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Town in Kent, England
Photo: David Anstiss, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Chatham is a historic maritime town in the English county of Kent, on the River Medway. Steeped in naval heritage, it offers a mix of cultural, outdoor, and family-friendly activities. Known for its dockyards, forts, and vibrant high street, it’s perfect for history buffs, families, or those seeking a budget-friendly day trip. Together with its neighbouring towns of Rochester and Gillingham it forms a large urban area known as the Medway Towns.
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The most traditional and historic Royal Naval dockyard, established by the 1560s under Elizabeth I, ceased operations in 1984 and is now run as a museum. There are several naval ships and a submarine open to visit, and a working rope factory.
Arts centre with studio space for artists, exhibition gallery and cafe. Occasional film screenings in a popup cinema.
Small theatre in former town hall.
965-seat theatre.
This isn't just a go-kart track; it is a piece of British motorsport history. Famous for being the circuit where Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button discovered their talent, this venue offers the closest experience to professional racing you can get without a racing licence.
Wetherspoon's pub with meals.
Gin, whisky and vodka distillery. The gin is flavoured with juniper, elderflower, coriander, orange, lemon, cardamom, grains of paradise from Africa, angelica root and orris root. Gin or whisky tours. Pumproom bar is open in the summer only.
40-bed summer hostel about 4 miles from Chatham, housed in a districtive converted Oast House in a semi-rural setting.
About 5 minutes walk from Chatham station.
Modern hotel about 4 miles from Chatham town centre.
Near the entrance to the Dockyard and Dicken's World, and 1-2 miles from the town centre. Rooms about £60 without breakfast.
The Pentagon
Dockside
Local buses are operated by Arriva Kent and Surrey, Nu-Venture and ASD Coaches
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Southend-on-Sea, Essex · Regional · SEN
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