorial, from Amherst Redoubt by the Garrison Church on Maxwell Road, Brompton and from Barrack Hill off Dock Road, Chatham.
Fort Amherst Quest: This is a new initiative created by the Medway Healthy Walks initiative. Find out all the information you need and download the app here to get started. Follow the Quest around our 20 acres of green space and explore tunnels, ditches, ammunition magazines, cannons, soldier’s quarters and fortifications. It’s a healthy walk with a historical twist!
But it’s not just a walk, it’s a Quest – while you are exploring the site you can locate ten checkpoints, find clues to solve a puzzle and be entered into a prize draw.
Parking
Visitors to Fort Amherst and Grounds
Please note an ANPR camera system is in operation Terms and Conditions apply
ALL vehicles parked on the car park MUST have the registration number registered by one of the methods below. A ten-minute grace period is allowed for vehicles making a quick turnaround.
- Registering and any payment for parking can be made on a touch pad inside The Pantry Café
- When the café is closed use the Phone & Pay method at all times – See signs for information
You must register your vehicle by one of the above methods to avoid a Penalty Charge Notice.
When the café is closed, visitors must use Phone and Pay (please see signs). This is at a cost of £1 per hour and is strictly applied.
Non-Visitor Public Parking
The car park is available for casual parkers not visiting Fort Amherst or the Pantry Café. A digital permit must be obtained from and paid for in the café. If the café is closed, a Phone and Pay tariff is strictly applied for ALL vehicles using the car park.
Tunnel Tours:
Adults – £9.50
Children (5 to 15) – £6.50
Family (2 adults and 2 children) – £25.00
Concessions (Students, 65+) – £7.50
Disabled visitors pay the standard admission and can bring in a companion for free.
At this time we are not selling tickets on the day. Tickets must be purchased in advanced online.
Tunnel Tour Groups:
We love group visits! However, if you are booking a Tunnel Tour for a group of 10+ people, we request that you book 2 weeks in advance. Tour Times: Tunnel Tours take place daily, at 11.00 and 13:30.
Please ring the office (01634 847 747) or email admin@fortamherst.com for information.
FIND US
Fort AmherstDock Road
Chatham
Kent
ME4 4UB
T 01634 847 747
If unattended, please leave a message. We value
your call and will do our best to get back to you
as soon as possible.
Email: admin@fortamherst.com
Guide Book
To help you explore this
historically significant
site and make the most
of your visit, why not
purchase our family friendly
guide book?
Available from the
café, price £3.50.
Accessibility
We welcome visitors with disabilities. We regret that, due to its age, historical layout and the terrain, Fort Amherst is not accessible in all areas for all people.
Parking: accessible parking available at the visitor centre / café.
Toilets: accessible toilet is available at the visitor centre / café. Please note café closing times.
Tunnels: unfortunately, the tunnels are unsuitable for wheelchair users and those with impaired mobility.
Fort Amherst Grounds: please note there are steps, steep inclines and uneven ground in places. Call 01634 847 747 for further information.
Access to Fort Amherst: accessible by car via Barrack Hill off Dock Road Chatham. Also accessible by foot from Maxwell Road Brompton, from the Great Lines Heritage Park by the Naval Memorial, and from Barrier Road Chatham.
For Your Information
Please take care as historic sites can be dangerous.
Children should be accompanied at all times.
Dogs are allowed on leads.
Wilful damage to the monument is an offence.
Smoking, commercial photography and use of metal
detectors is prohibited.
Facilities
Fort Café / Visitor Centre
We welcome you to relax in our friendly, light and airy Pantry Café. Offering a selection of quality refreshments from tea, coffee and light snacks to hot meals and a children’s menu, we look forward to welcoming you soon.
Inside and outside seating, all year round. Guide dogs and therapy dogs welcome inside.
Toilets
Toilets, including an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities, are available in the café.
Please note café closing times.
Cave Yard Play Area
Currently closed for rebuild
Spur Battery Amphitheatre
We are delighted to have our new outdoor amphitheatre. The perfect facility for entertainment, education and fun. Please look out for upcoming events, or contact us to find out about booking information.
Phone: 01634 847 747
Email: admin@fortamherst.com
Nearby Kent Attractions
Kent is bursting with important buildings from Britain’s amazing history, as well as ample opportunities for fabulous family fun.
Why not make Fort Amherst part of a great family day out?
Families
Fort Amherst is a free-to-visit site. Bring the whole family to find out more and take pride in Medway’s amazing history.
With 20 acres of grounds to explore; a hill to climb in the fresh air; fortifications to navigate; cannons to spot; bridges to cross; a café and play area to enjoy; tunnel tours and special events throughout the year… Fort Amherst has something for everyone!
Guide Book
To make the most of your visit, why not purchase our family-friendly guidebook? Not only does this help support the work of Fort volunteers, it will take you on a comprehensive circular tour, explaining some of the features and details you encounter as you walk around.
Some of these are obvious… some are easy to miss!
Step into the shoes of those who lived and worked at the Fort; learn some interesting historical facts; and soak up the Fort Amherst atmosphere…
…and use it again when you return!
Available from the café, price £3.50
CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY TRAIL
THE MISSING BOOT! WITH DASH THE DOG!
(DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS)
In the early 1800s, an adventurous army dog called Dash lived at Fort Amherst. We can imagine that he was sometimes looked after by a soldier like Private Henry Hicks, who once served at the Fort. Kids will love helping Dash the Dog as they explore and learn in Fort Amherst’s unique grounds.
Missing Boot Trail (between Fort Café and Nelson’s head)
Napoleonic Soldiers must wear correct uniform, but Private Henry Hicks’ boot is missing again! Collect your mission brief, then follow the clues to help Dash the Dog sniff out the boot – before there’s trouble on parade.
Nature Trails
The Herb Garden (Cave Yard): herbs and spices have great value to humans. Use your sense of smell to guess what they might be used for.
Bug Corner (Picnic Area): visit a little wooden village of ‘bug-homes’ including ‘Bugingham Palace’ and ‘Creepy-Crawly-Castle’. Our youngest visitors will love discovering Fort Amherst’s smallest creatures at home.
Woodland Walk (between Fort Café and Nelson’s head): leave the beaten track and set up camp to build your own fort with natural materials. What can you see and hear around you?
WELCOME! • Bienvenue a Fort Amherst • Bienvenido a Fort Amherst • Willkommen zu a Fort Amherst • Witamy w Fort Amherst •