Chatham
Gate House contained a small garrison who controlled the
flow of traffic through the gate to Brompton. At
midnight each night the quarter draw bridge was raised and
the gates closed until the following morning.
It
contains two small barrack rooms, with working fire places,
in the East Wing upper level, 2 further bunk rooms on the
lower level, a grand hall with working fireplace. The lower
level has a series of musket firing loops to protect the
approach to the gate and a kitchen, with working fireplace,
for the use of the guard.
On
crossing over to the West Wing of the Gate House through
the archway is another larger barrack room with working
victorian fire range. Next to this is the prison cell or
lock up where unruly or drunk soldiers would be detained
by the guard to await a more formal discipline session the
next day.
Chatham
Gate House has undergone extensive restoration over the
past twelve months and is regularly hired as a barrack and
training area, function facility, exhibition area and meeting
room.
