Chatham's Abandoned 18th Century Defence Lines. Kent.

#Hidden #Fortifications #Abandoned
This week we take a look for some of the hidden remains of the Great Lines near Chatham, an abandoned 18th century Fortification complex which stretches right along the whole town, built to help protect the Royal Naval Docks of Chatham.
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All the best Em and Stu 😊

[@robertgiles1878]

I didn’t know about this tunnel system, however my father served on the Grain Fort and have been there many times. What you may not know is that there is still a fort buried on the Isle Of Grain. My father served on it/in it and later saw earth bulldozed to fill it all in. There are stores, accommodation, ammo bunkers and a cookhouse all still intact but buried. I’d love to be involved in seeing that place unearthed and turn into a museum.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Hi we are very grateful that you enjoyed our video and also the history of your family. We have been down the buried Grain fort, the tunnels down to the magazines are still there, we have a video on it. 😊

[@raymondgill9796]

Very interesting. A sally port is a protected doorway on a fortification from which those inside could sally forth and attack those outside. Really interesting video thanks for posting.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Thank you very very much Raymond we always appreciate your input and really pleased you liked the video 🙂

[@johnnythefox132]

Fantastic video, it looks very similar in design to Fort Horsted but that was built in 1880s. Fort Horsted was used during WWII and soldiers were taken there before being sent to the Somme and other places during WWI but apart from that it was never used militarily.

[@gavinparson]

I used to play there most weekends in the 70s. I was in the Garrison Scout troupe based in the Garrison Hall that's now been turned into a house opposite the church

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Must have been a great place to play and explore back then.. Its a fantastic place with history all over the town.. Thanks for watching and commenting 😊

[@stephenforrest464]

I used to play in the "cats eyes" 40 years ago when the whole area was still open, plenty of tunnels and rooms off the section behind what was Bromptons old Naffi.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Yes this part of the town really is riddled with interesting things to find.. we really can't wait to get back down there when we get the chance.. 😊👍

[@bennyfactor1]

When me and my mates in our shorts and jumpers explored these every weekend during the 50s and early 60s across the Medway Towns; never thought I would be watching them being explored by adults 50 years later. Our 'local' was the long gone Guard House on the Rochester Maidstone Road alongside the Alms House. Then up the ditch exploring the tunnels under Fort Clarence and back into the ditch down to the river. Although the biggest and best was Fort Amherst. You could lose yourself in there.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

The amount of defensive structures built around this area was really quite incredible, I'd imagine it must have been an amazing place to have explored back in the day before alot of it got demolished or redeveloped.. We'd love to return in the future to see what else we can find 😀

[@jeffbelcher5877]

Great to Watch history about my Birth Town been in Devon since the 80's when the Dockyard Closed

[@jeffbelcher5877]

HMS WILDFIRE a Royal Naval Reserve Shore Base is located underground near HMS PEMBROKE

[@KingKierzini]

Wicked video. I’m 24 and back when I was 15/16 me and my mates used to go through here to get to skateboard in the abandoned reservoirs further past the Cats Eyes. We always looked at it like a crack den, never knew the actual purpose for it!

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Loads of hidden history around this area.. not been to the reservoir yet but am aware of it.. not always the cleanest of places to explore like you say lol.. 😆

[@Incognito-kt5od]

This was literally me and my mates’ little hangout spot back in college lol

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

It's a really interesting little hidden and faily forgotten part of the impressive Great Lines of Chatham. Shame its not looked after and open safely to the public like some of the Lines are as it has an interesting history.. Thanks for watching 👍

[@smeejaytee]

Myself and my mates used to explore these often as a teenager in the 90s many of the old tunnels have been filled in but they went in all directions from the great lines between Chatham and Gillingham

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Chatham is fascinating and riddled with underground history as I'm sure you know.. would love to explore some more when we get a chance.. thanks for watching 👍😊

[@smeejaytee]

@@ExploringWithEmAndStu I live in Gillingham close to a church that was built in 1060 and replaced a wooden Saxon church I would love to know more about the surroundings but there isn't much information other than it was a small fishing village but there are said to be tunnels around the church down to the Medway and across the Gillingham green to a cell that was under the olde five bells that was across the way that was sadly turned into flats because of licensing issues and a fire, but I'd love to know more, there's probably some great stories but I've never been able to find much other than will Adams was born in the parish and grew up in the village

[@jayg8664]

Used to hang out there with my mates in the late 70's. The concrete barrel object sticking out the ground was a small 'fox-hole' that you was able to crawl down and get into the tunnels that linked different parts of the fort.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

That's fascinating, we'd have loved to have had more time to explore the area in more depth.. We'll definitely be back one day to find more! 😀

[@RichardAKJ]

Really enjoyed the video. What a great place to explore and so much to see.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Thank you very much...keep an eye on patreon there's a few videos coming out in the next week or so 🙂

[@Benslife96]

Interesting and lots of information as always :) enjoyed it!

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Thanks Ben, we appreciate you watching 👍😊

[@solgoodmann]

You missed the best part, the reservoir! It's right next to to that

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Yes we are aware of the reservoir as well as a few other bits around the area but with limited time it had to wait for another trip down there.. hopefully at some point later this year.. 😀

[@AliceGoss]

What a great explore. Like the new style. These old war defenses are really exciting and it's a shamecthatvthey are left to decay.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

We are trying things new mix it up abit hope you are well and getting ready for your next adventure 😀

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Thank you we are trying new things as we are going along hope you are well 😀

[@stephenadams3237]

excelent as always

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Thank you 😊

[@Seansaighdeoir]

Very interesting video thanks for sharing. The whole of Medway was setup in a configuration of inner and outer defences called the lines - these were inner lines and outer lines. The outer lines saw the building or a ring of forts around the towns and there is evidence of a network of tunnels that run from the outer line Forts of Pitt, Clarence and Amherst. The remaining forts Borstal, Horsted, Bridgewood, Luton were outer forts built by prisoners during the Napoleonic wars and offered the initial protection and engagement with forces imagined to attack from the south. The inner lines which is where I'm guessing you were filming were affectively ringed around the Dockyard in Chatham and Gillingham as the Gillingham lines confirm. They offered an open target to forces advancing from the south east. As kids we managed to explore in detail Bridgewoods, Borstal and did get in at Horsted but it was not so accessible. There also used to be a railway line linking the outer forts delivering supplies and munitions. The fort at Borstal also had links to the river and convicts would be made to haul up supplies via pulley up to the fort. Bridgewoods which is sadly no longer there (although it exists below) has a most interesting history as it was a WW1 training site for Royal Engineers the south western escarpment was used to test mining explosives. It also intercepted the first codes to be decrypted by Enigma at Bletchley. Its a criminal waste the MOD have allowed so much rich history to be forgotten and neglected but I agree its wonderful to explore these places and what they offer up.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

This whole area is amazing with the amount of history and work that went into constructing all the separate fortifications and the lines connecting them.. and to think that we often come across people living in the area that have no clue about the history they are living amoungst.. We'd love to explore more and try to share more of its history but sadly live quite far away.. Thanks for watching and taking the time to write your comments.. always very much appreciated 😊👍

[@dweatherley]

Great video as always :)

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Thanks Dan, appreciate you watching and glad you liked it 👍

[@keithallen4313]

Very good video

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Thank you very much 😊

[@minicrow1]

Great videos just discovered your channel. Essex and Kent are my counties and history my thing. So these are great. Have you been to Felixstowe suffolk, landguard fort and opposite forts in Harwich Essex used in ww2.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Hi there and thank you so much for Subscribing really appreciate it... yes been there plenty of times but not done a video yet... beacon hill is our favourite place if you haven't been yet 🙂

[@TheHistoryHikers]

Very impressive fort hidden in the foliage!

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

There's alot more there....we will go back to do more..thank you for watching 🙂

[@TheHistoryHikers]

@@ExploringWithEmAndStu looking forward to it!

[@briancobbold5021]

I live between the Great and lower lines green areas. Along with the dragons teeth and array of old ruins, the forts, etc. I'll have to have a look for that sally port and gun ports. 😊

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

So much hidden around this area, wish we didn't live so far away as we'd be in our element! Just follow the old Lines you'll be sure to find something 👍

[@gardian1701]

You guys need to get down to Dover! There's fox holes that lead to tunnels 50ft down into the cliffs to multi room areas, sunken castle Devitt fort or something it's called! There's one open to the public occasionally but there is a second well known to urbexers and it's massive inside! Some places you need to crawl through. 👌

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

We'd absolutely love to and already have a map of places we'd like to explore when we can eventually get down that way.. As one of us lives up in Norfolk it would take a bit of planning and organising but as soon as we can we definitely will! 😀👍

[@anthonymarshall9862]

Heya😅 just letting ya know you guys are amazing, me and my mates are major explorers aswell we have been up and down the country, but we are also the guys who make the entrances to the places for you other explorers, we was the ones who dug the whole under the concrete block to see if there was a tunnel, turns out there wasn't, we are going back soon to fill it in and put it back to normal so it looks undamaged as the last thing we would want to do is destroy amazing places like Chatham Sally ports, but we also see these places as opportunities to see how these people and soldiers use to live which is why was wanted to see if there was a tunnel, I hope you understand and that we don't mean to cause any damage and are going back to fix it

[@ClippedPal]

Where is it I really want to go

[@aidantarbun2018]

Good video

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Thank you very much 😊

[@jerry18291]

I was born and raised in Chatham, I've since moved on, so this very much intreges me. Where abouts is this place at what area of the city is this

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

It's part of the Lines that ran from Fort Amherst and all the way up to Chatham docklands. You can still make most of it out on Google maps if you look carefully and alot can be followed and walked.. its fascinating how much still remains, this is just one small bit. Thanks for watching 👍

[@amberplays1232]

Hi, I really enjoyed this video, can you please tell me where this is?

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Glad you enjoyed the video.. This is just a small part of the Brompton Lines of Chatham.. Maps of the entire fortifications are easy to find if you Google The Brompton Lines, following them you will find many remaining abandoned structures from it including this Sally Port, dry ditches and lots of interesting hidden bits, although be aware not all of it is publicly accessible so some discretion is needed.. Definitely worth taking an explore around the area and with a little bit of research you will easily find them all.. 😉

[@BusterKeaton48]

Is this in the UK? I live in a town in Canada named Chatham in the township (county) of kent. It gets really weird looking up locations sometimes because all cities and towns around me were named after major locations in the UK ex...london, , dresden, the theams river.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Hi ya yes this is in the UK 🇬🇧 in a place called Kent 🙂

[@BuffleStudios.]

The place eyour explored looks incredibly similar to a Place near another Abandoned place, were you near Fort Amherst?

[@BuffleStudios.]

I've never heard of the Chatham lien, but I have heard of The Great Lines which is in Gillingham, which is home to many abandoned structures

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Yes know known as the Great Lines, technically in Gillingham although originally the Brompton Lines.. We referred to it as Chatham as it protected the Docklands there is a more well known Town to people who don't live in the area.. lots more to see around the area when we next get a chance.. 😀

[@simonward4072]

Only just scratching the surface guys. Theres so much more in the local area if you know where to look.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Yer we know but we can't see everything yet we travelled there to make other videos...we will return but if you are familiar with our channel you will know why we can't....thank you for watching really appreciate it 😀

[@markbaines225]

How can I find it and get there ?

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Hi Mark, there's lots of maps online showing the original plan of the Lines, not overly difficult to find if you follow them although as is often the case its not all open to the public and so some discretion is needed..

[@Katmando376]

I lived in Chatham a long time ago but don't recognise this area?

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Its along the old Brompton Lines from Fort Amherst to Chatham Docks.. there's a fair bit still remaining along there if u have a dig about 😊

[@sueb7065]

Another interesting video. Shame about people who spray graffiti on the walls though.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

We learn to ignore that mindless stuff these days and just appreciate what history it has and enjoy the places we visit 😀

[@ryustreetfighter8722]

That big concrete thing I the doorway is to deflect bombs blasts going into te structure and to stop tanks.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Quite possibly, we often see things like this but this particular fortification was apparently decommissioned before ww1 so not exactly sure if that's what this one was used for..

[@ryustreetfighter8722]

@@ExploringWithEmAndStu here in England I'm sure your aware we are lied too alot about what's decommissioned any what isnt. So much secret sly devious things happen in this country I wouldn't be surprised if it was used by some fraction of MoD. Great videos, keep them coming.

[@lindsaybeadle2559]

So where is this place would have been nice to say at the start or I might have missed it

[@ciganito111]

Nice and all but its all fenced, probably not even legaly alowed onnsite or neither be able to spend a night of camping so showing locations where others can't go is very lame. Altough video footage is amazing.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

This site was at the time really quite easy to access like most places if you know where to look, it's certainly not illegal to be there althought of course they'd rather you weren't, and with it being covered in rubbish and undesirables, including probably a fair few rats no doubt, not to mention it's obviously a little bit dangerous inside I'm not sure anyone would want to camp around the area.. With all that being said we have quite a few followers who, for whatever reason are unable to visit these places themselves that appreciate the fact that we are able take them for a look and share it's history through our videos, and so feel it's not lame to continue to do so.. We do appreciate that you watched and enjoyed the footage anyway 😊👍

[@ryustreetfighter8722]

Im sure iv been at a rave around 2007 ish there

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

That wouldn't surprise me.. we hear its seen a few raves in its time lol

[@ryustreetfighter8722]

@@ExploringWithEmAndStuin the forest of Norfolk there are so many strange and wierd buildings worth investing. Once I was at a fave and nearby there was a really old set of cabins with very serial killer vibe buildings and stuff near by. Very odd, very weird. Not far from thetford.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

@@ryustreetfighter8722 we'll have to look into it 🙂👍

[@sophiejongman7811]

Chatham is great. Those firing slits are aka dead ends. That’s what they were. Garrisons lead to their deaths

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

We love Chatham and have visited several times in the last year or two.. So much history to be found, I'm sure we'll find ourselves down there many more times in the future.. Thanks for watching 👍😊

[@markcolyer1989]

Sorry watched on silent as too many ems ers in your talking but nice filming.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

You're right.. its not one of our better video, we didn't know we were going to be exploring here until just the night before so not enough planning and research was done. It's rare we get the opportunity to explore places like this nowadays living over 3 hours away but thought we'd give it a go being such an amazing place.. If we ever get another chance in the future we'd love to return to make a more organised video. We appreciate you watching anyway 😊👍

[@kerryharrison7448]

Chatham, vintage and gate have a "t"

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

I'm assuming you're referring to the fact that our accents don't depicted the Queens/Kings perfect English pronunciations.. Strangely enough our accents have never actually bothered anyone before, or maybe they just never felt the need to point out to us that we don't speak properly.. 🤔

[@saxoncrow2500]

So does twat. It has 2 t's in it. As in what a twat comment.