War Walks: Gunners Park

Over remembrance weekend explore the fascinating story of Shoeburyness Garrison!

Walk through 250 years of history, from the Napoleonic Wars to the Cold War in this unmissable tour of Shoeburyness’ Gunners Park.

We will uncover the beginnings of the site as an observation post in case of a French invasion in the 1790s, as well as its development as an artillery testing and practice range in the mid-1800s.

Walking through the former garrison we explore it’s stunning buildings and set them in context through the developmental history of the site.

WWI and WWII are looked at in detail as the garrison played a very important role in weapons testing, artillery training, as well as a defensive position on the Thames estuary.

We look at some famous faces that passed through the site, including Winston Churchill, as well as study some of the successful – and less successful – weapons tested and developed on site.

We end our tour at the barge pier and railway line so important to the facilities vital work.