Gravesend reveals itself through views of the river from Town Pier and a history that spans the town’s oldest building to military installations. There are also churches, a gurdwara, gardens and cultural activities. When planning your visit, it’s worth distinguishing between historic sites, events and routes of varying lengths.
River Views and Riverside History
Milton Chantry is the oldest building in Gravesend, Kent. If you’re planning a visit, take note of the usual opening hours: the building is normally open from April to September on weekends and public holidays, from 12 noon to 5 pm. Check the hours before you arrive, as they may change.
Gravesend Town Pier was built in 1834 and is the oldest cast-iron pier in the world. From the pier and pontoon, you can enjoy panoramic views of the river. The pontoon also provides access for various watercraft, including barges and paddle steamers. This is a place where architectural history, views and river traffic come together.
Other places also tell the story of Gravesend’s riverside past. St George’s Church is where Pocahontas was buried in the chancel; the church hosts local music concerts throughout the year. New Tavern Fort was built in the 1780s to protect the Thames from the threat of a French naval attack. Gravesend Blockhouse is the surviving remains of one of the five artillery blockhouses that Henry VIII had built on the banks of the Thames.
Architecture, Views and Green Spaces
Sri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara has five elaborately decorated domes. Inside, you’ll find handcrafted marble and stonework, colourful tiles and stained-glass windows. Visitors are welcomed on guided tours. The gurdwara offers a distinct architectural highlight alongside Gravesend’s historic churches and fortifications.
Windmill Hill combines a viewpoint over the surrounding area with views of activity on the river. Several features also point to different chapters of history: the hill has impact craters from German zeppelins during the First World War. A beacon also stands there, commemorating the advance of the Spanish Armada. Here, the views and historical reminders are closely linked.
Gordon Gardens offer a different kind of visit. Paths wind around a small lake surrounded by flowers, mature plants and trees. The gardens are also home to a statue of General Gordon, made from terracotta by Doulton Lambeth. The lake, planting and monument give the site both a garden and a historical connection.
Routes and Cultural Programme
Two routes of very different lengths are worth considering when planning your itinerary. The Wealdway starts at Town Pier and runs all the way to Eastbourne in East Sussex, covering 129 kilometres. Gravesend town centre is linked to Cyclopark by local walking and cycling routes, including Route 177 of the National Cycle Network. This link is about two miles long. These details help distinguish a long-distance route starting in Gravesend from the local connection to Cyclopark, without treating them as equivalent outings.
The cultural programme also offers different reasons to plan your stay. St Andrew’s Arts Centre was originally built as a mission church for Gravesend’s riverside community and now hosts a programme of exhibitions, events and activities. Programme details may change, so check what’s on during your travel dates. The Chartered Borough Market has a history dating back to 1268.
The Woodville offers live music, classical concerts, family shows, stand-up comedy, live theatre, exhibitions and cinema. As the programme may change, check the dates for your stay. Between historic sites, viewpoints, gardens and changing events, you can explore Gravesend according to your own interests.
Discover more destinations: Womenswold, Wye, Cliffs End, Upchurch, Tunbridge Wells, Lyminge, Sandhurst, Edenbridge
For the main travel overview: Kent.
