This fine example of an Elizabethan artillery fort was built in the 1560s to protect Royal Navy warships moored a little way down the river at Chatham Dockyard, and in 1667, during the Second Anglo-Dutch War, it finally saw action, in the sense of 'completely failing to protect Royal Navy warships moored at Chatham Dockyard'. The Medway Raid was one of the worst defeats in Royal Naval history, but at least the Castle is still fine shape. Limited free parking is available near the site. The Castle is served by the 197 bus service from Chatham, and the nearest railway station is Strood, about two miles away.