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Places to visit in Essex

Tilbury Fort

• Tilbury Fort,
• 1/2 mile E of Tilbury off A126,
• Tilbury,
• Essex.
• Postcode: RM18 7NR
• Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk

Artillery Fort built in 1672-83 on the site of a 16th century fort established by Henry VIII. The fort commands a view over the Thames and surrounding countryside. It was near here that Elizabeth I gave her famous rallying speech to the army gathered to fight the threatened Spanish Armada. The current fort was designed during the time of Charles II by Sir Bernard de Gomme, a military engineer. The original plan was a pentagon but one of the bastions was not finished. There are moats which surround the whole complex. The fort was updated several times as new artillery technology was introduced, and large magazines added. The gate house is in the style of a triumphant arch.

Tilbury Fort (interior)
©John Winfield
Photograph by kind permission of John Winfield,
contributor to the Geograph Project

There are several exhibitions and visual displays. Opening times are available on the English Heritage website.

Daniel Defoe's description of Tilbury Fort in 1722 appears here on History House.

Tilbury Fort - entrance gate
©John Winfield
Photograph by kind permission of John Winfield,
contributor to the Geograph Project