Rich river heritage, paddle steamers, ancient woods and outdoor adventures - welcome to beautiful and surprising Gravesham!
Nearby, the ancient forests of Shorne Woods Country Park boasts orienteering and electronic treasure hunt trails; while Cyclopark will see you whizzing around skateparks, BMX tracks and mountain bike trails.
AM
Start your day visiting Gravesend’s Old Borough Market (open Tues to Sun) and wander around the diverse and quirky stalls. Pick up an audio tour from the Visitor Information Point and start your journey of discovery, uncovering Gravesend’s rich and fascinating history.
Have you always wondered what Pocahontas would say to visitors of Gravesend if she had the chance? Head straight to St George’s Church where Pocahontas’ statue stands and use http://speak2.co/poca on your phone to see what happens…
LUNCH
Located in the heart of Gravesend's Heritage Quarter, enjoy a leisurely lunch at Riva Waterside Restaurant & Bar with panoramic views over the River Thames on the oldest surviving cast iron pier in the world.
PM
Spend your first afternoon visiting the magnificent Gravesend Sikh Gurdwara; Europe’s largest and finest Sikh place of worship where Gravesend’s Sikh community offers a very warm welcome. The temple’s design is inspired by the famous temples of India and is the largest Sikh temple in the country.
Another must-see is Gravesend's Cold War Bunker, where a domestic fallout room and radiation monitoring post evoke a clandestine 1950s England, fearful of nuclear attack.
DINNER
Enjoy an evening meal at Tufail Indian Restaurant in Gravesend town centre. Select from an extensive menu of freshly cooked Indian dishes in a sleek modern restaurant. The perfect way to end your first day in Gravesham.
AM
Today you may wish to discover the beautiful countryside and villages around. Strap on your walking boots and stride out on a nice walk at Jeskyns Park or Shorne Woods Country Park and take in some of Gravesham’s glorious countryside views.
Gravesend is also rich in links to one of England's greatest Victorian authors. Hunt out the compelling Charles Dickens connections, Chalk, Shorne, and Higham Marshes.
Lunch
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, make your way to the quaint village of Cobham and to the Leather Bottle pub, for creative cuisine, atmospheric beams and more Dickens connections; the novelist wrote the Pickwick Papers here.
PM
Visit the beautiful Cobham Church with its magnificent collection of brasses, and some of which are more than 600 years old. By reputation they are the finest collection of mediaeval brasses in the world.
Cobham Hall is another architectural gem, with the perfect blend of Elizabethan, Jacobean, and Georgian design. A tour of the hall will take in huge marble fireplaces and immense chandeliers. Follow in the footsteps of the original owners, the Darnley family, and walk through the ancient cattle-grazed woodland to visit the Cobham Mausoleum.
Drive back to Gravesend and pass the village of Higham and Gad’s Hill place, house of Charles Dickens. It was right here that Dickens wrote Great Expectations and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The house is open for tours between April and October on weekends. Please check Visit Gravesend website for updates.