South Ockendon Hospital
In February 2024, we visited what remains of South Ockendon Hospital, and were shown around the beautiful recreation hall and other surviving rooms with kind …
Bata Shoe Factory & Estate
The Bata shoe factory and estate was built in East Tilbury the 1930s by Czecheslovakian entrepeneur Thomas Bata. It was modelled on the original factory …
East Tilbury Battery
Situated just half a mile away from Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury Battery, was constructed from 1887-93 and supplemented Coalhouse Fort as part of the Thames’ …
Coalhouse Fort
Coalhouse Point where the Thames suddenly narrows was home to several defences since 1402, and a D-shaped artillery battery fort stood here from 1539. The …
Tilbury Fort
Tilbury Fort has been defending London from the threat of invasion for over 500 years. Since the fort was built in 1539, under the rein …
Tilbury-Gravesend Ferry & Old Terminal
On a sunny, yet brisk, weekend the BTP boys decided to head to Tilbury to catch the ferry over to Gravesend with guests Michael Clark and …
Tilbury Pillbox
Situated around a mile west from Coalhouse Fort, this Lozenge pillbox has been the victim of coastal erosion. Once sitting on the Essex marshes it …
Bowaters Farm HAA Battery
TN13, or Bowaters Farm Anti-Aircraft Battery, was built at the outbreak of the Second World War. Whilst many HAA sites have been demolished, we were …
Wing QF Battery
The Quick-Firing ‘Wing Battery’ just south-west of Coalhouse Fort inland of Coalhouse Point was constructed in 1893 to counter enemy torpedo boat technology which presented …
Coalhouse WW2 Defences & Radar Tower
Radar Tower On the river Thames foreshore just south of the fort lies an early radar tower built in the Second World War. There was …