Gravesend
Gravesend shown within Kent
Population	56000 (2005)
OS grid reference	TQ647740
District	Gravesham
Shire county	Kent
Region	South East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Gravesend
Postcode district	DA11, DA12
Dialling code	01474
Police	Kent
Fire	Kent
Ambulance	South East Coast
European Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	Gravesham
List of places: UK • England • Kent

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Gravesend is a town in northwest Kent, England, on the south bank of the Thames, opposite Tilbury in Essex. It is the administrative town of the Borough of Gravesham and, because of its geographical position, has always had an important role to play in the history and communications of this part of England. It still retains today a strong link with the river. The opening of the Eurostar railway station at Ebbsfleet, and the fact that it is lies with the Thames Gateway, add to the town's importance. For other uses, see Kent (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article is about the River Thames in southern England. ... Tilbury is located on the north bank of the River Thames, in the borough of Thurrock in England, at the point where the river suddenly narrows to about 800 yards/740 metres in width. ... This article is about the county of Essex in England. ... The districts of England are a level of subnational division of England used for the purposes of local government. ... Gravesham is a local government district and borough in Kent, England. ... This article is about high-speed trains between London and Brussels / Paris. ... The Thames Gateway is an area of land stretching 40 miles eastwards from East London on both sides of the River Thames and the Thames Estuary. ...

Etymology

The town was recorded as Gravesham in the Domesday Book in 1086 as belonging to Odo, Bishop of Bayeux: the name probably derived from "graaf-ham": the home of the Reeve, or Bailiff, of the Lord of the Manor. Another theory suggests that the name Gravesham may be a corruption of the words grafs-ham – a place "at the end of the grove". Gravesham is a local government district and borough in Kent, England. ... A line drawing entitled Domesday Book from Andrew Williamss Historic Byways and Highways of Old England. ... Odo of Bayeux (c. ... The bishopric of Bayeux, coextensive with the Department of Calvados, is a suffragan to the Archbishopric of Rouen, also in Normandy, France. ... The title of Lord of the Manor arose in the English medieval system of Manorialism following the Norman Conquest. ...

History

Stone Age implements have been found in the area; as has the evidence of an Iron Age settlement at nearby Springhead. Extensive Roman remains have been found nearby, at Vagniacae (Springhead); and Gravesend lies immediately to the north of their road connecting London with the Kent coast – now called Watling Street. The Domesday Book recorded mills hythes and fisheries here. ^[1]. Springhead (or Vagniacea) lies at the source of the Ebbsfleet stream, just southwest of the Gravesend suburban conurbations. ... Roman Britain refers to those parts of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire between 43 and 410. ... The modern Watling Street crossing the Medway at Rochester near the Roman and Celt crossings Watling Street is the name given to an ancient trackway in England and Wales that was first used by the Celts mainly between the modern cities of Canterbury and St Albans. ...

In the Fort Gardens is Milton Chantry, Gravesend's earliest existing building of the late 13th century. It was refounded about 1321 on the site of a hospital founded in 1189. At the time it was supported by lands in Essex. Chantry is a term for the English establishment of a shrine or chapel on private land where monks or priests would say (or chant) prayers on a fixed schedule, usually for someone who had died. ...

Gravesend has one of the oldest surviving markets in the country, its earliest charter dating from 1268. Town status was granted to the two parishes of Gravesend and Milton, the Charter of Incorporation being received in that year. The first Mayor of Gravesend was elected in that year, although the first Town Hall was in place by 1573: it was replaced in 1764. A new frontage was built in 1836. Although its use as a Town Hall came to an end in 1968, when the new Civic Centre was opened, it continued in use as the Magistrates' Courts. At present (2004) it is disused, and discussions are being held with a view to its future. Milton-next-Gravesend was an ancient parish in the NW of the county of Kent, England. ... It has been suggested that Town Hall be merged into this article or section. ...

In 1401 a Royal Grant was issued, allowing the men of the town to operate boats between London and the town; these became known as the ‘’Long Ferry’’. It became the preferred form of passage, because of the perils of the road journey (see below).

On the river front is recorded the archaeological remains of a riverside fort built at the command of Henry VIII in 1543. At Fort Gardens is the New Tavern Fort built during the 1780s and later extensively rebuilt by General Gordon between 1865 and 1879: it is now a museum, partly open-air under the care of the Gravesend Local History Society. [1] Henry VIII redirects here. ... For other uses, see Museum (disambiguation). ...

Journeys by road to Gravesend were once quite hazardous, since the main London-Dover road crossed Blackheath, notorious for its highwaymen. Stagecoaches from London to Canterbury, Dover and Faversham used Gravesend as one of their "stages" as did those coming north from Tonbridge. In 1840 there were 17 coaches picking up and setting down passengers and changing horses each way per day. There were two coaching inns in the New Road: the New Prince of Orange and the Lord Nelson. Stagecoaches had been plying the route for at least two centuries: Samuel Pepys records having stopped off at Gravesend in 1650. , Dover is a major channel port in the English county of Kent. ... , Blackheath is a village in London, centred on an area of open grassland (the heath) and straddling the boundary of the London Borough of Lewisham and the London Borough of Greenwich. ... Folk image of a mounted highwayman Highwayman was a term used particularly in Britain during the 17th and 18th centuries to describe criminals who robbed people travelling by stagecoach and other modes of transport along public highways. ... A stagecoach is a type of four-wheeled enclosed passenger and/or mail coach, strongly sprung and drawn by four horses, widely used before the introduction of railway transport. ... Canterbury is a cathedral city in east Kent in South East England and is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Primate of All England, head of the Church of England and of the worldwide Anglican Communion. ... Faversham is a town in Kent, England, in the district of Swale, roughly halfway between Sittingbourne and Canterbury. ... Tonbridge is a market town in the English county of Kent, with a population of 31,600 in 2001. ... Samuel Pepys, FRS (23 February 1633 – 26 May 1703) was an English naval administrator and Member of Parliament, who is now most famous for his diary. ...

A Map of Gravesend from 1946

Although a great deal of the economy of the town continued to lie with the shipping trades, the other big employees were the cement and paper industries. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 487 pixel Image in higher resolution (2669 × 1625 pixel, file size: 936 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Gravesend, Kent ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 487 pixel Image in higher resolution (2669 × 1625 pixel, file size: 936 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Gravesend, Kent ...

During the period 1932-1956 there was an airport located to the east of the town. It began life as a civilian field, but during the WWII it became a Royal Air Force fighter station. In 1956 the site was taken over by the town council; the large estate known as ‘’Riverview Park’’ was built on its site.*^[2] German soldiers at the Battle of Stalingrad World War II was the most extensive and costly armed conflict in the history of the world, involving the great majority of the worlds nations, being fought simultaneously in several major theatres, and costing tens of millions of lives. ... RAF redirects here. ...

Governance

Gravesend is part of, and is the principal town of, the Borough of Gravesham.^[3] As noted above, it consists of the two ancient ecclesiastical parishes of Gravesend and Milton-next-Gravesend. The Borough was formed on 1 April 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, by the merger of the Gravesend Urban District Council and Northfleet Rural District Councils (RDCs), both set up under the Local Government Act 1894, which also revived the parish councils. Since the built-up areas of the two latter council coincide, it was always impossible to discern the boundary between them. A parish is a type of administrative subdivision. ... Milton-next-Gravesend was an ancient parish in the NW of the county of Kent, England. ... is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... The Local Government Act 1972 (1972 c. ... In the British Isles an urban district was a type of local government district which covered an urbanised area. ... In the British Isles rural districts were a historic type of local government district which covered predominantly rural areas. ... The Local Government Act 1894 (57 & 58 Vict. ...

Geography

The site of Gravesend is at a point where the high land - the lowest point of the dip slope of the North Downs - reaches the river bank. To the east is the low-lying marshy areas of the Shorne Marshes; to the west, beyond Northfleet, the Swanscombe Marshes. The settlement which grew up was therefore the only good landing place; it was also sheltered by the prominent height of what is now called Windmill Hill (see Landmarks below). General Definition A dip slope is a geological formation often created by tilted strata. ... Geology of the South East, Chalk is light green (6) A cross-section , showing the Wealden Dome, and relating it to the towns of Kent The North Downs are a ridge of chalk hills located in south east England that stretch for 120 miles (190 km) from Hampshire through Surrey... Windmill Hill, located in Gravesend, Kent, named for its erstwhile windmills, offers extensive views across the Thames, and was a popular spot for Victorian visitors to the town, because of the Camera obscura installed in the old mill and for its tea gardens and other amusements. ...

From its origins as a landing place and first port of call for shipping Gravesend gradually extended. southwards and eastwards. The well-off people from London were coming to the town during the summer months; at first by boat, and then by railway. More extensive building began after World War I; this increased after WWII, when many of the estates around the town were built.^[4] “The Great War ” redirects here. ...

Climate

On 10 August 2003, Gravesend recorded one of the highest temperatures since records began in the United Kingdom, with a reading of 38.1 degrees Celsius (100.6 degrees Fahrenheit),^[5] only beaten by Brogdale, near Faversham, 26 miles (42 km) to the ESE.^[6] One explanation for the phenomenon was the large amount of earthworks in connection with High Speed 1, which had exposed a great deal of the local sandy soil, which absorbed more sunshine! is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Brogdale is a hamlet in Kent, England, located beside the M2 motorway two miles south of Faversham. ... Faversham is a town in Kent, England, in the district of Swale, roughly halfway between Sittingbourne and Canterbury. ... 0 km London St Pancras Temple Mills Eurostar Depot 9 km Stratford International 10 km 21 km 27 km 30 km 32 km 37 km Ebbsfleet International 39 km 50 km 54 km 88 km 89 km 90 km Ashford International 91 km 106 km Dollands Moor Freight terminal 108...

Demography

NB Statistics here are for the Borough of Gravesham, not simply Gravesend

In the past twenty years the economy of Gravesham has changed from being based on heavy industry to being more service-based. The population in 2001 was 95,717, an increase of 2.6% since 1991; it has a high population density (almost 10 people per hectare) compared nationally; it has a relatively young population (40% of the population are below 30); and 60% of the population are of working age.

The second largest religious group in the Borough are Sikhs, who make up 6.7% of the population. ^[7]

Economy

Gravesend today is a busy commercial town. It serves a large area as a shopping centre: there are several of the multiples here, and a good range of local shops. It has a market meeting twice weekly; and a newly-established farmers’ market. There are still those employed on the river as crews on the tugboats. Gravesend "watermen" were often in a family trade; and the town is the headquarters of the Port of London Authority Thames Navigation Service, supplying both river and sea pilots. Today radar plays an important part in the movement of shipping on the river. A tugboat shown turning a large RORO cargo ship. ... The Port of London lies along the banks of the River Thames in London, England. ...

Its position in the Thames Gateway makes for being an important asset: there are many commuters away from the town, but local enterprises employ as many people.^[8] The Thames Gateway is an area of land stretching 40 miles eastwards from East London on both sides of the River Thames and the Thames Estuary. ...

Landmarks

Gravesend Town Pier

The refurbished Town Pier

The Pier is the world's oldest surviving cast iron pier, built in 1834^[9] it is a unique structure with the first known iron cylinders used for its foundation. The pier has recently been completely refurbished (2004) and now has upon it a bar and restaurant.

Gravesend clock tower, Harmer Street

the clock tower in Gravesend

The town’s clock tower was built at the top of Harmer street. The foundation stone was laid on 6 September 1887. The memorial stone states that the clock tower was erected by public subscription (£700 was raised toward its construction) and it was dedicated to Queen Victoria, to commemorate the 50th year of her long reign.^[10] Built with Portland and Dumfries stone, backed with hard stock brickwork, the design of the structure was based on St Stephens tower, the Westminster tower that houses Big Ben. The centre of the clock itself is measured at 50 feet (15 m) above the ground and the face is 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) in diameter. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (480x640, 146 KB) Summary Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (480x640, 146 KB) Summary Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1887 (MDCCCLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Queen Victoria redirects here. ... Big Ben redirects here. ...

Pocahontas statue

the statue of Pocahontas in St George's churchyard

An American sculptor, William Ordway Partridge, had created a life-size statue of Pocahontas, which was unveiled in Jamestown, Virginia in 1922. Queen Elizabeth II viewed this statue in 1957 and again on 4 May 2007, while visiting Jamestown on the 400th anniversary of the founding of the first successful English colonial settlement in America. On 5 October 1958 an exact replica of the Pocahontas statue by Partridge was dedicated as a memorial to the princess at St. George's Church in Gravesend. The Governor of Virginia presented the statue as a gift to the British people; this gesture was prompted by The Queen's visit to America the previous year. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (480x640, 151 KB) Summary Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (480x640, 151 KB) Summary Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... William Ordway Partridge (1861–1930) was an American sculptor whose work still adorns New York City. ... A 1616 engraving of Pocahontas by Simone van de Passe. ... Elizabeth II in an official portrait as Queen of Canada (on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002, wearing the Sovereigns badges of the Order of Canada and the Order of Military Merit) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) (born 21 April 1926), styled HM The... is the 124th day of the year (125th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... For other uses, see 5th October (Serbia). ... Jan. ...

Windmill Hill

Main article: Windmill Hill, Kent

Windmill Hill named for its erstwhile windmills, offers extensive views across the Thames, and was a popular spot for Victorian visitors to the town, because of the Camera obscura installed in the old mill and for its tea gardens and other amusements. The hill was the site of a beacon in 1377, which was instituted by Richard II, and still in use 200 years later at the time of the Spanish Armada, although the hill was then known as "Rouge Hill". A modern beacon was erected and lit during 1988, the 300th anniversary. Windmill Hill, located in Gravesend, Kent, named for its erstwhile windmills, offers extensive views across the Thames, and was a popular spot for Victorian visitors to the town, because of the Camera obscura installed in the old mill and for its tea gardens and other amusements. ... Windmill Hill, located in Gravesend, Kent, named for its erstwhile windmills, offers extensive views across the Thames, and was a popular spot for Victorian visitors to the town, because of the Camera obscura installed in the old mill and for its tea gardens and other amusements. ... This article is about machines that convert wind energy into mechanical energy. ... The camera obscura (Lat. ... Richard II (January 6, 1367 – February 14, 1400) was King of England from 1377 until he was deposed in 1399. ... Belligerents Kingdom of England Dutch Republic Spain Kingdom of Portugal Commanders Elizabeth I of England Charles Howard Francis Drake Philip II of Spain Duke of Medina Sidonia Strength 34 warships 163 armed merchant vessels 30 Dutch flyboats 22 galleons 108 armed merchant vessels Casualties and losses 50–100 dead[1...

It was during the reign of Elizabeth I that the first windmill was placed on top the highest point in Gravesend, 179 ft (55 m) above the high water mark of the river. One mill burnt down in 1763, but was replaced the following year and that too demolished in 1894. The last surviving windmill was destroyed by fire during Mafeking Night celebrations in 1900. Elizabeth I redirects here. ... This article is about machines that convert wind energy into mechanical energy. ... Mafikeng is the capital of the North West Province, South Africa, 870 miles NE of Cape Town and 492 miles SSW of Bulawayo by rail, and 162 miles in a direct line W by N of Johannesburg. ...

During World War I A German airship passed over Windmill Hill and dropped bombs on it. Today there are three markers indicating where these bombs struck. “The Great War ” redirects here. ...

Gravesend and the Thames

The Thames has long been an important feature in Gravesend life and may well have been the deciding factor for the first settlement here. One of the town's first distinctions was in being given the sole right to transport passengers to and from London by water in the late 14th century. The "Tilt Boat" was a familiar sight on the river. The first steamboat plied its trade between Gravesend and London in the early 19th century, bringing with it a steadily increasing number of visitors to The Terrace Pier Gardens, Windmill Hill, Springhead Gardens and Rosherville Gardens. Gravesend soon became one of the first English resort towns and thrived from an early tourist trade. Rosherville Gardens was a pleasure garden in Gravesend, Kent, England. ...

Gravesend "watermen" were often in a family trade; and the town is the headquarters of the Port of London Authority Thames Navigation Service, supplying both river and sea pilots. Today radar plays an important part in the movement of shipping on the river. The Port of London lies along the banks of the River Thames in London, England. ...

The Thames Navigation Service was first thought up between 1950 and 1952 by Captain Peter de Neumann, GM, when he was Commander of HMRC Vigilant (HM Customs & Excise), whose base was in Gravesend Reach. [It is possible that "Vigilant Way" in Gravesend is named for her.] This idea followed on from considering such incidents as the accidental ramming of HMS Truculent by the Divina in 1950, the collision with the Nore Forts by Baalbek, and the disastrous flooding of Canvey, Foulness and the East Coast in 1953. In these and other situations, rescue and intelligence gathering were severely hampered by a lack of centralised command and control, and lack of detailed "picture". de Neumann resigned his command after returning Vigilant from the Spithead Review and joined the PLA, immediately suggesting in a report to them, submitted in 1953, that a feasibility study of such a system be commenced. He then oversaw its development and ultimate installation at Gravesend. Bernard Peter de Neumann GM (18 September 1917–16 September 1972), had an adventurous, sometimes dangerous, and innovative career, that included being charged and convicted of piracy by the Vichy French, and becoming famous as “The Man From Timbuctoo”. Peter de Neumann as Commander of HMRC Vigilant in about 1950...

Tugs docking the panamax coal carrier Armia Krajowa at Tilbury Power Station

Until the building of Tilbury Docks on the opposite side of the river, between 1882-6, Gravesend was the first port of entry. Thousands of emigrants, as well as large numbers of troops, embarked from here. Tilbury Docks have expanded considerably since with the closure of all the London Docks. The entrance to the Docks is somewhat awkward, situated as it is on the sharp bend of the river, and often need tugboat assistance, as do the larger ships moored at Tilbury landing stages. There have been many tug companies based at Gravesend: among them the Sun Company, the Alexandra Towing Company and, today, the Smith Howard Towing Company. East Indiaman traditionally stopped here at a point known as Long Reach to lighten their loads before sailing up the Thames to moorings at Blackwall.^[11] Tilbury is located on the north bank of the River Thames, in the borough of Thurrock in England, at the point where the river suddenly narrows to about 800 yards/740 metres in width. ... London Docks in 1831. ... A tugboat shown turning a large RORO cargo ship. ... An East Indiaman was a ship belonging to the British East India Company. ... This article is about the River Thames in southern England. ... Blackwall is an area of the East End of London, situated in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. ...

Passengers alighting from the Tilbury ferry

The river still plays a vital part in the life of the community today, providing an important link for industry and jobs to the benefit of many people. The cross-river passenger ferry to Tilbury provides a long-established route to and from the neighbouring County of Essex. Before the Dartford Crossing came into being there was a vehicle ferry here as well. Tilbury is located on the north bank of the River Thames, in the borough of Thurrock in England, at the point where the river suddenly narrows to about 800 yards/740 metres in width. ... , The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge The Dartford Crossing joins Dartford and Thurrock across the River Thames, to the east of London. ...

Thames and Medway Canal

The canal basin

The Thames and Medway Canal was opened for barge traffic in 1824, but after only 20 years it had proved too difficult a route for navigation between the Thames and Medway and was left to silt up. From 1844, the canal's tunnel was used to provide a route for the railway. Today the canal basin at the Gravesend end of the Canal is used for pleasure craft. Gravesend Sailing Club is based here. The lock has been dredged and restoration and strengthening works have been carried out to the basin walls as part of regeneration of the area. The Thames and Medway Canal is a now-disused canal in the south east of England, in Kent. ...

Transport

Roads

The main roads through the town are the west-east A226 road from Dartford and beyond to Rochester; and the A227 road to Tonbridge. The A2 road passes two miles (3 km) south of Gravesend town centre; a four-mile stretch of it is being rerouted to take the traffic away from the south end of the town.^[12] The numbering zones for A-roads in Great Britain List of A roads beginning with 2 in Great Britain starting south of the River Thames and east of the A3. ... , Dartford is the principal town in the borough of Dartford. ... , Rochester is a town in Kent, England, at the lowest bridging point of the River Medway about 30 miles (50 km) from London. ... Tonbridge is a market town in the English county of Kent, with a population of 31,600 in 2001. ... Not to be confused with A2 road (Northern Ireland). ...

In March 2006 the first of the area’s new Fastrack bus services, which use a combination of ordinary roads and dedicated 'bus tracks', opened. The service links to Greenhithe, Bluewater Shopping Centre and Dartford. Arriva Southern Counties is a bus operator in London, Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent in England. ... Greenhithe is a village in Dartford District of Kent, England. ... Bluewater Shopping Centre is a large out-of-town shopping mall located in Greenhithe in the borough of Dartford, just outside London in north-west Kent. ... , Dartford is the principal town in the borough of Dartford. ...

Rail

Main article: Gravesend railway station

Main article: Gravesend West Line

The remains of the West Street Pier

Gravesend railway station lies on the North Kent Line, and was opened in 1849. The Gravesend West Line, terminating by the river and for some time operating as a Continental ferry connection, closed in 1968. Gravesend railway station serves the town of Gravesend in north Kent; train services are operated by Southeastern. ... Gravesend railway station serves the town of Gravesend in north Kent; train services are operated by Southeastern. ... London Charing Cross Hungerford Bridge over Thames Former link to SWML across Waterloos concourse Waterloo SWML to the South West Waterloo East for Waterloo and Southwark Blackfriars Road Thameslink to Blackfriars BML, CML and Thameslink Southwark Depot Borough Market Junction to Cannon Street London Bridge Spa Road Closed 1915...

Gravesend is the closest major town to the new Ebbsfleet. Since December 2007, Eurostar services have run to Paris and Brussels from the station and their London St Pancras International station. Late 2009/ early 2010 will see the opening of the final stage of the channel tunnel rail link, with the 225 km/h domestic service operating to and from Gravesend and other parts of North and East Kent into London St Pancras station. This link will also provide services to Stratford station, in the heart of the London 2012 Olympics site. Ebbsfleet International railway station is a new railway station in Ebbsfleet, in the borough of Dartford, Kent. ... This article is about high-speed trains between London and Brussels / Paris. ... This article is about the capital of France. ... This article is about the settlement itself. ... St Pancras International is the terminus for Eurostar trains at St Pancras railway station, in the area of central London, between the new British Library building to the west and Kings Cross Station to the east. ... For other uses, see Kent (disambiguation). ... , Stratford, historically Stratford Langthorne, is a place in the London Borough of Newham in East London. ... The 2012 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXX Olympiad, will be held in London, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012. ...

Footpaths

The Saxon Shore Way, a long distance footpath, starts at Gravesend and traces the coast as it was in Roman times as far as Hastings, East Sussex; 163 miles (262 km) in total. The Wealdway also starts at the Town Pier, and proceeds almost due south over the Weald to Eastbourne in East Sussex where it links with South Downs Way, a distance of 80 miles (128 km). // Kent 802AD Kent - NASA satellite 2005 The Saxon Shore Way starts at Gravesend, Kent and traces the coast as it was in Roman times (note the changed coastline around Romney Marsh) as far as Hastings, East Sussex, 163 miles (262 km) in total. ... Long-distance trails (or long-distance tracks, paths, footpaths or greenways) are trails or footpaths covering large distances, typically 50 km or more, used for rambling (that is, hiking or backpacking). ... For other uses, see Roman Empire (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Hastings (disambiguation). ... East Sussex is a county in South East England. ... “Miles” redirects here. ... “km” redirects here. ... A weald once meant a dense forest, especially the famous great wood once stretching far beyond the ancient counties of Sussex and Kent, England, where this country of smaller woods is still called the Weald. ... For other places with the same name, see Eastbourne (disambiguation). ... Near Beachy Head The South Downs Way is a long-distance bridleway, running along the South Downs in southern England. ...

Religious buildings

Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Nov. 2007

The main Anglican parish church is the Georgian St George's. It is a tourist site as well as being the parish church, because of its connection with Pocahontas. There are also three other Church of England churches; and churches representing the following denominations: Roman Catholic ; Methodist; Baptist; and other smaller chapels. Guru Nanak (Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ, Devanagari: गुरु नानक) (20 October 1469 - 7 May 1539), the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Gurus of the Sikhs, was born in the village of Talwandi, now called Nankana Sahib, near Lahore in present-day Pakistan. ... The Church of England is the officially established Christian church[3] in England, the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the oldest among the communions thirty-eight independent national churches. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... The Methodist movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Baptist is...

The Sikh community have their current Gurdwara (temple) located in a one-time church on Clarence place. A new temple is currently being constructed at a new site which is due to open during the 2009 vaisakhi festival,^[13] Religions Sikhism Scriptures Guru Granth Sahib Languages English, Punjabi] A Sikh (English: or ; Punjabi: , , IPA: ) is an adherent to Sikhism. ... The Harimandir Sahib. ...

Education

In secondary education, Gravesend has the following schools: Gravesend Grammar School ^[14]; Gravesend Grammar School for Girls; St Johns Catholic Comprehensive School; Thamesview School and St George's Church of England School^[15]. There are also primary age schools, special schools and several independent schools^[16].

Health

Gravesend Hospital was opened in 1854, following the donation of a site by the Earl of Darnley in 1853; it had its origin on 2 December 1850, as a dispensary on the Milton road "to assist the really destitute poor of Gravesend and Milton and vicinities ... unable to pay for medical aid". By 1893, 4,699 such people had benefited by its presence. In 2004 the original building was demolished to make way for a new local health centre. The Earldom of Darnley has been created in both the Peerage of Scotland and the Peerage of Ireland. ... is the 336th day of the year (337th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the game, see: 1850 (board game) 1850 (MDCCCL) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday [1] of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

Sport

The Stonebridge Road soccer football ground in neighbouring Northfleet is home to Ebbsfleet United F.C.. The team changed their name from Gravesend and Northfleet Football Club in June 2007. Ebbsfleet is currently in the Conference National and are managed by ex-Coventry City F.C. defender Liam Daish; the club won the FA Trophy in May 2008. An agreement was reached for the MyFootballClub online community to purchase a 75% stake in the club in November 2007, and the takeover was completed early in 2008.^[17] Stonebridge Road is a multi-use stadium in Northfleet, England. ... Soccer redirects here. ... Location within the British Isles Northfleet as a name is derived from North creek (or inlet), and the settlement on the shore of the River Thames adjacent to Gravesend was known as Norfluet in the Domesday Book, and Northflet in 1201. ... Ebbsfleet United F.C. is an English football team currently playing in the Football Conference. ... Conference National (currently billed as the Blue Square Premier for sponsorship reasons) [1] is the top division of the Football Conference. ... Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, is an association football club based in Coventry, England. ... Liam Daish, (born September 23, 1968). ... The Football Association Challenge Trophy is an English football competition for clubs playing in the Football Conference, Southern League, Isthmian League, and Northern Premier League. ... MyFootballClub is a venture that aimed to register 50,000 football enthusiasts to form an Industrial and Provident Society which would purchase an English football club, with funds gathered from members of the society. ...

Rowing matches have been taking place on the river Thames at Gravesend since from at least the year of 1698^{[citation needed]}, and the first organized Regatta was in 1715. The first Borough Regatta began in 1882^{[citation needed]}, setting the pattern for an annual event on the Thames that is carried on to this day. The popularity of the early events have recently begun to return, thanks to much Borough Council publicity and the presence of a boathouse owned by Dartford's Cambria Sea Scouts.

Culture

The Gravesend Historical Society meets regularly and produces a biannual magazine on its activities.^[18]

Gravesend is briefly mentioned in two novels: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley during Victor's travels through the United Kingdom with Clerval; ultimately culminating in Victor's residence in the Orkney Islands; and also in the novel Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. This article is about the 1818 novel. ... Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (née Godwin) (30 August 1797 – 1 February 1851) was an English romantic/gothic novelist and the author of Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. ... The Orkney Islands, usually called simply Orkney, are one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. ... For other uses, see Heart of Darkness (disambiguation). ... // Joseph Conrad (born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski; 3 December 1857 – 3 August 1924) was a Polish-born English novelist. ...

The 1952 film "The Long Memory" starring John Mills was filmed in and around Gravesend. It features many squalid streets running down towards the river that even then were being progressively cleared for redevelopment. It is also possible to hear in the background steam engines working out of the Gravesend West Street terminus. All evidence of this station has now disappeared. The Long Memory is a 1952 film directed by Robert Hamer. ... John Mills as Professor Bernard Quatermass in the Thames Television science-fiction serial Quatermass (1979). ...

During the 1970s and early 1980s, the town was the home of a very successful youth marching band, the "Gravesham Corps of Drums" (latterly the "Gravesham Corps"). The band finished third in the British Championships in 1981. They had more success than a local rival, "North West Kent Drum and Bugle Corps" who were based in nearby Northfleet. Since 1992, Gravesend has been the home of one of Europe's most successful music performance groups, Black Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. ^[19]). Carrying on the tradition of the corps and bands that preceded them Black Knights have won numerous British Championships in its history and competed across Europe. An American college marching band on the field (Kansas State University) A marching band is a group of instrumental musicians who generally perform outdoors, and who incorporate movement â€“ usually some type of marching and other movements  â€“ with their musical performance. ...

In 1990, the ‘’4x4 Bangra’’ dance group was formed among the Sikh community. Since then it has become an internationally-renowned group ^[20] Bhangra (Punjabi: , بھنگڑا, ) is both a lively dance which is from the region of Punjab, now divided between North India and Pakistan, and the musical accompaniment to the dance. ...

Notable people

• Pocahontas (c1595-1617), the daughter of a Native American chief, was to become the first such American to visit England. After marrying a colonist in America, James Rolfe, she later sailed with him to England, with their infant son, Thomas, where she was received at the court in London by Queen Anne and was feted as a celebrity. On their return voyage, seven months later, she was taken ill and died ashore in Gravesend at the age of 22. She was then buried in the parish churchyard of St George's; the exact location of her grave is unknown, due to a church fire and subsequent reconstruction in the early 18th century.

Khartoum place in Gravesend

• The composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) was an officer in the Russian Navy and was posted to Gravesend in 1862, where he wrote part of his first symphony, said to be the first such style of composition attempted by a Russian composer.

• Gravesend is associated with General Gordon (1833–1885), who lived in the town during the construction of the Thames forts. For six years he devoted himself to the welfare of the town's "poor boys", establishing a Sunday school and providing food and clothes for them from his Army wage. In command of the Royal Engineers from 1865 to 1871, he was responsible for the forts that guard the Thames downstream from Gravesend, New Tavern Fort in the town, Shornemead Fort on the south bank, and Coalhouse Fort on the north. His links with Gravesend are commemorated locally by the embankment of the Riverside Leisure Area, which is known as the Gordon Promenade, and Khartoum Place that lies just to the south.

• Thom Gunn (1929-2004), poet, was born in Gravesend.

A 1616 engraving of Pocahontas by Simone van de Passe. ... This article is about the people indigenous to the United States and their history after European contact, chiefly in what is now the United States. ... Anne (6 February 1665 – 1 August 1714) became Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702, succeeding William III of England and II of Scotland. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Khartoum_place. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Khartoum_place. ... Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov (Russian: , Nikolaj Andreevič Rimskij-Korsakov), also Nikolay, Nicolai, and Rimsky-Korsakoff, (March 6 (N.S. March 18), 1844 – June 8 (N.S. June 21) 1908) was a Russian composer, one of five Russian composers known as The Five, and was later a... Chinese Gordon as Governor of Sudan Major-General Charles George Gordon, CB (28 January 1833 – 26 January 1885), known as Chinese Gordon, Gordon Pasha, and Gordon of Khartoum, was a British army officer and administrator. ... New Tavern Fort was built at Gravesend, Kent in the 1780s against the threat of invasion from France. ... Shornemead Fort (also spelt Shornmead) is a gun battery orginally dating from the 1790s, built to support New Tavern Fort at Gravesend, Kent. ... Coalhouse Fort is a large casemated fort near Tilbury, Essex, 4 miles downstream from Tilbury Fort. ... Thom Gunn (August 29, 1929 - April 25, 2004) was a British poet. ...

Twin towns

• Neumünster, Germany
• Cambrai, France
• Chesterfield, Virginia, United States

Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... Neumünster is one of four independent towns in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Cambrai (Dutch: Kamerijk) is a French city and commune, in the Nord département, of which it is a sous_préfecture. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Chesterfield, Virginia is a city whose plat contains the government offices of Chesterfield County, Virginia. ...

References

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