Fabulous Family Fun - Tilbury Fort

Today we decided to visit Tilbury Fort, none of us have been before, although I do remember as a small child standing on the sea wall outside watching the big ships go past and seeing the guns on the other side of the fence. Tilbury Fort has an amazing history dating back to 16th century, the first fort was built by Henry VIII. As you can see the weather was glorious but a little windy. When you arrive at the fort you get given a free audio guide and can listen to lots of interesting facts about what happened here during WWII. Below is the parade square and you can really imagine a Dill Sergeant shouting out orders to the men.

Here are Rachel and Jack finding out lots of information on their audio guides.

Because of the way is was built and all the underground storage magazines for the ammunition there were plenty of hills to roll down.

This was Jack's favourite part, the wooden bridge, but sadly you can't actually walk on it now due to health and safety but apparently it used to be the entrance to the fort and you also used to be able to pay to fire one of the guns!!! how cool would that have been!

We enjoyed our picnic in the grounds and the kids spent over three hours running up and down and in and out of tunnels and looking at memorabilia. We spoke with the young girl on the ticket desk and found out that she has actually lived at the fort since she was nine, and that three families live at the site in the officers quarters, that must have been a fantastic childhood growing up here, but maybe a little spooky at night though!!!
Once we had completely worn ourselves out we bought some ice-creams and headed for the sea wall to see some huge ships coming down the Thames and into the docks.
All in all its been a fabulous day today, everyone is suitably shattered and its early nights all round....