Things to do in Chatham, Kent
Although the dockyard has long since closed, the area has been redeveloped as a residential and business community with the naval buildings providing some interesting attractions in this historic area.
It was adopted by the Romans, paved and called Watling Street. Historic finds around Chatham include a Roman cemetery.
Chatham remained a small village until the 16th century when its interesting location close to the continent led to it being chosen to accommodate the Royal Dockyard.
In its heyday it employed thousands of men, building and refitting such ships as HMS Victory. Records go back to 1646 and cover thousands of historic ships.
Of course, such an important centre had to be defended and several forts were built in the area including Upnor Castle, Fort Amherst, Fort Pitt, Fort Luton and Fort Borstal among others.
In response to the demand for labour, Chatham grew enormously to accommodate the workers with trams and buses transporting them from far and wide.
Recognising the significance of the Historic Dockyard, the buildings are a World Heritage Site although the surrounding area has been redeveloped.
One interesting piece of history is the ornate President's desk which sits in the Oval Office of the White House. It was made at Chatham Dockyard from wood from the British Arctic Ship Resolute and was a gift from Queen Victoria to President Rutherford B. Hayes.
Present Day Chatham
Chatham expanded from a market town of 16,000 in 1831 to 48,800 by 1961. Latest figures show it has a population of over 70,000, despite high unemployment in the area with the closure of the dockyard.
The Town Hall was built in 1900 and is now used as an art centre and theatre in the town centre.
The slang term "chav", used for a youngster, came from Chatham and was derived from the abbreviated term of "Chatham Average".
Things to do in Chatham
Chatham Historic Dockyard is a maritime museum full of artifacts and vessels including masts and rigging from the Cutty Sark while the hull is being restored elsewhere.
It includes three historic warships, a Victorian ropery, a recreation of an 18th century shipyard around the construction of HMS Valiant, a RNLI Lifeboat Museum, a slipway and a gallery of paintings and model ships.
Other non-nautical attractions around Chatham are Hever Castle, once the home of Anne Boleyn and historic Cobham Hall.
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Days Out in Chatham
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Chatham Dockyard Historical Society (1 Mile)*
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Cobham Hall (5 Miles)*
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Kent Life (6 Miles)*
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Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery (7 Miles)*
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Dolphin Yard Sailing Barge Museum (9 Miles)*
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Leeds Castle (10 Miles)*
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Great Comp Garden (10 Miles)*
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Boughton Monchelsea Place (11 Miles)*
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Doddington Place Gardens (12 Miles)*
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Ightham Mote (14 Miles)*
Places to Visit near Chatham
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Rochester (1 Mile)*
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High Halstow (4 Miles)*
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Maidstone (7 Miles)*
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Meopham (7 Miles)*
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Gravesend (8 Miles)*
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Isle of Grain (8 Miles)*
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Sittingbourne (9 Miles)*
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Queenborough (9 Miles)*
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Minster (12 Miles)*
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Southend (12 Miles)*
Also near Chatham |
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