Gillingham Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Town

Facts and practical information

Gillingham, a charming town located in the heart of the England region, offers a delightful blend of history, natural beauty, and modern amenities. Nestled along the River Medway, Gillingham is a haven for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

One of the town's main attractions is the beautiful Riverside Country Park. This expansive park covers over 100 hectares of land, featuring picturesque walking trails, serene lakes, and abundant wildlife. Whether you're strolling along the riverbank, enjoying a picnic amidst the lush greenery, or spotting rare bird species, Riverside Country Park offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

For history enthusiasts, Gillingham has a rich heritage to explore. The town is home to the Royal Engineers Museum, which showcases the fascinating history of the British Army's Corps of Royal Engineers. Discover their significant contributions to engineering and technology through interactive exhibits, historical artifacts, and immersive displays.

Gillingham's historic Dockyard Church is another must-visit landmark. Originally built in the 11th century, this magnificent church has witnessed centuries of history and is steeped in architectural beauty. Take a moment to soak in the tranquility of the surroundings and admire the intricate stained glass windows that depict scenes from the town's past.

When it comes to dining, Gillingham offers a range of culinary delights to satisfy all tastes. From traditional British pubs serving hearty meals to international eateries offering diverse cuisines, there is something for everyone. Indulge in freshly caught seafood, savor local delicacies, or enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea in one of the town's charming cafes.

For those seeking a bit of retail therapy, Gillingham has a vibrant town center with a mix of high street stores, independent boutiques, and lively markets. Explore the bustling streets, browse through unique shops, and immerse yourself in the friendly atmosphere of a traditional English market town.

Alternative names: Population: 101.2 thous.Elevation: 157 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 51°23'15"N, 0°32'9"E

Location

EnglandUnited Kingdom

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Gillingham Top Attractions

Gillingham Attractions - What to See and Explore

Gillingham offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Rochester Cathedral, Rochester Castle, Upnor Castle, The Historic Dockyard Chatham. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Norman edifice with a 14th-century door
Rochester Cathedral
Rochester Cathedral, a beacon of English heritage and a testament to architectural grandeur, stands proudly in the heart of Rochester, England. This magnificent cathedral, which dates back to 604 AD, is not just the second oldest in England but also an enduring symbol...
Historic Norman edifice
Rochester Castle
Standing proudly above the River Medway in Kent, Rochester Castle is an imposing medieval fortress that has been a sentinel over the ancient city of Rochester for centuries. With its origins dating back to the 1080s, this castle in Rochester, England, is steeped in...
Museum • Military museum • Forts and castles
Upnor Castle
Upnor Castle is an Elizabethan artillery fort located on the west bank of the River Medway in Kent. It is in the village of Upnor, opposite and a short distance downriver from the Chatham Dockyard, at one time a key naval facility.

Museum • Specialty museum
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Chatham Historic Dockyard is a maritime museum on part of the site of the former royal/naval dockyard at Chatham in Kent, South East England. Chatham Dockyard covered 400 acres and was one of the Royal Navy's main facilities for several hundred years until it was closed in 1984. After closure the dockyard was divided into three sections.
Arenas and stadiums • Football • Sport
Priestfield Stadium
Priestfield Stadium is a football stadium in Gillingham, Kent. It has been the home of Gillingham Football Club since the club's formation in 1893, and was also the temporary home of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club for two seasons during the 1990s.
Church
St Nicholas Church
St Nicholas Church is a former parish church in Rochester, Kent, England, next to Rochester Cathedral. It is now the offices of the Board of Education of the Diocese of Rochester. It is a Grade I listed building.
Entertainment • Forts and castles • Vernacular architecture
Cooling Castle
Cooling Castle is a 14th-century quadrangular castle in the village of Cooling, Kent on the Hoo Peninsula about 6 miles north of Rochester.
Museum • History museum
Eastgate House
Eastgate House is a Grade I listed Elizabethan townhouse in Rochester, Kent, England. It is notable for its association with author Charles Dickens, featuring as Westgate in The Pickwick Papers and as the Nun's House in The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
Museum • Military museum • Military base
Fort Amherst
Fort Amherst, in Medway, South East England, was constructed in 1756 at the southern end of the Brompton lines of defence to protect the southeastern approaches to Chatham Dockyard and the River Medway against a French invasion.
Park • Grange
Riverside Country Park
Riverside Country Park is a large coastal public park, situated alongside the River Medway estuary between Gillingham and Rainham. The park covers about 100 hectares - approximately 247 acres.
Bridge
Rochester Bridge
Rochester Bridge in Rochester, Medway was for centuries the lowest fixed crossing of the River Medway in South East England.
Memorial • Cemetery • Sculpture
Chatham Naval Memorial
Chatham Naval Memorial is a large obelisk situated in the town of Chatham, Kent, which is in the Medway Towns. The memorial is a feature of the Great Lines Heritage Park.
Museum • Specialty museum • History museum
Rochester Guildhall
The Rochester Guildhall is an historic building located in the High Street in Rochester, Kent, England. It is a Grade I listed building.
Museum • Historical place • History museum
Restoration House
Restoration House in Rochester, Kent in England, is a fine example of an Elizabethan mansion. It is so named after the visit of King Charles II on the eve of his restoration.
Museum • Military museum • History museum
Royal Engineers Museum
The Royal Engineers Museum, Library and Archive is a military engineering museum and library in Gillingham, Kent. It tells the story of the Corps of Royal Engineers and British military engineering in general.
Church
St. Margaret's Church
St Margaret's Church, Rochester is now a Chapel of Ease within the parish of St Peter with St Margaret, Rochester. Previously it was the parish church of St Margaret's Without. Thorpe records it as having previously been called St Margaret's in Suthgate. The building is a Grade II* listed building, English Heritage number 173172.
Museum • Brompton
Kent Police Museum
The Kent Police Museum is located at Faversham Police Station in Kent, England. The museum was previously located within Chatham Dockyard. In September 2015 it relocated to temporary accommodation at the Kent Police Headquarters in Maidstone, and moved to Faversham on 8 Dec 2016.
Forts and castles
Fort Darnet
Fort Darnet, is a nineteenth-century military installation on the River Medway in Kent, England, that formed part of the defences of Chatham Naval Dockyard.
Forest
Tower Hill to Cockham Wood
Tower Hill to Cockham Wood is a 47.8-hectare biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest on the northern outskirts of Rochester in Kent. It contains two Geological Conservation Review sites.

Things to See and Do in Gillingham by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Gillingham.

Shopping

Pentagon Shopping Centre
Chatham, Gillingham
ShoppingShopping centreChatham Town Centre
Dockside Outlet Centre
Chatham, Gillingham
ShoppingShopping centreOutlet mall
Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre
Hampstead and Wigmore, Gillingham
ShoppingShopping centre

Active

Priestfield Stadium
Gillingham
Arenas and stadiumsFootballSport
Chatham Golf Range
Luton and Wayfield, Gillingham
Golf
Garrison Stadium
Chatham, Gillingham
Sport venueSportBrompton

Forts and castles

Rochester Castle
Rochester West, GillinghamHistoric Norman edifice
Romanesque architectureForts and castles
Upnor Castle
Frindsbury Extra, Gillingham
MuseumMilitary museumForts and castles
Cooling Castle
Hoo Peninsula, Gillingham
EntertainmentForts and castlesVernacular architecture
Fort Amherst
Chatham, Gillingham
MuseumMilitary museumMilitary baseChatham Town Centre
Fort Darnet
Gillingham
Forts and castles

Show all

Museum

Upnor Castle
Frindsbury Extra, Gillingham
MuseumMilitary museumForts and castles
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Chatham, Gillingham
MuseumSpecialty museumBrompton
Eastgate House
Rochester West, Gillingham
MuseumHistory museum
Fort Amherst
Chatham, Gillingham
MuseumMilitary museumMilitary baseChatham Town Centre
Rochester Guildhall
Rochester West, Gillingham
MuseumSpecialty museumHistory museum

Show all

Church

Rochester Cathedral
Rochester West, GillinghamNorman edifice with a 14th-century door
Romanesque architectureChurch
St Nicholas Church
Rochester West, Gillingham
Church
St. Margaret's Church
Rochester West, Gillingham
Church
St Michael's
Gillingham
Romanesque architectureChurchRomanesque revival architectureChatham Central
St George's Chapel
Chatham, Gillingham
ChurchBrompton

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Park

Riverside Country Park
Gillingham
ParkGrange
Capstone Farm Country Park
Lordswood and Capstone, Gillingham
Park
Darland Banks
Hampstead and Wigmore, Gillingham
Park
Ambley Wood
Hampstead and Wigmore, Gillingham
Park
Burham Down
Gillingham
Park

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Military museum

Upnor Castle
Frindsbury Extra, Gillingham
MuseumMilitary museumForts and castles
Fort Amherst
Chatham, Gillingham
MuseumMilitary museumMilitary baseChatham Town Centre
Royal Engineers Museum
Chatham, Gillingham
MuseumMilitary museumHistory museumBrompton
HMS Cavalier
Chatham, Gillingham
MuseumMilitary museumHistory museumBrompton

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Other categories

History museum Historical place

Day trips

Gillingham – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Gillingham, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Leeds Castle (Maidstone), Sissinghurst Castle Garden (Cranbrook), Wentworth Club.

10 milesSE
Historic landmark with a moat and maze
Leeds Castle, Maidstone
Leeds Castle, often referred to as "the loveliest castle in the world," is a quintessential historical attraction nestled in the charming countryside of Maidstone, Kent, in England. This impressive stone fortress, surrounded by a picturesque moat and set within acres...
19 milesS
Park, Garden, Historical place
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Cranbrook
Nestled in the quaint town of Cranbrook in the United Kingdom, Sissinghurst Castle Garden is a horticultural masterpiece that beckons garden enthusiasts and tourists alike. This renowned garden in England is celebrated for its romantic design, vibrant floral displays...
49 milesW
Golf
Wentworth Club
Nestled in the verdant Surrey countryside, Wentworth Club stands as an emblem of British golfing heritage. This exclusive golf course, with its meticulously manicured greens and fairways, has been a fixture of the United Kingdom's sporting landscape since its...
37 milesE
Golf
Princes Golf Club
Princes Golf Club, nestled in the charming county of Kent in the United Kingdom, is a true haven for golf enthusiasts. This prestigious golf course, with its rich history and stunning coastal setting, offers golfers of all levels a challenging and enjoyable experience.
13 milesNE
Game and entertainment center, Sport venue, Architecture
Kursaal, Southend
The Kursaal is a landmark of Southend-on-Sea, a seaside resort town in the United Kingdom. Once boasting one of the world's first purpose-built amusement parks, the Kursaal was opened in 1901 as a glittering hub of entertainment and leisure.

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Best Time To Visit Gillingham

Learn when is the best time to travel to Gillingham weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

JFMAMJJASOND

June and July are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in August.

Average temperatures in °F

JFMAMJJASOND

The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.

Monthly rainfall in inches

JFMAMJJASOND

The lowest rainfall is recorded in February, April and July. Most of it rains in January, October, November and December.

Length of day in hours

JFMAMJJASOND

We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Gillingham?

The top attractions to visit in Gillingham are:

What is the best time to visit Gillingham?

June and July are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in August. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.