Slough Fort

About the museum

Slough Fort is a Victorian artillery fort on the Thames Estuary near Allhallows in Kent. It was built in 1867 as part of the defences protecting the river and the Chatham dockyard, at a time when the rise of French ironclad warships made this stretch of the Thames look vulnerable.

Today it is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Restoration is carried out by the Slough Fort Preservation Trust, a registered charity staffed by volunteers, which aims to develop the fort as a community asset and visitor attraction.

The work depends on grants, donations and the help of supporters, who provide materials and specialist labour. Recent projects have included timber repairs to a casemate and work on water problems in the East Magazine, and crushed granite paths have been laid to make parts of the site easier to reach. A building dating from 1902 is now used for education and talks. Visitors see the fort on guided tours that explain its working years and the continuing restoration.

Highlights

• Mid-19th-century artillery fort overlooking the Thames Estuary
• Guided tours covering the fort's history and restoration
• Casemates and a magazine reached on the tour
• Free access to the grounds on set mornings
• Education building of 1902 with a large screen showing the tour

Founded

1867

Operated by

Slough Fort Preservation Trust

Admission & discounts

Guided tour £5 for adults and £3 for school children, booked online. Entry to the grounds only is free on the days listed in the opening hours, but the fort itself can only be seen on a tour. Evening events such as ghost story nights are ticketed separately.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Some areas have steps and uneven surfaces and are not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. Crushed granite paths help buggies and powered scooters, and during tours the magazine can be reached by an external stair lift if the guide is asked. Visitors who cannot climb the spiral stairs or enter the magazine can follow the tour on a large screen in the 1902 education building.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children aged 5 to 11 can collect a badge for the Wheels of Time scheme, and a downloadable e-badge activity sheet is available. School visits are welcomed. Some areas are not pushchair friendly.

Getting there & parking

Drivers take The Brimp, a track to the left of the Haven holiday park entrance after the last house on the left, and must not enter the holiday park. Use the postcode ME3 9QF in a sat nav, because ME3 9QD is the Haven postcode. Pedestrians use the gate just up from the Haven supermarket. The what3words address is paler.formless.payout.

Amenities & dining

Picnic tables around the site. The cafe and kitchen are hired out for private events. Alcohol is not permitted.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The fort can be booked for private events such as ceremonies, family gatherings and scout or cub activities, and the cafe and kitchen can be hired; enquiries go to the trust by email.

Plan your visit