Fort Horsted, scheduled ancient monument
The ward councillors were able to extend an invitation on behalf of the owners of Fort Horsted Scheduled Ancient Monument, Primrose Close to new residents on the Horsted Park development to visit the Fort on Saturday.
Fort Horsted was built in the 1880’s as part of a ring of five forts to protect Chatham Dockyard‘s eastern flank and is uniquely of those five, still intact. The Fort is currently used as a business centre and is not open to the general public except by special arrangement.
Following a short presentation on the varied history of the Fort from Paul Coutts-Smith, the Fort’s Business Development Manager we had the opportunity to explore some of the casements, ramparts and tunnels of this wonderful old Fort. Graffiti from its time as a garrison during both World wars can still be seen and the tour party were even greeted by a family of kestrels that have successfully bred on the site.
The Fort enclosed by its 30 foot deep moat covers surprisingly some 13 acres in total and is very much a hidden gem in the ward. There are fabulous views across The Horsted Valley and Medway out into the estuary and we could even see Southend from the highest rampart.