Glorious Gravesend

With links to an American Indian princess, Charles Dickens and General Gordon of Khartoum, Gravesend also has the oldest cast-iron pier in the world, a spellbinding riverfront and an excellent mix of shops.

The town draws strength from the variety of cultures that have found their home here. On 12 April, the Vaisakhi festival takes place, when around 5000 people, including the mayor and civic dignitaries, will walk across town.

This is an annual event which celebrates the day in 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh Ji bound the Sikhs to a strict code of conduct and gave them a distinct identity. The procession will be led by a special float representing a model of the Golden Temple of Amritsa, inside which will be a copy of the Sikh Holy Script, the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

From the earliest times, Gravesend was considered to be the entry point for the Port of London

“The festival brings the community together,” explains Councillor Narinderjit Singh Thandi. “It’s not a frivolous occasion like a carnival, it’s a dignified religious celebration, yet the event will be lively and interesting: people wear colourful clothes, and there’ll be attractive floats for those who cannot walk.”

Towncentric, the tourist information centre (01474 337600), is the best place to start your visit – you’ll find a vast stock of information and leaflets, and nothing is too much trouble for the knowledgeable staff.

There are two main shopping centres, with 250 stores, including major high street retailers, plus 14 car parks (all with disabled facilities). There is a monthly Farmers’ Market, a historic covered market, 40 restaurants, clubs and pubs, an entertainment complex and a ten-pin bowling centre.

From the earliest times, Gravesend was considered to be the entry point for the Port of London, and large ships anchored offshore. Its strategic importance was such that forts were built, and the town was sacked by the French in 1380.

As river-related activates declined, so the town’s importance diminished until regeneration schemes altered its fortunes. It achieved Beacon status from the government in 2002 for work done in town-centre regeneration. Plans are now formulated for restoration of the Old Town Hall and for major investment in Gravesend’s Heritage Quarter.

Near St George’s Church, 650 new apartments, restaurants, offices and shops are envisaged, as are further improvements to the riverside to complement the Town Pier, newly refurbished as a bar and restaurant with unique views on the river.

To the east of the town, Ebbsfleet International station is now operational, with new high-speed domestic trains coming on track in December 2009, linking Ebbsfleet and Gravesend to London St Pancras. Waterfront living is becoming a reality at Gravesend Canal Basin, with 1,000 new homes plus business premises in the first phase. The Ebbsfleet Valley is to be developed, with 10,000 new homes, offices, retail and leisure facilities.

Did you know?

• Pocahontas, beautiful American Indian heroine and loyal friend to the English settlers in Virginia, died in Gravesend in 1617 and is buried under St George’s church; a bronze statue has been erected in the church’s grounds to commemorate her

• General Gordon spent what he described as the happiest days of his life in Gravesend, during which time he worked tirelessly for the poor and needy of the town. He is commemorated by a statue in the Gordon Gardens

• Dickens is thought to have featured the ‘Ship and Lobster’ pub in Denton christening it ‘The Ship’ in Great Expectations. A forge in the village of Chalk is probably the model for Joe Gargery's forge in the same novel

• The Mayor’s silver Mace and Oar is thought to be made by the same silversmith who made the House of Commons’ mace, and is of similar design

• The town was referred to in the Domesday survey of 1086 as Gravesham, though this term now refers to the borough, not the town

• The first town hall was erected in 1573, the ground floor acting as a market hall, though a market already existed since 1278. The current building was erected in the 1880s

• The coat of arms features a mythical monster called a sea porcupine, as well as the White Horse of Kent

What to see

Chantry Heritage Centre – Milton Chantry

Gravesend’s oldest building was originally built for saying prayers for the souls of the dead. It was later a tavern, finally serving as a military barracks. Visitors can now see displays and artifacts telling the town’s story.

New Tavern Fort

Remains of an 18th-century fort built against threat of French invasion, which was the headquarters of General Gordon. There are unique river views, and under the earth ramparts is a large underground magazine complex, restored to its 1850 heyday.

The Cold War Bunker

Command post from the Cold War, and built to facilitate 40 people living underground while masterminding a return to normality after a nuclear holocaust.

St George’s Church

The church was built in 1731 on the site of an earlier church, where Pocahontas was buried. A statue in the churchyard commemorates her.

Town Pier

This is the oldest remaining cast-iron pier in the world. Built in 1834 and restored in 2000, it was formerly a passenger pier, and the port of embarkation for many colonial settlers.

Three Daws

This pub is 500 years old. Its cellars house underground smugglers’ tunnels.

St Andrews Arts Centre and Mission House

St Andrews was originally a church, and the mission house next door was once the Spread Eagle Tavern, before being adapted by General Gordon for use as a reading room for local children. Today, the Arts Centre is used for drama and exhibitions.

Royal Terrace Pier

Restored in 1978, this 1842-built pier was used by Princess Alexandra when she arrived from Denmark to marry Edward V11. It is still a working pier.

The Ship and Lobster

Known as the ‘first and last pub’ on the Thames, in Denton.

Cobham

Cobham has a 13th-century church with the finest collection of medieval brasses in England and two stately homes: Owletts and The Yeoman’s House. The Leather Bottle Inn has a unique collection of Dickens exhibits and The Ship Inn is haunted.

Luddesdown

Luddesdown Court manor house, which dates from 1100, is the oldest continuously inhabited house in England. St Peter and Paul church has a medieval wooden ladder and bells. There is an intricate network of public footpaths (including the Wealdway), making it a favourite for ramblers and cyclists.

Meopham

This village has one of the longest village streets in England – it’s seven miles long. The village green is overlooked by a Windmill, built in 1801. The Kings Arms public house was where Charles 1 stayed during the Civil War.

Higham

Higham is renowned for its links with Charles Dickens, who wrote some of his most famous novels here. His home, Gad’s Hill place, is now a school.

What to do

For details of any of the below contact TOWNCENTRIC

• Sailings on a Thames Sailing Barges, on 24 May.

• Gravesham Heritage Festival from 17 May to 1 June. A fortnight packed with events, talks, walks, exhibitions and workshops.

• Pocahontas Promenade. A two-hour guided walk of Gravesend riverside, encompassing many enticing and largely unknown historic attractions. Begins at the statue of Princess Pocahontas. Twice daily on the 1st Wednesday of the month.

• Two major walks starting at the Riverside: The Saxon Shore Way and the Wealdway. The Sustrans National Cycle Route passes through the town.

• Vaisakhi Festival, Saturday 12 April 2008.

• Big Day Out, 5 & 6 July 2008 – Riverside Leisure Area.

• Woodville Halls Theatre Entertainment and Conference complex - Theatres shows, concerts, weddings, receptions etc..

• Farmers’ Market, Gravesend High Street, second Friday of each month.

Places to stay

Gravesend TOWNCENTRIC visitor centre provides an accommodation booking service. For more information on where to stay or any of the below, contact them on 01474 337600.

Bed & Breakfast

Eastcourt Oast, Chalk, Gravesend. Oast house in a countryside location.

Briars Court B & B. Family home, close to the town centre

The Rising Sun Inn. Inn with 16th-century original inglenooks, restaurant, four-poster beds.

Self catering

27 Russell Quay, West Street, Gravesend. Modern riverside flat

Sunrise, Meopham. Bungalow

Feathercott Lodge, Meopham. Self-catering lodge.

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