Walks
Discover the urban wonders of the River Medway
DESPITE the two towns being heavily urbanised, there is ample opportunity to enjoy walks along the River Medway in Rochester and Chatham.
Rochester The walkway and cycle path along the waterfront at
Rochester was opened in 2008, heralding the start of the planned regeneration for the area. Eventually Rochester Riverside should offer up to 2,000 new homes, a primary school, hotels, offices, parks and cafés as well as the new walkway, which has opened up public access to the waterfront for the first time in 100 years. The 32-hectare site stretches from the A2 Rochester Bridge
southwards to Doust Way. The River Medway forms the eastern boundary, while the railway line forms the western boundary. Rochester is a city steeped in history and was a favourite of Charles Dickens, who spent his childhood and final years in this area. Attractions include the Norman castle, cathedral, Restoration House (an Elizabethan mansion visited by Charles II) and Watts Almshouses. The route also passes along The Esplanade, a riverside road that was once the site of the Short Brothers boatyard. The famous Sunderland Flying Boats, which played a crucial role in World War II, were built at this site. From the walkway
there are views across the river and towards Gun Wharf in Chatham. Situated by the walkway is a large
blue crane, a reminder of the industrial past this area of land had. The three entry points are at Cory's Road/Gas House Road, Blue Boar Lane and Doust Way.
Chatham There are opportunities to explore Chatham's maritime
heritage along the river north and east of the town centre. Gun Wharf is the site of the Royal Marines Barracks, which
stood here from 1779 to 1950, home to the Chatham Division of the Royal Marines. It was here that cannons were repaired and fitted to ships. Ammunition was also delivered here, brought across the River Medway from Upnor Castle on the opposite bank.
You can continue along the sea wall before being diverted inland by the high wall of the Chatham Historic Dockyard, now a museum. It had a service of some 400 years, dating back to Tudor times when Chatham prepared the ships that were to fight the Spanish Armada. Dock Road leads north into the Dockside Outlet Centre and
over to St Mary's Island. This used to be an area of marshland and swamp, over which the Romans built a bridge to create a ferry crossing to the Hoo Peninsula. This ferry service lasted 1,900 years. From Napoleonic times the area was used to house prison
ships. In Victorian times it was decided to expand the Royal Dockyard into the island. The dockyard closed in 1984 and the area is now a massive redevelopment and regeneration project, with its own marina (the old Basin 1) and many modern buildings. The eastern part of St Mary's Island is an inaccessible
industrial area, so the path takes walkers over some landscaped grassland to a boardwalk over Basin 2, and then over a bridge back to the mainland. After a mile's walk alongside the A2, you reach the Strand Leisure Park, back on the banks of the Medway.
The Country Lifestyle Boutique in Lenham
Stockists of a wide range of quality clothing home and garden ware. Many great gift ideas
NEW Fireplace accessories now in stock inc. kindling, logs, log baskets, fire guards & much more.
The Little Country Garden 14 Mid Kent Living
NOW AVAILABLE A selection of exclusive paintings by local artists.
9 High Street | Lenham | Just of Square Tel: 01622 858318
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48