Coalhouse Fort is a large casemated fort near Tilbury, Essex, 4 miles downstream from Tilbury Fort. Originally the site of a 1780s battery, rebuilt in the 1860s.

One of Thurrock's key landmarks is the Coalhouse Fort in East Tilbury.

It was originally built following recommendations by the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom in 1860 as a coastal defence. The organisation in charge of the fort is currently making a £1.7M cash bid from the Heritage Lottery Fund. If the bid is successful the money will be used to make repairs to the building which is sited on parkland next to the River Thames.

The fort, built on the former site of gun batteries, was completed in 1874. It continued to serve as a defence to the capital through two world wars and was eventually bought by Thurrock Council in 1962.

In 1983 the fort was leased to voluntary group the Coalhouse Fort Project which aims to save the building from dereliction. Currently the fort is open for 18 days during the year but special group visits can be arranged. More money for the fort will also mean it is able to stay open longer. The ultimate goal for the project is to restore the building as close as possible to its original condition.

During its recent history the fort has been used as a location for TV programmes and films. The fort holds a series of open days throughout the year and also has special events for Hallowe'en and Christmas.

External links

• Coalhouse Fort (http://www.coalhousefort.co.uk/)