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Gravesham, on the south bank of the Thames, 25 miles east of London, is a place of variety and surprises. It encompasses the historic towns of Gravesend and Northfleet, and the spectacular countryside of the North Downs villages. Gravesend occupies a demanding position on the River Thames, from which it derives its importance and history.
One of the town’s first distinctions was that it had the sole right to transport passengers to London by water in the late 14th century. When in the early 19th century, the first steamboat plied between Gravesend and London and brought a steadily increasing number of visitors, Gravesend became one of the first English resort town’s. Today Gravesend again offers plenty to interest the visitors and provides an ideal centre from which to tour Kent and visit the many historical places and modern facilities that exist nearby.
Some places of interest in Gravesham include, Windmill Hill, which provides a superb vantage point in the centre of the town from which to view the Thames estuary and the surrounding countryside. It was formerly for the siting of a string of communication beacons. The Thames Riverfront, the banks of the Thames at Gravesend provides a commanding position from which to watch the variety of shipping on the river.
Milton Chantry was founded in 1332 as a chantry chapel in an order house by the Earl of Pembroke. After the Reformation it was disused until the 17th century, when it became an inn and subsequently part of the coastal defence works. Now in the care of the English Heritage and open to the public mid-March to mid-October. Hammer Street and Berkley Crescent were laid out in the 1830’s as the first part of a grand “new town” plan. The focal point of this Conservation Area is the Clocktower, elected by public subscription in 1887 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
New Tavern Fort was built in the 1780’s against the threat of invasion from France. Extensively rebuilt by General Gordon in about 1870. The large underground magazine complex is open April to September and most public holidays. High Street is one of the town’s most interesting streets leading down to the River. It contains some unique examples of 18th century timber framed houses. About half way down is the old Town Hall, which was built in 1836 in the Greek Doric style in imitation of the Parthenon in Athens. An archway under the portico leads a covered way to the town’s Market, one of the earliest in England dating 1268.
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