Besides great sights, an interesting history and many exciting destinations, Gravesend has a lot more to offer. Here you will find many helpful tips to enjoy your vacation in Gravesend.
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Sights in Gravesend
Situated on the south bank of the River Thames in North Kent, Gravesend has been an important settlement since Saxon times when it was known by the name Gravesham. The town’s strategic location lured the first ferry across the river and eventually a thriving town grew up around the landing site. In 1268, Gravesend obtained a charter from King Henry III and became a free borough, responsible for its own government.
Throughout the centuries, Gravesend has been an auspicious place to live and work. The first London to Paris road ran through the town and Gravesend still serves as a gateway to London for those coming from Kent and the Continent. The port of Gravesend handled substantial maritime trade and was the departure point for many famous voyages, including the first circumnavigation of the globe by Francis Drake in 15771580 and multiple pilgrimages to the tomb of Thomas Becket in Canterbury.
Today, Gravesend is a bustling town with a rich history and plenty to see and do. The town centre still retains its medieval layout with narrow streets and alleyways leading down to the river. Visitors can explore the historic town centre and discover its many hidden treasures, including the Grade I listed Town Hall, the ancient cemetery at St George’s Chapel, and the remains of the 12th century Classey Church.
close to the Thames. For those who love the outdoors, Gravesend is the perfect place to enjoy a stroll along the river, a game of golf at one of the town’s three golf courses, or a cycle ride through the beautiful Kent countryside.
History of Gravesend
Gravesend is a town in Kent, England, on the south bank of the Thames Estuary and opposite Tilbury in Essex. It was an important trading and coaching town, and the first London suburb, with a market, by the 20th century.
The name Gravesend derives from grafensend, an old English word meaning border or shore. The town has been a settlement since prehistoric times, with graves and burial mounds dating back to the neolithic period. It was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086 as Gravesend, from Old English grafsendum, meaning port or haven of Gravesend.
The Dutch settlers who arrived in the 1620s founded the town’s first Europeanstyle town center, which is now called Voorhees (pronounced “FORus”). In 1668, the town was attacked by the Dutch fleet. This was the last time Gravesend was foreignoccupied.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Gravesend was a popular seaside resort for the London aristocracy. It was also known as a fashionable place to be buried. Many notable people are buried in the town, including Mary Wollstonecraft, founder of the women’s rights movement; her daughter, Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein; and Charles Dickens, who spent his honeymoon in Gravesend.
In the 20th century, the town declined in popularity as a seaside resort, but remained an important commercial port. Its proximity to London made it a desirable location for factories and warehouses. During World War II, Gravesend was heavily bombed by the German Luftwaffe.
Today, Gravesend is a busy town with a population of over 100,000. It is home to a number of schools and colleges, as well as a health center, library, and several parks. The town’s riverfront is being redeveloped, and there are plans to regenerate the town center. Gravesend is also home to the Gravesend Historical Society, which runs a museum and organizes walks and talks about the town’s history.
Vacation in Gravesend
Gravesend is a town in northwest Kent, England, on the south bank of the Thames estuary. It is twinned with Fuengirola in Spain.
Gravesend is first mentioned in a charter of 868 AD, when King Alfred the Great consented to the restoration of lands to Bishop Humbert of Selsey. The town only became notable, however, after the construction of Gravesend Dockyard by King Henry VIII in 1543.
The town remained relatively insignificant until the 19th century, when it was transformed by the coming of the railways. Gravesend became a seaside resort, and many Londoners came here to bathe in the waters of the Thames. The town was also popular with tourists from overseas, particularly America.
Today, Gravesend is still a popular destination for daytrippers from London, and its seafood restaurants are renowned. The town also has a number of historical attractions, including the site of the Battle of Gravesend (1643), the Mausoleum of Prince Shipshewana (1707), and the Windmill Hill viewpoint.
With its close proximity to London, Gravesend is the perfect place to base yourself if you want to explore the English capital. But there’s plenty to do in the town itself, whether you’re looking for a lively night out or a peaceful stroll by the river.
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