Chatham

About

Chatham is fascinating maritime destination with a history stretching back over 400 years.  Famous seafarers Hawkins, Drake, Nelson and Gillingham born Will Adams would have known the area well.  Always fearing invasion, Henry VIII constructed a dockyard at Chatham, now a major visitor attraction in Medway known as The Historic Dockyard Chatham.

The great British author, Charles Dickens moved to Chatham at the age of five when his father John Dickens worked in the Royal Navy pay office at the dockyard.  The next seven years of Charles’ life were spent exploring the docks, Georgian Chatham and accompanying his father on long walks in the surrounding countryside. 

Things to do in Chatham

Within a stones throw of The Historic Dockyard Chatham, the town’s military connections are evident. During the Napoleonic times Fort Amherst was built to defend the Royal Dockyard from landward invasion and was used right up to the Second World War.  A military base is still at Brompton Barracks and the stories of heroism and bravery can be discovered at Kent’s only designated museum of national importance The Royal Engineers Museum.

In a picturesque village on the opposite bank of the River Medway stands Upnor Castle.  The castle was built to protect Queen Elizabeth’s 1’s warships and the naval dockyard. Other things to do in Chatham include enjoying the green space of Capstone Country Park or testing your karting skills at Buckmore Park.

The historic, riverside Command House has recently undergone a half a million-pound renovation.
Built in the 1800s, the Grade II listed new-look hostelry steeped in military history, has period features and a panoramic view over the river towards the former Chatham Dockyard and the ongoing regeneration town centre project.
 

For things to do in Chatham this weekend, check out our Kent events guide.