Upnor Castle House
Upnor, Rochester, Kent, ME2 4XE
Guide Price
£2,250,000
Residential Tags: N/A
Property Tags: Holiday Cottage, Moorings, Tennis Court, Walled Garden, Water Frontage
Land Tags: Building Plot
Summary Details
- First Marketed: Jul 2022
- Removed: Date Not Available
- Residential Tags: N/A
- Property Tags: Holiday Cottage, Moorings, Tennis Court, Walled Garden, Water Frontage
- Land Tags: Building Plot
Upnor Castle House is a classic English country house that has evolved over the centuries and is understood never to have been offered on the open market. The main house is believed to date from the mid 17th century and was enlarged and refronted in the 18th or early 19th century. A hidden gem about which remarkably little is know. The house stands on the edge of the village of Upnor, overlooking Upnor Castle and the River Medway. It is set in a beautiful mature garden.
The house was built to provide accommodation for the senior officer in charge of the Upnor Castle. The castle was built in 1559/67 and as the role it played in the defence of England grew so too did the status of Upnor Castle House. The earliest dwelling is believed to be the small two storey cottage on the north side of the courtyard. The main house was probably started in the mid-17th century. During the Civil War the Castle, and the buildings at Upnor Castle House, fell into the Parliamentary hands, regained by the Royalists in 1648 and taken back by the Parliamentarians following the battle of Maidstone by which point the buildings were in poor order.
Admiral Howard ordered the defences at Upnor to be improved and the work overseen by Sir John Leveson. This was at a time of heightened fear of invasion from the Spanish Netherlands and the sheltered waters of the Medway were strategically important. They provided good anchorage for the navy’s warships and Chatham had already become an important dockyard. It is thought likely that at this point the present Upnor Castle House started to be built. The exact date is unknown but a small leather and silk shoe found during restoration work has been dated to between 1660 and 1680. Hiding a shoe in a wall or loft space was an ancient custom to keep away evil spirits and bring good luck.
In 1667 the Castle saw action against the Dutch who, having captured Sheerness, sailed up the Medway to Upnor and sank or towed away a number of English warship at anchor at Chatham. John Evellyn described it as a dreadful site. Despite the efforts of those manning Upnor Castle and guns being brought in from Chatham, it went down in history as the worst naval defeat England had suffered and it was nearly 300 years before Upnor Castle House was to witness enemy action again. According to Samuel Pepys the officers and men were poorly provisioned and “played long against it, they themselves shot till they had hardly a gun left upon the carriages so badly provided they were”. After such a defeat it was recommended that new forts should be built further down the Medway and that Upnor take on the important role of supplying stores and in particular munitions to the navy’s warships. This was much more practical than supplying weapons from further up the River Thames at Woolwich and by 1691 it was England’s leading magazine store, holding considerably more than the Tower of London.
In 1807 a brief sent out by the Admiralty to improve and modernise England’s dockyards and defences. Edward Holl, architect to the Naval Board, was responsible for the designs for both the chapel at Chatham and the Admiral’s Office at Chatham both of which were built between 1808 and 1810. There is every reason to believe that Holl was also responsible for the improvements made at Upnor Castle at this time and the new garden front at Upnor Castle House. This not only gave the house the spacious principal bedrooms and reception rooms seen today but also the classic garden elevation, which includes a brick with the date 1808 carved in it.
Throughout the 19th century Upnor played a vital part and as weaponry became more sophisticated so too did the role of overseeing their safe keeping, which was ultimately down to the occupant of Upnor Castle House. The Castle came under the control of the Admiralty in 1891 later it was part of the Naval Armament Supply Department and then the Royal Naval Ammunitions Upnor and finally closed in 1961.
During the Second World War Upnor was to see action again, this time in June 1941 when two German bombs fell in gardens to Upnor Castle House. The house survived remarkably well but small pieces of shrapnel can still be found in the door frame and shutters of the guest bedroom. After the war the Castle was decommissioned and Upnor Castle House was handed over to the Royal Engineers. In the mid 1980’s the MOD decided to offer the house for sale to any senior officers who might be interested. It was purchased by the current owner’s family and has remained in their hands ever since.
Tall brick piers and high solid timber double gates with a separate pedestrian gate gives access to the gravel drive which sweeps round to the front entrance. The house is constructed of brick beneath a pitched slate roof which on the garden front has three flat-headed dormers set behind a brick parapet. This classic façade has a regular five window front, sash windows with fine glazing bars, a tripartite sash in the centre of the first floor and segmental-arch over the half-glazed front door, which is flanked by two narrow windows, and throw extra light into the staircase hall.
The spacious hall has shuttered windows and doors leading to each of the principal reception rooms, creating an elegant enfilade the entire width of the house, as well as views out across the garden towards the Castle. The drawing room has a horse-shoe backed brick fireplace with carved overmantle, shutters to the windows and a door to the study. The dining room has sash windows with shutters, a fireplace with a woodburning stove, a deep simple cornice and moulded ceiling timbers. A door leads to the kitchen/breakfast room which has an extensive range of cupboards and plenty of worksurfaces. There is an LPG double oven Rangemaster and 6 hobs, exposed ceiling timbers and a fireplace with wood burner.
A door from the kitchen leads to the rear hall where there is a secondary kitchen, cloakroom, steps down to the cellar, a door out to the courtyard, back stairs and at the far end the Study which lies in the older part of the house. It has part panelled walls, fitted book cases and cupboards, a brick fireplace with wood burner and a door to the garden. The kitchen also gives access to a utility room with quarry tiled floor, plumbing for a washing machine and dryer and stone glazed sink. Beyond this is a side entrance to the garden and an additional door out to the courtyard garden. A store room completes the accommodation on this floor.
The staircase from the entrance hall splits part way up to give access to the first floor bedrooms in the older part of the house and then on up to a magnificent landing overlooking the garden and Upnor Castle. The master bedroom has sash windows with period shutters, a built-in wardrobe and walk in closet, with hand basin, which connects with a dressing room/bedroom. The guest bedroom is just as well proportioned and has a wide planked floor, built-in cupboards and a small anti-room with steps down to a bathroom, which in turn leads to a further bedroom and bedroom corridor with a family bathroom and separate w.c.
Both the main staircase and the secondary stairs lead up to the second floor which to the front has two good size bedrooms off the main landing which also has two walk-in cupboards. In the older part of the house there is a suite of rooms which could potentially form an independent flat as it includes a bedroom, partly under the eaves, a bathroom and a further room which is currently used as a box room but could make a sitting room or further bedroom.
The Stables have recently been converted into a holiday cottage which is let through a specialist agency and has proven to be in great demand throughout most of the year. The accommodation includes a well fitted kitchen/dining room, a cloakroom, and a spacious sitting room. On the first floor there are two good size double bedrooms and a bathroom. To the rear is a store room for garden furniture. The stables has a cobbled courtyard garden to the front and its own private area of garden to the side.
The Cottage which is just across the courtyard from the main house has only been used for storage in recent years but, subject to planning and listed building consent, it could become a residential dwelling; gym; studio; games room or home office.
The Garden Room, also forms part of the courtyard group of buildings. Originally known as the Gun Room as it used to have fittings to hold rifles, it is now a wonderful room for entertaining and informal gathering, particularly as it is near the swimming pool.
The swimming pool is set in a partly walled garden adjacent to a further outbuilding with cloakroom and two store rooms. The garden surrounding the pool has been cleverly planted to make this area feel secluded and something of a sun trap.
Potential Building Plot. An architect has been briefed and preliminary discussions have been held with the planners to see whether it would be possible to obtain planning consent to build a separate dwelling on the northern corner of the land. These discussions are at an early stage and it will be left to the new owner to take these forward should they wish to explore the potential.
Garden and Grounds In all the house stands in approximately 4 acres of mature gardens which include a lawn tennis court and beyond this steps which lead down to a croquet lawn. There are formal rose beds to the front and various borders planted with shrubs and herbaceous plants which give interest and colour through the seasons. The wonderful mature trees are of particular note and amongst them is a mulberry tree that is said to have been planted by Elizabeth I on a visit to Upnor. In essence it is a quintessential country garden and like the house one that lends itself to entertaining on a grand scale, family gatherings or simply somewhere to escape and enjoy life with plenty of space for children to play.
LOCATION: Upnor is just 2.7 miles from central Rochester and 5.4 miles from the M2 connecting to the rest of the motorway network. There is a good train service from Strood and Rochester and Ebbsfleet International is just 12 miles. Strood to St Pancras takes about 35 minutes and London Bridge Station is about 69 minutes. There is also a direct service from Rochester in London Victoria. The area is well served by a number independent schools including Kings Rochester and Kings Canterbury, Tonbridge School, Sevenoaks School and Benenden School; Higham prep school and three good grammar schools including Rochester Grammar which has achieved particularly good results. There are local shops in Frindsbury and a far greater selection in Rochester which is also a local centre for the arts. There are several out of town supermarkets and Blue Water Shopping centre not too far away. The area offers a wide variety of leisure amenities and private sports clubs including Rochester and Cobham Park Golf Club, a David Lloyd Centre at Maidstone, Frindsbury Tennis Club a sailing club at Upnor and a marina and moorings on the Medway. Upnor Castle House is also on the Saxon Shore Way and to the east at Cliffe there is a sizeable nature reserve run by the RSPB.
Marketed by: Machin Lane, Rochester
The house was built to provide accommodation for the senior officer in charge of the Upnor Castle. The castle was built in 1559/67 and as the role it played in the defence of England grew so too did the status of Upnor Castle House. The earliest dwelling is believed to be the small two storey cottage on the north side of the courtyard. The main house was probably started in the mid-17th century. During the Civil War the Castle, and the buildings at Upnor Castle House, fell into the Parliamentary hands, regained by the Royalists in 1648 and taken back by the Parliamentarians following the battle of Maidstone by which point the buildings were in poor order.
Admiral Howard ordered the defences at Upnor to be improved and the work overseen by Sir John Leveson. This was at a time of heightened fear of invasion from the Spanish Netherlands and the sheltered waters of the Medway were strategically important. They provided good anchorage for the navy’s warships and Chatham had already become an important dockyard. It is thought likely that at this point the present Upnor Castle House started to be built. The exact date is unknown but a small leather and silk shoe found during restoration work has been dated to between 1660 and 1680. Hiding a shoe in a wall or loft space was an ancient custom to keep away evil spirits and bring good luck.
In 1667 the Castle saw action against the Dutch who, having captured Sheerness, sailed up the Medway to Upnor and sank or towed away a number of English warship at anchor at Chatham. John Evellyn described it as a dreadful site. Despite the efforts of those manning Upnor Castle and guns being brought in from Chatham, it went down in history as the worst naval defeat England had suffered and it was nearly 300 years before Upnor Castle House was to witness enemy action again. According to Samuel Pepys the officers and men were poorly provisioned and “played long against it, they themselves shot till they had hardly a gun left upon the carriages so badly provided they were”. After such a defeat it was recommended that new forts should be built further down the Medway and that Upnor take on the important role of supplying stores and in particular munitions to the navy’s warships. This was much more practical than supplying weapons from further up the River Thames at Woolwich and by 1691 it was England’s leading magazine store, holding considerably more than the Tower of London.
In 1807 a brief sent out by the Admiralty to improve and modernise England’s dockyards and defences. Edward Holl, architect to the Naval Board, was responsible for the designs for both the chapel at Chatham and the Admiral’s Office at Chatham both of which were built between 1808 and 1810. There is every reason to believe that Holl was also responsible for the improvements made at Upnor Castle at this time and the new garden front at Upnor Castle House. This not only gave the house the spacious principal bedrooms and reception rooms seen today but also the classic garden elevation, which includes a brick with the date 1808 carved in it.
Throughout the 19th century Upnor played a vital part and as weaponry became more sophisticated so too did the role of overseeing their safe keeping, which was ultimately down to the occupant of Upnor Castle House. The Castle came under the control of the Admiralty in 1891 later it was part of the Naval Armament Supply Department and then the Royal Naval Ammunitions Upnor and finally closed in 1961.
During the Second World War Upnor was to see action again, this time in June 1941 when two German bombs fell in gardens to Upnor Castle House. The house survived remarkably well but small pieces of shrapnel can still be found in the door frame and shutters of the guest bedroom. After the war the Castle was decommissioned and Upnor Castle House was handed over to the Royal Engineers. In the mid 1980’s the MOD decided to offer the house for sale to any senior officers who might be interested. It was purchased by the current owner’s family and has remained in their hands ever since.
Tall brick piers and high solid timber double gates with a separate pedestrian gate gives access to the gravel drive which sweeps round to the front entrance. The house is constructed of brick beneath a pitched slate roof which on the garden front has three flat-headed dormers set behind a brick parapet. This classic façade has a regular five window front, sash windows with fine glazing bars, a tripartite sash in the centre of the first floor and segmental-arch over the half-glazed front door, which is flanked by two narrow windows, and throw extra light into the staircase hall.
The spacious hall has shuttered windows and doors leading to each of the principal reception rooms, creating an elegant enfilade the entire width of the house, as well as views out across the garden towards the Castle. The drawing room has a horse-shoe backed brick fireplace with carved overmantle, shutters to the windows and a door to the study. The dining room has sash windows with shutters, a fireplace with a woodburning stove, a deep simple cornice and moulded ceiling timbers. A door leads to the kitchen/breakfast room which has an extensive range of cupboards and plenty of worksurfaces. There is an LPG double oven Rangemaster and 6 hobs, exposed ceiling timbers and a fireplace with wood burner.
A door from the kitchen leads to the rear hall where there is a secondary kitchen, cloakroom, steps down to the cellar, a door out to the courtyard, back stairs and at the far end the Study which lies in the older part of the house. It has part panelled walls, fitted book cases and cupboards, a brick fireplace with wood burner and a door to the garden. The kitchen also gives access to a utility room with quarry tiled floor, plumbing for a washing machine and dryer and stone glazed sink. Beyond this is a side entrance to the garden and an additional door out to the courtyard garden. A store room completes the accommodation on this floor.
The staircase from the entrance hall splits part way up to give access to the first floor bedrooms in the older part of the house and then on up to a magnificent landing overlooking the garden and Upnor Castle. The master bedroom has sash windows with period shutters, a built-in wardrobe and walk in closet, with hand basin, which connects with a dressing room/bedroom. The guest bedroom is just as well proportioned and has a wide planked floor, built-in cupboards and a small anti-room with steps down to a bathroom, which in turn leads to a further bedroom and bedroom corridor with a family bathroom and separate w.c.
Both the main staircase and the secondary stairs lead up to the second floor which to the front has two good size bedrooms off the main landing which also has two walk-in cupboards. In the older part of the house there is a suite of rooms which could potentially form an independent flat as it includes a bedroom, partly under the eaves, a bathroom and a further room which is currently used as a box room but could make a sitting room or further bedroom.
The Stables have recently been converted into a holiday cottage which is let through a specialist agency and has proven to be in great demand throughout most of the year. The accommodation includes a well fitted kitchen/dining room, a cloakroom, and a spacious sitting room. On the first floor there are two good size double bedrooms and a bathroom. To the rear is a store room for garden furniture. The stables has a cobbled courtyard garden to the front and its own private area of garden to the side.
The Cottage which is just across the courtyard from the main house has only been used for storage in recent years but, subject to planning and listed building consent, it could become a residential dwelling; gym; studio; games room or home office.
The Garden Room, also forms part of the courtyard group of buildings. Originally known as the Gun Room as it used to have fittings to hold rifles, it is now a wonderful room for entertaining and informal gathering, particularly as it is near the swimming pool.
The swimming pool is set in a partly walled garden adjacent to a further outbuilding with cloakroom and two store rooms. The garden surrounding the pool has been cleverly planted to make this area feel secluded and something of a sun trap.
Potential Building Plot. An architect has been briefed and preliminary discussions have been held with the planners to see whether it would be possible to obtain planning consent to build a separate dwelling on the northern corner of the land. These discussions are at an early stage and it will be left to the new owner to take these forward should they wish to explore the potential.
Garden and Grounds In all the house stands in approximately 4 acres of mature gardens which include a lawn tennis court and beyond this steps which lead down to a croquet lawn. There are formal rose beds to the front and various borders planted with shrubs and herbaceous plants which give interest and colour through the seasons. The wonderful mature trees are of particular note and amongst them is a mulberry tree that is said to have been planted by Elizabeth I on a visit to Upnor. In essence it is a quintessential country garden and like the house one that lends itself to entertaining on a grand scale, family gatherings or simply somewhere to escape and enjoy life with plenty of space for children to play.
LOCATION: Upnor is just 2.7 miles from central Rochester and 5.4 miles from the M2 connecting to the rest of the motorway network. There is a good train service from Strood and Rochester and Ebbsfleet International is just 12 miles. Strood to St Pancras takes about 35 minutes and London Bridge Station is about 69 minutes. There is also a direct service from Rochester in London Victoria. The area is well served by a number independent schools including Kings Rochester and Kings Canterbury, Tonbridge School, Sevenoaks School and Benenden School; Higham prep school and three good grammar schools including Rochester Grammar which has achieved particularly good results. There are local shops in Frindsbury and a far greater selection in Rochester which is also a local centre for the arts. There are several out of town supermarkets and Blue Water Shopping centre not too far away. The area offers a wide variety of leisure amenities and private sports clubs including Rochester and Cobham Park Golf Club, a David Lloyd Centre at Maidstone, Frindsbury Tennis Club a sailing club at Upnor and a marina and moorings on the Medway. Upnor Castle House is also on the Saxon Shore Way and to the east at Cliffe there is a sizeable nature reserve run by the RSPB.
Marketed by: Machin Lane, Rochester
Land Registry Data
- No historical data found.