Guided Tours
Our Volunteer Guides
Guided tours are conducted by a group of volunteers and give an in-depth insight for you to learn about the history, how the fort was used and why it was built at this site. It will take you on a safe and informative tour of the building and of normally out of bounds areas to the general public, including The Magazines (know by most children as dungeons), the Roof area where you will see some magnificent views over the river and Casemate areas.
Each tour last approximately 45 to 60 minutes (please see additional information below).
The cost of the tour is within the entry price to the Fort.
Please note: Tours are offered subject to availability and the time will depend on weather conditions, especially on the roof. Groups are limited to a maximum of 25 people due to small spaces and are conducted on a first come first served basis. We urgently need more volunteers to act as guides so if you would like to join us, please speak to a member of staff during your visit.
Each tour last approximately 45 to 60 minutes (please see additional information below).
The cost of the tour is within the entry price to the Fort.
Please note: Tours are offered subject to availability and the time will depend on weather conditions, especially on the roof. Groups are limited to a maximum of 25 people due to small spaces and are conducted on a first come first served basis. We urgently need more volunteers to act as guides so if you would like to join us, please speak to a member of staff during your visit.
FORT Military COLLECTION
Within the Collection you will find many pictures and artefacts relating to Coalhouse Fort and general military equipment, interpreting the Fort from its early usage right up to the present day. The Collection also includes our display dedicated to the Royal Navy. A large number of the relics and artifacts within the collection are privately owned.
Ken, our collection curator, will be on hand to answer any questions you may have on the everyday life at the fort.
Click here to download the Coalhouse Fort Brochure
Ken, our collection curator, will be on hand to answer any questions you may have on the everyday life at the fort.
Click here to download the Coalhouse Fort Brochure
Thameside AViation COLLECTION
The Aviation Collection
The Thameside Aviation Collection has been housed at Coalhouse Fort since 1984 but started life many years earlier in 1974 under the name of The Essex Historical Aircraft Society with our first excavation being carried out in August 11th of that year, on Hawker Hurricane P3518 of 257 (Burma) Squadron,
We have carried out over forty excavations since 1974 and details of all the history and activities of the Society and the Collection can be found through the here.*
*This is an external link and the Coalhouse Fort Project take no responsibility for its contents. All of the relics and artifacts within the collection are privately owned.
We have carried out over forty excavations since 1974 and details of all the history and activities of the Society and the Collection can be found through the here.*
*This is an external link and the Coalhouse Fort Project take no responsibility for its contents. All of the relics and artifacts within the collection are privately owned.
The Remembrance Garden
It was with great pride that on Sunday 30th November, the last public open day of the 2008 season, the annual Remembrance Day ceremony was held at Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury in the presence of Lord Petrel, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Angela Smith MP and the Deputy Mayor of Thurrock.
Also in attendance was representatives of the British Legion, The Ghurkhas, Territorial Army and a number of local ATC cadets.
Tributes were laid and the service conducted by the local Methodist minister. The Memorial Garden has as its centrepiece a third scale replica of the original obelisk that was erected by the soldiers and stood outside the fort was blown up on War Dept. orders for not having permission to have it erected. Two of the original stones stand beside the garden.
As well as the obelisk is a statue dedicated to the WWII Arnhem operation, together with panels to both the RAF and Royal and Merchant Navy. This year was more poignant in that it is the 90th Anniversary of the end of World War I and the formation of the Royal Air Force out of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. It is also the 100th Anniversary of the formation of Territorial Army. This year also marked the 25th Anniversary of the Coalhouse Fort Project taking over the preservation and restoration of this very important Victorian Fort that has been at the forefront of defences for the eastern Thames and the gateway to London.
Ken Levy, Chairman
Also in attendance was representatives of the British Legion, The Ghurkhas, Territorial Army and a number of local ATC cadets.
Tributes were laid and the service conducted by the local Methodist minister. The Memorial Garden has as its centrepiece a third scale replica of the original obelisk that was erected by the soldiers and stood outside the fort was blown up on War Dept. orders for not having permission to have it erected. Two of the original stones stand beside the garden.
As well as the obelisk is a statue dedicated to the WWII Arnhem operation, together with panels to both the RAF and Royal and Merchant Navy. This year was more poignant in that it is the 90th Anniversary of the end of World War I and the formation of the Royal Air Force out of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. It is also the 100th Anniversary of the formation of Territorial Army. This year also marked the 25th Anniversary of the Coalhouse Fort Project taking over the preservation and restoration of this very important Victorian Fort that has been at the forefront of defences for the eastern Thames and the gateway to London.
Ken Levy, Chairman
Gurkha laying a wreath at the memorial
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Memorial wreaths in front of the memorial
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The Café
The Tearoom is open 11am to 4:30pm on all our event and open days serving Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Cold Drinks, Snacks and Sweets.
Guide dogs are welcome but we ask that dogs are kept outside where a water bowl and some shade is provided.
Guide dogs are welcome but we ask that dogs are kept outside where a water bowl and some shade is provided.
The Shop
Recently refurbished, the shop is located in the Guard Room at the entrance. We sell Fort memorabilia such as keyrings, bookmarks and stationary as well as militaria such as bullets, replica packs, books and camouflage attire. Feel free to browse and purchase from our fine selection, we try to cater for everyone; children (boys and girls), adults and those interested more deeply in military related items. Picture coming soon.
The Surrounding Parkland
Views of the Parkland
The Fort is set within parkland, which is owned and maintained by Thurrock Council under the management of an onsite Ranger. Ample free parking is provided and the whole area maintained to a very high level.
Wide open spaces abound, picnic benches, a children's adventure play area, riverside walks and nature conservation areas. Full details of what can be seen and explored are available within the Tourist Information kiosk, which is adjacent to the WC facilities just outside the main entrance to the Fort. Visitors are able to walk around the entire perimeter of the Fort and get some good views of the walls and Gun emplacements on the roof. Within the Fort grounds you will find, still standing, Pill boxes and the remains of the Rapid Fire Battery.
A short walk down towards the river edge, you will see the old radar tower, which was designed to resemble a water tower in an effort to disguise it's real function. Although still standing, the radar tower is now falling into a quite bad state of repair and we would advise caution when approaching and would strongly advise against any attempt to enter the structure. Time and tide have slowly eroded it and it must be deemed very unsafe now. You will also find remnants of old railway sleepers, these survive from the time when supplies and armaments were brought to the fort by small ships and barges. Whilst the old jetty has been long gone it is still possible to work out from the sleepers where it once stood.
Wide open spaces abound, picnic benches, a children's adventure play area, riverside walks and nature conservation areas. Full details of what can be seen and explored are available within the Tourist Information kiosk, which is adjacent to the WC facilities just outside the main entrance to the Fort. Visitors are able to walk around the entire perimeter of the Fort and get some good views of the walls and Gun emplacements on the roof. Within the Fort grounds you will find, still standing, Pill boxes and the remains of the Rapid Fire Battery.
A short walk down towards the river edge, you will see the old radar tower, which was designed to resemble a water tower in an effort to disguise it's real function. Although still standing, the radar tower is now falling into a quite bad state of repair and we would advise caution when approaching and would strongly advise against any attempt to enter the structure. Time and tide have slowly eroded it and it must be deemed very unsafe now. You will also find remnants of old railway sleepers, these survive from the time when supplies and armaments were brought to the fort by small ships and barges. Whilst the old jetty has been long gone it is still possible to work out from the sleepers where it once stood.
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