Videos - Cliffe History

You will find a collection of videos showing different aspects of Cliffe and the surrounding area.  Most are by third parties and are readily available on YouTube and other video sights.

Please note that Cliffe Fort is on private property and can be extremely dangerous to explore. We urge people not to enter the site. Far safer to view the video clips that we have collected.

Built in the 1860's, Cliffe Fort is one of the three Thames Side Forts that were designed to defend that Thames Estuary. It was also built to work in conjunction with Coalhouse Fort in Essex to prevent a hostile fleet reaching London via the Thames. Construction of the fort was difficult due to the marshy ground that the fort is built on; cracking and subsidence caused many problems for the men working on the fort. More surprisingly, this marshy ground was also home to malaria mosquitoes, which made life even more difficult for the construction workers.

The fort was designed solely to cater for the armament of the day and the guns that were installed on Cliffe Fort were 12.5" and 11" RML's, weighing around 35 tons. Protection of these guns was provided by granite faced casemates with shields for added defence. These shields, casemates and the rails on which the gun carriages stood are all still visible today. In 1885, Cliffe Fort became the site for an experimental harbour defence system known as the "Brennan Torpedo". This was the world's first wire guided missile. Originally there were two sets of launching rails, but only one remains today. As progressive as this system was at the time, it was replaced 25 years later in favour of quick-firing (QF) guns. Cliffe Fort remained armed throughout both World Wars, but was sold after the end of the Second World War to a local cement company. As a result of this, the fort has sadly been neglected and has fallen into a fairly advanced state of decay.

Uploaded by benobve on 16 Feb 2011

There are 3 levels, the lower level is flooded, I managed   to get to the top and middle levels.

When I had   finished exploring the fort I was on the middle level, and I   needed to be on the top level to get out. (I was able to   lower myself down to the middle level) But It took me 20   minuets to get back up. I was so scared that I was going to   be trapped down there.

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Two videos on the Hundred of Hoo Railway   Line.

Randall Manor in Shorne was once a large medieval home, bulit for Henry de Cobham where the family live, for three generations, until 1361.

The house remained until its stonework was used in the construction of nearby Cobham Hall in 1584. What was left of this 14th Century manorhouse which fell into disuse and was completely covered by the woodland at Shorne.

It was in the 1960's that local archaeologist and teacher, George Dockrell, re-discovered Randall Manor and since 2006 teams of enthusiasts, led by Kent County Council archaeologists, have worked to uncover the site and record their finds. It is a community archaeological event that, not only has importance in its own right, but helps to educate and encourage all to get involved.

Newcomers are always welcome whatever their experience or age may be.

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Upnor Castle was built on the banks of the River Medway opposite the naval dockyard at Chatham in order to help protect the anchorage.

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Temple Manor in Strood sits nestled in amongst an industrial estate but was once home to the Knights Templar although it is unlikely that more than a couple of knights ever made it their home.

It was built in the mid 13th Century with 17th Century extensions and was probably used as a stopping off resting place for the Templars on their pilgrimage to Rochester Cathedral.

By the 14th Century it became a farm and was rented out.

At present it is only open at weekends and admission is free.