I feel a bit of a fraud posting this, as this was really in the category of "epic fail", but I can't resist posting the photos of at least two interesting external features. The presence of a rather large gravel boat tied up by the fort, and a security guy who just came out and asked us if we were a "couple of those urban explorer people" meant that it was pretty clear from the off that we weren't getting in. However, it was also clear that some people had got in, as a small contingent of foreigners who looked distinctly as if they had been shooting a porno movie, were exiting as we arrived (!) Anyhoo, we weren't too disappointed, as we had already had a wizzer time at Chattenden and Shornemead, and frankly we didn't know about the foot pummelling hike we were about to make back to the car.
Cliffe was a Naploeonic era fort, built to defend the Thames from the French. Shornmead and Cliffe were on the south side of the river, and just opposite were Coalhouse and Tilbury in darkest Essex.
Some views of the walls
Inside, the casemates
An inside rooms, which was extremely flooded
Interesting external feature No1: This building is part of a WW2 AA battery that was built on top of the fort. I love the fact that it is really incongruous and out of keeping with the rest of it.
Interesting External Feature No. 2 - The Brennan Torpedo Launch Bay
The Brennan torpedo was the earliest example of a guided weapon system. It was a wire guided missile designed to sink boats.
A bit of a fail then, but we have vowed to go back. Now, where are my wellies......?
Godzy
Cliffe was a Naploeonic era fort, built to defend the Thames from the French. Shornmead and Cliffe were on the south side of the river, and just opposite were Coalhouse and Tilbury in darkest Essex.
Some views of the walls
Inside, the casemates
An inside rooms, which was extremely flooded
Interesting external feature No1: This building is part of a WW2 AA battery that was built on top of the fort. I love the fact that it is really incongruous and out of keeping with the rest of it.
Interesting External Feature No. 2 - The Brennan Torpedo Launch Bay
The Brennan torpedo was the earliest example of a guided weapon system. It was a wire guided missile designed to sink boats.
A bit of a fail then, but we have vowed to go back. Now, where are my wellies......?
Godzy
