Details of Coalhouse Fort open days
After being closed for four years Thurrock Council have announced there will be a series of open days starting on 12 and 13 October
Coalhouse Fort built between 1861 and 1874 on the North Bank of the Thames at East Tilbury opposite Cliffe Fort. For many years volunteers were opening the site to the public on a limited basis but this ceased in 2020. Now Thurrock Council have announced that the fort will open for a series of open days the first of which will be on 12 and 13 October - see above.
Cllr Val Morris-Cook, Cabinet member for Community Partnerships, said: "We are pleased that this historic monument will finally re-open to the public and we can begin to assess what work is required to fully re-open it.
"We will be working with Historic England to ensure that all renovations carried out are appropriate, up to their standards, and in keeping with this historic landmark.
"Following such a long period of being closed it’s great to see Coalhouse Fort open its doors again. We look forward to opening up more and more of this great landmark in the future as work on it progresses."
FSG members will be pleased to see the fort being reopended even on a limited basis. It is to be hoped that this is the first step in finding a sustainable future for this important site. It is interesting to see that the project is being funded by the Lower Thames Crossing's Designated Heritage Fund.
The fort was 0riginally planned for 28 guns in iron shielded casemates and a further 28 guns en barbette on the roof. By 1874 this was reduced to 4 x 12.5-inch, 13 x 11-inch, 3 x 9-inch RMLs. A 60 foot wide moat surrounded the fort.
By 1903 new concrete emplacements for 4 x 6-inch BLs and 4 x 12 pr. Q.F.s were added on the roof. These were removed in various stages and in WW2 the fort was armed with 2 x 5.5 inch guns from HMS Hood.
Aerial Photo - Thurrock Council
