Chatham
Gate House and Barracks contained a small garrison who controlled
the flow of pedestrian 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 and Barracks has undergone extensive restoration
over the past twelve months and is regularly hired by groups
and students as a barrack and training area, function facility,
exhibition area and meeting room.
There
is a fully fitted kitchen and mess room, modern conveniences
and bunks with mattresses. Whether they be Napoleonic,
WW1, WW2 reenactors, Student exhibitions or Live Action
Role Players - they all are in awe of what we have to offer!
