Gravesham has an enduring maritime heritage, with a fascinating cluster of historic defences that have been a feature of the Lower Thames and its estuary since the Iron Age.
For history like this, Gravesham has it all with the sites listed here shining a fascinating light on how Britain protected its shores over the centuries, and its importance as a strategic port: thanks to the important location of Gravesend and Northfleet on the route between London and the Channel Ports.
This stretch of the river Thames is a key place in celebrations to mark Windrush Day, with the 75th anniversary celebrated in 2023 of the arrival of HMT Empire at Tilbury Docks. Reminders of the borough’s industrial past can be found in Northfleet, an industrial hub at the height of Empire in the 19th century famous for gun flint manufacturing.
Henley’s, now AEI, were among Northfleet’s largest employers. This cableworks occupied land once used by the Rosherville Pleasure Gardens. The PLUTO oil pipeline used in the Second World War to support the D-Day landings was built here.
Lakes formed from old chalk pits of Portland Cement that powered a global construction revolution, to quaysides of old shipyards and revived brewing traditions at Iron Pier Brewery – and names like Cable Quay, the name of the residential quarter where Henley’s once stood – continue the legacy.
No visit to Gravesham is complete without taking the Crossfire Trail between New Tavern Fort and Tilbury Fort to appreciate the thinking that lay behind these defences – a walk through the different technologies and approaches put in place for an enemy attack, that more often than not, never came.
Walks like this are a great way to discover Gravesham and immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the area. With 8.6miles of public footpaths including stunning stretches of the Weald Way, North Downs Way and the Saxon Shore Way, this is a great spot for a day out with family, friends (and the dog). There’s Sustrans National Cycle Route 1 too.
Read on for some of the highlights to plan for when you visit.
Gravesend’s Tudor Blockhouse
This artillery fortification was built on the orders of King Henry VIII in response to fear of invasion from European rivals of the time. Operational by 1540, the two storey D-shaped gun tower complemented Tilbury Fort across the river. It was repaired in 1588 the year of the Spanish Armada, and again in 1667 when the Dutch navy raided the Thames.
New Tavern and Shornemead Forts
These defences were constructed against the threat of foreign invasion and to protect the river route to London.
New Tavern Fort, Gravesend was built during the American War of Independence. There were fears at the time of the potential for attacks by France and Spain in support of the United States. While no invasion took place, it retained an active defensive role until the Second World War.
Shornemead Fort was built in the 1860s to guard the entrance to the Thames from the French, during a time of high tension. Its strategic location provided long views up and down the river. Decommissioned in the 1950s, only the casemates and magazines survive thanks to the site being used to hone the demolition skills of the Royal Engineers.
Nuclear protection
The Cold War bunker in Woodlands Park, Gravesend is a compelling example of the steps taken in the middle of the 20th Century when the fear of nuclear war was at its height.
The underground command post, built in 1954, would have co-ordinated civil defence in the event of a nuclear attack. Tours of the facility can be booked throughout the year, with the bunker refurbished and re-equipped to look as it would have done when it first opened.
Visit Gravesham Gravesham Borough Council Civic Centre, Windmill Street Gravesend DA12 1AU 01474 337600 visits.gravesend@gravesham.gov.uk