Tilbury Fort
Tilbury Fort Tilbury Fort Tilbury Fort Tilbury Fort Tilbury Fort Tilbury Fort Tilbury Fort Tilbury Fort Tilbury Fort Tilbury Fort

Tilbury Fort was constructed in the late 17th century, and replaced a smaller blockhouse built during the reign of Henry VIII. Artillery was now the dominant weapon and the fort was designed to withstand an artillery bombardment, built low lying with earth embankments fronted by brick. The heaviest guns were mounted along the river bank to protect the Thames from hostile shipping. The landward side was defended by a double line of moats that kept enemy guns at a distance, and brick revetted bastions at the corners of the fort that allowed its own guns to provide complete covering fire in front of the walls. This style of fortification, known as the bastion system, was popular in Europe at the time, and Tilbury remains the best preserved example in Britain.

The fort remained garrisoned into the 1920's, but its defences were never put to the test. Its sole military success came when its anti-aircraft guns shot down a German Zeppelin during the First World War.

Location:
Located ½ mile E of Tilbury off A126. Close to the Port of Tilbury
Address:
Tilbury Fort, Tilbury, Essex, RM18 7NR
Access:
English Heritage. Open to the public. Admission Fee
Website:
For further information visit www.english-heritage.org.uk

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