Editing Gravesend

{{short description|Town in Kent, England}}
{{about|the town in Kent, England}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{infobox UK place
| country = England
| type = Town
| official_name = Gravesend
| coordinates = {{coord|51.4415|0.3685|display=inline,title}}
| population = 58,102
| population_ref = <ref>Census, 2021</ref>
| shire_district = [[Gravesham]]
| shire_county = [[Kent]]
| region = South East England
| constituency_westminster = [[Gravesham (UK Parliament constituency)|Gravesham]]
| post_town = GRAVESEND
| postcode_district = DA11, DA12
| postcode_area = DA
| dial_code = 01474
| os_grid_reference = TQ647740
| static_image_name = Junction New Street & Windmill Street (geograph 1489805).jpg
| static_image_caption = New Road, Gravesend, in 2009
| static_image_2_name = Arms-kent.jpg
| static_image_2_width = 75px
| static_image_2_caption = [[Kent]] [[coat of arms]]
}}
'''Gravesend''' {{IPAc-en|ˌ|ɡ|r|eɪ|v|z|ˈ|ɛ|n|d}} is a town in northwest [[Kent]], England, situated 21 miles (35&nbsp;km) east-southeast of [[Charing Cross]] (central London) on the [[Bank (geography)|south bank]] of the [[River Thames]], opposite [[Tilbury]] in [[Essex]]. Located in the [[diocese of Rochester]], it is the administrative centre of the borough of [[Gravesham]]. Gravesend marks the eastern limit of the [[Greater London Built-up Area]], as defined by the UK [[Office for National Statistics]]. It had a population of 58,102 in 2021.

Its geographical situation has given Gravesend strategic importance throughout the [[maritime history|maritime]] and [[History of communication|communications history]] of [[South East England]]. A [[Thames Gateway]] [[commuter town]], it retains strong links with the River Thames, not least through the [[Port of London Authority]] Pilot Station, and has witnessed rejuvenation since the advent of [[High Speed 1]] rail services via [[Gravesend railway station]]. The station was recently refurbished{{When|date=January 2024}} and has a new bridge.

==Name==
[[File:Gravesend Town Hall-geograph.org-3552497.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Gravesend Town Hall]]]]
Recorded as [[Gravesham]] in the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 when it belonged to [[Odo, Earl of Kent]] and [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Bayeux|Bishop of Bayeux]], the half-brother of [[William the Conqueror]], its name probably derives from ''graaf-ham'': the home of the [[sheriff|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".<ref>[[Paul Theroux]]'s report that "the town bore the name of Gravesend because east of it, the dead had to be buried at sea", is unsupported (Theroux, ''The Kingdom by the Sea'' 1983:19).</ref> Frank Carr<ref>{{cite book|first=Frank|last=Carr|title=Sailing Barges|date=1939|publisher=Terence Dalton Ltd, Suffolk, UK}}</ref> asserts that the name derives from the Saxon ''Gerevesend'', the end of the authority of the [[Portreeve]] (originally ''Portgereve'', chief town administrator).

In the [[Netherlands]], a place called [['s-Gravenzande]] is found with its name translating into "Sand (or sandy area) belonging to the Count". The ''{{'}}s'' is a contraction of the old Dutch genitive article ''des'', and translates into plain English as ''of the''. In [[Brooklyn, New York]], the neighbourhood of [[Gravesend, Brooklyn|Gravesend]] is said by some to have been named for 's-Gravenzande,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forgotten-ny.com/2000/05/gravesend-brooklyn/|title=Gravesend, Brooklyn – Forgotten New York|date=22 May 2000|access-date=4 May 2016|archive-date=2 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502080607/http://forgotten-ny.com/2000/05/gravesend-brooklyn/|url-status=live}}</ref> though its founding by the English religious dissenter [[Deborah Moody|Lady Deborah Moody]] in 1645 suggests that it may be named after Gravesend, England. Lady Deborah was originally from London and is credited with being the first woman to found a settlement in the New World.

The Domesday spelling is its earliest known historical record;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/283 |title=History of Gravesend, in Gravesham and Kent &#124; Map and description |website=Visionofbritain.org.uk |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035842/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/283 |url-status=live }}</ref> all other spellings – in the later (c. 1100) Domesday ''Monachorum'' and in ''Textus Roffensis'' the town is ''Gravesend'' and ''Gravesende'', respectively. The variation ''Graveshend'' can be seen in a court record of 1422, where [[Langford, Bedfordshire|Edmund de Langeford]] was [[parson]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT1/H6/CP40no647/bCP40no647dorses/IMG_0499.htm |title=AALT Page |website=Aalt.law.uh.edu |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223547/http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT1/H6/CP40no647/bCP40no647dorses/IMG_0499.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and attributed to where the graves ended after the [[Black Death]]. The municipal title Gravesham was formally adopted in 1974 as the name for the new [[municipality|borough]].<ref name=Hiscock>{{cite book|first = Robert H|last = Hiscock|year = 1976|title = 'A History of Gravesend|publisher = Phillimore & Co Ltd|location = London}}</ref>

==History==
[[Stone Age]] implements have been found in the locality since the 1900s, as has evidence of an [[Iron Age]] settlement at nearby [[Springhead]]. Extensive [[Roman Britain|Roman]] remains have been found at nearby [[Springhead, Kent|Vagniacae]], and Gravesend lies immediately to the north of the [[Roman road]] connecting London with the Kent coast – now called [[Watling Street]]. [[Domesday Book]] recorded [[Watermill|mill]]s, [[wikt:hythe|hythes]], and [[fishery|fisheries]] here.<ref>''The Book of Gravesham'', Sydney Harker 1979 ISBN o-86023-091-0</ref>

[[File:Milton Chantry.jpg|thumb|Milton Chantry, built {{circa}} 1320]]

[[Milton Chantry]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discovergravesham.co.uk/gravesend/the-chantry.html|title=The Chantry|publisher=Gravesham Borough Council|access-date=27 March 2017|archive-date=10 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210230443/http://www.discovergravesham.co.uk/gravesend/the-chantry.html|url-status=live}}</ref> is Gravesend's oldest surviving building and dates from the early 14th century. It was refounded as a [[chapel]] in 1320/21 on the original site of a former [[leper]] hospital founded in 1189. It is a [[Grade II*]] listed building.<ref>{{NHLE|desc=Milton Chantry|num= 1089047 |access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref>

Gravesend has one of the oldest surviving [[Marketplace|market]]s in the country. Its earliest charter dates from 1268, with town status being granted to the two parishes of [[St George's Church, Gravesend|Gravesend]] and [[Milton-next-Gravesend|Milton]] by [[Henry III of England|King Henry III]] in its Charter of Incorporation of that year. The first mayor of Gravesend was elected in 1268 but the first town hall was not built until 1573. The current [[Gravesend Town Hall]] was completed in 1764: although it ceased to operate as a seat of government in 1968 when the new [[Gravesham Civic Centre]] was opened, it remained in use as a [[magistrates' court]] until 2000. It now operates as a venue for weddings and civil partnership ceremonies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oldtownhallgravesend.co.uk/history/|title=History|publisher=Old Town Hall, Gravesend|access-date= 6 March 2021}}</ref>

During the [[Hundred Years' War]], Gravesend [[Castilian attack on Gravesend|was raided]] by a [[Kingdom of Castile|Castilian]] [[Naval fleet|fleet]] in 1380.<ref>https://alondoninheritance.com/the-thames/defending-thames-hadleigh-castle/ See paragraph 10.</ref>

In 1401, a further [[royal charter]] was granted, allowing the men of the town to operate boats between [[City of London|London]] and the town; these became known as the "Long Ferry". It became the preferred form of passage, because of the perils of road travel (see below).

On Gravesend's river front are the remains of a [[device fort]] built by command of [[Henry VIII of England|King Henry VIII]] in 1543.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/myads/copyrights?from=2f6172636869766544532f61726368697665446f776e6c6f61643f743d617263682d3435392d312f64697373656d696e6174696f6e2f7064662f477261766573656e642e706466 |title=myADS |publisher=Archaeology Data Service |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=18 December 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141218010540/http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/myads/copyrights?from=2f6172636869766544532f61726368697665446f776e6c6f61643f743d617263682d3435392d312f64697373656d696e6174696f6e2f7064662f477261766573656e642e706466 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:St Georges Church.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Pocahontas]] statue outside <br />[[St George's Church, Gravesend|St George, Gravesend]]]]
In March 1617, [[John Rolfe]] and his Native American wife Rebecca ([[Pocahontas]]), with their two-year-old son, [[Thomas Rolfe|Thomas]], boarded a ship in London bound for [[Virginia|the Commonwealth of Virginia]];<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.layston-church.org.uk/Rolfe%20Family%20History/Rolfe%20Family%20History.html |title=Layston Church |publisher=Layston Church |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305032655/http://www.layston-church.org.uk/Rolfe%20Family%20History/Rolfe%20Family%20History.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the ship had only sailed as far as Gravesend before Rebecca fell ill,<ref>Price, ''Love and Hate''. p. 182.</ref> and she died shortly after she was taken ashore. It is not known what caused her death.<ref>Dr. Linwood "Little Bear" Custalow and Angela L. Danieal "Silver Star", ''[[The True Story of Pocahontas: The Other Side of History]]''</ref> Her funeral and interment took place on 21 March 1617 at the [[parish church]] of [[St George's Church, Gravesend|St George, Gravesend]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cityark.medway.gov.uk/gallery/|title=Entry in the Gravesend St. George composite parish register recording the burial of Princess Pocahontas on 21 March 1616/1617|work=Medway: City Ark Document Gallery|publisher=Medway Council|access-date=17 September 2009|archive-date=5 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805091229/http://cityark.medway.gov.uk/gallery/|url-status=live}}</ref> The site of her grave was underneath the church's [[chancel]], though since the previous church was destroyed by fire in 1727 her exact resting place is unknown.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pocahontas|url=http://www.stgeorgesgravesend.org.uk/history/pocahontas1.php|publisher=St. George's, Gravesend|access-date=31 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213113930/http://www.stgeorgesgravesend.org.uk/history/pocahontas1.php|archive-date=13 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Thomas Rolfe survived, but was placed under the supervision of [[Lewis Stukley|Sir Lewis Stukley]] at [[Plymouth]], before being sent to his uncle, Henry Rolfe whilst John Rolfe and his late wife's assistant [[Tomocomo]] reached America under the captaincy of [[Samuel Argall|Sir Samuel Argall]]'s ship. Pocahontas (real name: Matoaka) is an important figure in both American and British history.

[[File:New Tavern Fort, Gravesend Kent UK.JPG|thumb|Interior of New Tavern Fort]]
At Fort Gardens<ref>{{cite web |author=Gordon Gardens |url=http://www.gogravesham.co.uk/thedms.aspx?dms=3&venue=3093772 |title=Gordon Gardens &#124; Garden &#124; Gravesend&#124;Kent |website=Gogravesham.co.uk |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025911/http://www.gogravesham.co.uk/thedms.aspx?dms=3&venue=3093772 |url-status=live }}</ref> is the New Tavern Fort,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitkent.co.uk/attractions/new-tavern-fort/10662 |title=New Tavern Fort |website=Visitkent.co.uk |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305221203/http://www.visitkent.co.uk/attractions/new-tavern-fort/10662 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> built during the 1780s and extensively rebuilt by [[Charles George Gordon|Major-General Charles Gordon]] between 1865 and 1879; it is now the [[Milton Chantry|Chantry Heritage Centre]], under the care of [[English local history|Gravesend Local History Society]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gravesham.gov.uk/index.jsp?articleid=960|title=The New Tavern Fort|access-date=28 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205042930/http://www.gravesham.gov.uk/index.jsp?articleid=960 |archive-date=5 February 2012 }}</ref> The fort is a [[scheduled monument]].<ref>{{NHLE|desc=New Tavern Fort, Gravesend, including Milton Chantry|num= 1013658 |access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref>

Journeys by road to Gravesend were historically quite hazardous, since the main [[Transport in Kent|London-Dover road]] crossed [[Blackheath, London|Blackheath]], notorious for its [[highwaymen]]. [[Stagecoach]]es 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 on what is now Old Road East: ''the Prince of Orange'' and ''the Lord Nelson''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pubshistory.com/KentPubs/Gravesend/gravesend.shtml |title=Public Houses, Inns & Taverns of Gravesend, Kent – A listing of historical public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels in Gravesend, Kent |website=Pubshistory.com |date=17 May 2015 |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093831/http://pubshistory.com/KentPubs/Gravesend/gravesend.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Post coach]]es had been plying the route for at least two centuries: [[Samuel Pepys]] records having stopped off at Gravesend in 1650 en route to the Royal Dockyards at Chatham.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/samuel_pepys.htm |title=Samuel Pepys |publisher=History Learning Site |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=14 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414094655/http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/samuel_pepys.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

A permanent military presence was established in the town when [[Milton Barracks]] opened in 1862.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pastscape.org/hob.aspx?hob_id=1482531&sort=4&search=all&criteria=temple%20cornwall&rational=q&recordsperpage=10&p=1&move=n&nor=13&recfc=0|title=Milton Barracks|publisher=Pastscape|date=8 March 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309052404/http://www.pastscape.org/hob.aspx?hob_id=1482531&sort=4&search=all&criteria=temple%20cornwall&rational=q&recordsperpage=10&p=1&move=n&nor=13&recfc=0|archive-date=9 March 2016}}</ref>

Although much of the town's economy continued to be connected with maritime trade, since the 19th century other major employers have been the cement and paper industries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kenttodayandyesterday.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/demolition-of-blue-circle-lafarge.html |title=Kent Today & Yesterday: Demolition of Blue Circle / Lafarge Cement Works Northfleet |website=Kenttodayandyesterday.blogspot.co.uk |date=27 March 2010 |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124348/http://kenttodayandyesterday.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/demolition-of-blue-circle-lafarge.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Gravesendmap 1946.jpg|thumb|right|A map of Gravesend, from 1946]]
From 1932 to 1956, an airport was located to the east of the town. On Sunday 5 February 1939, [[Alex Henshaw]] commenced his record-breaking flight to [[Cape Town]] and back from here. He completed the flight in 39 hours 36 minutes over the next four days; his record still stands. Originally a civilian [[airfield]], during World War II it became a fighter station, [[RAF Gravesend]], and so Gravesend was heavily bombed by the [[Luftwaffe]]. In 1956 the site was taken over by Gravesend Borough Council; a large housing estate, known as Riverview Park, was built on its site.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.about-gravesend.co.uk/ |title=Gravesend Past and Present |website=About-gravesend.co.uk |date=5 May 2009 |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165359/http://www.about-gravesend.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Governance==
Gravesend is the principal town of the Borough of Gravesham.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gravesham.gov.uk |title=Home – Gravesham Borough Council |website=Gravesham.gov.uk |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=27 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327234118/http://www.gravesham.gov.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The borough was formed on 1 April 1974, under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], by the merger of the [[Municipal Borough of Gravesend]] and [[Northfleet#Governance|Northfleet Urban District]] along with several parishes from Strood Rural District. Gravesend was incorporated as a Municipal Borough in 1835 under the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]] and Northfleet was constituted an Urban District in 1894 under the [[Local Government Act 1894]]: Gravesend absorbed Milton (1914), Denton, Chalk and part of Northfleet, including Claphall, Singlewell and King's Farm (1935).

==Geography==
Gravesend is located at a point where the higher land – the lowest point of the [[dip slope]] of the [[North Downs]] – reaches the Thames. To the east are the low-lying Shorne Marshes; to the west, beyond [[Northfleet]] and the Swanscombe Marshes. The settlement was thus established as it was a good [[port|landing place]]: it was also sheltered by the prominent height of what is now called [[Windmill Hill, Kent|Windmill Hill]] (''see Landmarks below''); although Windmill Hill still remains a dominant feature, Gravesend's highest point is actually further inland at Marling Cross, adjacent to the [[A2 road (Great Britain)|A2]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://webapps.kent.gov.uk/KCC.Libraries.Web.Sites.Public/LibraryDetails.aspx?aid=0&lid=47&uprn=100062312706 |title=Library details |website=Webapps.kent.gov.uk |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306194021/http://webapps.kent.gov.uk/KCC.Libraries.Web.Sites.Public/LibraryDetails.aspx?aid=0&lid=47&uprn=100062312706 |url-status=live }}</ref>

From its origins as a landing place and [[port|shipping port]], Gravesend gradually extended southwards and eastwards. Better-off people from London visited 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 World War II, when many of the housing estates in the locality were built.<ref>Harker ibid</ref>

Gravesend's built-up areas comprise ''Painters Ash'', adjacent to the A2; ''King's Farm'' (most of King's Farm estate was built in the 1920s); and ''Christianfields''. The latter housing estate was completely rebuilt in a 6-year project from 2007 to 2013. There is also the aforementioned Riverview Park estate built on the old RAF field in the south-east, in the 1960s, and Singlewell, which is adjacent to the A2 in the South

Part of the southern built-up area of the town was originally two separate rural parishes: ''viz'', [[Cobham, Kent|Cobham]] and [[Northfleet]].

==Climate==
Gravesend has an [[oceanic climate]] similar to much of southern England, being accorded [[Köppen Climate Classification|Köppen Climate Classification-subtype]] of "[[Oceanic climate|Cfb]]" (Marine West Coast Climate).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=68730&cityname=Gravesend%2C+England%2C+United+Kingdom&units= |title=Gravesend, England Köppen Climate Classification |website=Weatherbase.com |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043222/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=68730&cityname=Gravesend,+England,+United+Kingdom&units= |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 10 August 2003, Gravesend recorded one of the highest temperatures since records began in the United Kingdom, with a reading of {{convert|38.1|C}},<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/10/newsid_3910000/3910801.stm |title=BBC – On This Day &#124; 10 &#124; 2003: Britain swelters in record heat |publisher=BBC News |date=10 August 2001 |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=7 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307125250/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/10/newsid_3910000/3910801.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> only beaten by [[Brogdale]], near [[Faversham]], {{convert|26|mi|km|0}} to the ESE.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/2003/ |title=Climate summaries |publisher=[[Met Office]] |date=3 February 2016 |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030220163131/http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/2003/ |archive-date=20 February 2003 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=MORecord>{{cite web|title=Temperature Record – 10 August 2003|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/media/pdf/3/p/Temperature_Record_-_10_August_2003.pdf|website=Met Office|access-date=27 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223707/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/media/pdf/3/p/Temperature_Record_-_10_August_2003.pdf|archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> Gravesend, which has a [[Met Office]] site,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/u10k8kx5v |title=Gravesend weather forecast |publisher=[[Met Office]] |date=1 May 2014 |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214540/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/u10k8kx5v |url-status=live }}</ref> reports its data each hour.

Being inland and yet relatively close to [[continental Europe]], Gravesend enjoys a somewhat more continental climate than the coastal areas of Kent, Essex and East Anglia and also compared to western parts of Britain. It is therefore less cloudy, drier, and less prone to Atlantic [[Low-pressure area|depression]]s with their associated wind and rain than western parts, as well as being hotter in summer and colder in winter.

Thus Gravesend continues to record higher temperatures in [[summer]], sometimes being the hottest place in the country, ''e.g.'' on the warmest day of 2011, when temperatures reached 33.1&nbsp;°C.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13936256 | work=BBC News | title=Flash flood warnings for parts of England | date=27 June 2011 | access-date=20 June 2018 | archive-date=2 October 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002061635/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13936256 | url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, the town holds at least two records for the year 2010, of 30.9&nbsp;°C<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=153946459&ocid=today |title=Latest news from around Great Britain – MSN News UK |website=News.uk.msn.com |date=16 February 2015 |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226192412/http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=153946459&ocid=today |archive-date=26 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and 31.7&nbsp;°C.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/news/834794-weekend-hot-weather-saw-brits-flocking-to-the-beaches |title=Weekend hot weather saw Brits flocking to the beaches &#124; Metro News |website=Metro.co.uk |date=11 July 2010 |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=3 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003031450/http://www.metro.co.uk/news/834794-weekend-hot-weather-saw-brits-flocking-to-the-beaches |url-status=live }}</ref> Another record was set during England's Indian summer of 2011 with 29.9&nbsp;°C., the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK for October. In 2016 the warmest day of the year occurred very late on 13 September with a very high temperature of 34.4C

{{Weather box|location = Stanford-le-Hope (nearest climate station to Gravesend) 1981–2010
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 16.2
|Feb record high C = 20.4
|Mar record high C = 23.1
|Apr record high C = 27.7
|May record high C = 31.3
|Jun record high C = 34.7
|Jul record high C = 36.0
|Aug record high C = 38.1
|Sep record high C = 34.4
|Oct record high C = 29.9
|Nov record high C = 20.2
|Dec record high C = 17.1
|Jan high C = 7.9
|Feb high C = 8.0
|Mar high C = 10.9
|Apr high C = 13.2
|May high C = 16.8
|Jun high C = 19.9
|Jul high C = 22.1
|Aug high C = 22.2
|Sep high C = 19.4
|Oct high C = 15.2
|Nov high C = 10.8
|Dec high C = 8.1
|year high C =
|Jan low C = 2.2
|Feb low C = 1.6
|Mar low C = 3.3
|Apr low C = 4.7
|May low C = 7.5
|Jun low C = 10.5
|Jul low C = 13.0
|Aug low C = 12.5
|Sep low C = 10.3
|Oct low C = 7.4
|Nov low C = 4.4
|Dec low C = 2.4
|year low C = 
|Jan record low C = -13.8
|Feb record low C = -13.2
|Mar record low C = -8.7
|Apr record low C = -3.2
|May record low C = 0.8
|Jun record low C = 2.1
|Jul record low C = 5.2
|Aug record low C = 3.8
|Sep record low C = 2.1
|Oct record low C = -3.0
|Nov record low C = -6.6
|Dec record low C = -10.7

|Jan precipitation mm = 47.9
|Feb precipitation mm = 36.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 37.6
|Apr precipitation mm = 40.9
|May precipitation mm = 48.0
|Jun precipitation mm = 41.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 52.5
|Aug precipitation mm = 44.8
|Sep precipitation mm = 45.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 64.9
|Nov precipitation mm = 57.8
|Dec precipitation mm = 53.8
|year precipitation mm = 
|Jan sun = 60.0
|Feb sun = 77.7
|Mar sun = 113.4
|Apr sun = 161.5
|May sun = 194.3
|Jun sun = 198.7
|Jul sun = 208.7
|Aug sun = 195.5
|Sep sun = 151.1
|Oct sun = 117.9
|Nov sun = 74.0
|Dec sun = 48.6
|year sun = 
|source 1 = [[Met Office]]}}

==Demography==
Since 1990 the economy of Gravesham has changed from one based on heavy industry to being [[Service industry|service-based]]. The borough's estimated population in 2012 was 101,700: a 6,000 increase in less than a decade. It has a high population density (almost 10 people per hectare) compared to nationally; it has a relatively young population (40% of the population are below 30); and 60% of the population are of working age.

Based upon figures from the 2021 census, the second largest religious group in the borough are [[Sikhs]] who at that time made up 8% of the population. However, if the term belief is used, [[Christians]] are most numerous at more than (49%), non-religious (32.1%) and third [[Sikhs]] (8%).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/maps/choropleth/identity/religion/religion-tb/not-answered?lad=E07000109 | title=Religion - Census Maps, ONS }}</ref>

==Shopping==
[[File:Gravesend High Street - geograph.org.uk - 931446.jpg|thumb|High Street, Gravesend in 2008]]
Gravesend today is a commercial and commuter town, providing a local shopping district, including the St Georges shopping complex, the Thamesgate shopping centre and a regular [[farmers' market]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myfarmersmarket.co.uk/gravesend/ |date=2017-05-02 |access-date=2021-02-03 |author=Gravesend Farmers Market |title=Gravesend Farmers Market}}</ref> It also used to have a Debenhams and Wilko, but they closed down.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-30 |title=Bargain hunters swoop on closing Debenhams |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/shoppers-flood-to-debenhams-ahead-of-closing-246470/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Kent Online |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-19 |title=Wilko stores' closure dates confirmed |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/wilko-stores-closure-dates-confirmed-293706/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Kent Online |language=en}}</ref> Gravesend market hall, in the heart of the town, was first chartered in 1268.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gravesend Borough Market to celebrate 750th anniversary of being chartered|date=24 January 2018|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/kent-market-to-turn-750-158961/|access-date=22 May 2018|archive-date=22 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522182129/http://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/kent-market-to-turn-750-158961/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Landmarks==

===Gravesend Town Pier===
{{main|Gravesend town pier}}[[File:Town Pier Gravesend.JPG|thumb|Town Pier Gravesend]]
Gravesend has the world's oldest surviving [[cast iron]] [[pier]], built in 1834.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/Kent/content/image_galleries/weekly_gallery_gravesend_town_pier.shtml|title=Gravesend Town Pier |access-date=26 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114045457/http://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/content/image_galleries/weekly_gallery_gravesend_town_pier.shtml |archive-date=14 November 2012 }}</ref>
It is a unique structure having the first known iron cylinders used in its construction. The pier was completely refurbished in 2004 and now features a bar and restaurant;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rivaonthepier.com/ |title=Riva Waterside Restaurant & Bar &#124; Town Pier, West Street, Gravesend, DA11 0BJ &#124; Tel 01474 364694 |website=Rivaonthepier.com |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=13 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413114102/http://www.rivaonthepier.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with public access to the pier head when the premises are open.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.piers.org.uk/pierpages/NPSgravesendtown.html |title=Gravesend Town Pier – National Piers Society |website=Piers.org.uk |access-date=27 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305042341/http://www.piers.org.uk/pierpages/NPSgravesendtown.html |archive-date=5 March 2016 }}</ref>
A recent £2 million investment in a pontoon is now in place at the pier head onto the Thames, which provides for small and medium-sized craft to land at Gravesend. On 17 September 2012, the [[Gravesend–Tilbury Ferry]], relocated to the Town Pier, from its previous terminal in nearby West Street.

===Royal Terrace Pier===
{{further|Royal Terrace Pier}}[[File:Another view of Royal Terrace Pier and London River House Gravesend.JPG|thumb|A view of Royal Terrace Pier and London River House Gravesend]]
Built in 1844, the initial construction was funded by the Gravesend Freehold Investment Company, at a cost of £9,200. It was where [[Alexandra of Denmark|Princess Alexandra of Denmark]] arrived on her way to marry [[Edward VII|Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII)]] in March 1865,<ref name=Listed/> and [[River pilot]]s have been based here since the late 19th century.

Today, Royal Terrace Pier is in constant 24-hour use, as part of the [[Port of London Authority]] main operations centre and [[Gravesend Lifeboat Station|Gravesend RNLI Lifeboat Station]], one of four lifeboat stations situated on the River Thames;<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.pla.co.uk/pdfs/pp/ShortguideAlt2.pdf| title=Short Guide to the PLA| publisher=Port of London Authority| access-date=31 March 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004200013/http://www.pla.co.uk/pdfs/pp/ShortguideAlt2.pdf| archive-date=4 October 2011| df=dmy-all}}</ref> thus, its public access is available only occasionally during the year. It is T-shaped, with a [[pontoon (boat)|pontoon]] at its pier head. Like the '''Town Pier''', [[Royal Terrace Pier]] is also a [[Grade II]] listed structure.<ref name=Listed>{{Cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1341489|title=The Royal Terrace Pier, including the Pavilions flanking the entrance, Gravesham – 1341489 {{!}} Historic England|last=England|first=Historic|website=historicengland.org.uk|access-date=2021-02-03}}</ref>

===Gravesend Clock Tower, Milton Road===
[[File:Clocktower 02.jpg|thumb|The Clock Tower located at the top of Harmer Street, Gravesend, Kent]]
Situated at the junction of Milton Road and Harmer Street, its foundation stone was laid on 6 September 1887. The memorial stone records that the [[clock tower]] was erected by public subscription (£700 was raised toward its construction) and dedicated to [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]], to commemorate the 50th year of her reign.<ref>{{cite web |author=The Dedicated Partnership|url=http://www.ukattraction.com/south-east-england/gravesend-clock-tower.htm |title=Gravesend Clock Tower in Gravesend |publisher=UK Attraction |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414175038/http://www.ukattraction.com/south-east-england/gravesend-clock-tower.htm |archive-date=14 April 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Built of Portland and Dumfries stone and backed by London stock brick, the design of the structure is based on the design of the [[Elizabeth Tower]] in the Palace of Westminster, which houses [[Clock Tower, Palace of Westminster|Big Ben]]. The centre of the clock itself is measured at 50&nbsp;feet (15&nbsp;m) above ground and the face measures 5&nbsp;ft 6 in (1.68&nbsp;m) in diameter. The tower is Grade II [[listed building|listed]].<ref>{{NHLE|grade=II|desc=Clock Tower|num=1089024|date=3 July 1975}}</ref>

===Pocahontas statue===
[[File:Pocahontas gravesend.jpg|thumb|upright|Statue of Pocahontas by [[St George's Church, Gravesend]], [[Kent]]]]
An American sculptor, [[William Ordway Partridge]], created a life-size statue of the 17th-century [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American princess]] [[Pocahontas]], which was unveiled at [[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 foundation, it being the first successful [[Thirteen Colonies|English colonial settlement]] in America.

On 5 October 1958, an exact replica of Partridge's statue was dedicated as a memorial to Pocahontas at [[St George's Church, Gravesend|St George's Parish Church]]. The [[Governor of Virginia]] presented the statue as a gift to the British people in 1958, a gesture prompted by The Queen's visit to [[United States of America|the USA]] in the previous year.

In 2017, US Ambassador [[Matthew Barzun]] visited the statue to mark the 400th anniversary of the death and burial of Pocahontas in Gravesend. The Ambassador laid a floral tribute of 21 roses at its base, symbolising each year of Pocahontas' life.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gravesham.gov.uk/home/news-and-events/news/2017/us-ambassador-visits-gravesend|title=US Ambassador visits Gravesend|first=Gravesham Borough Council – All Rights|last=Reserved|date=1 January 2016|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401232716/https://www.gravesham.gov.uk/home/news-and-events/news/2017/us-ambassador-visits-gravesend|archive-date=1 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Windmill Hill===
{{Main|Windmill Hill, Kent}}
Windmill Hill, named after its former windmills, offers extensive views across the [[Thames]] and was a popular spot for Victorian visitors to the town because of the [[camera obscura]] installed at 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 of England|King Richard II]], and still in use 200&nbsp;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 in 1988, the 400th anniversary of the Armada.

It was during the reign of [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth I]] that the first [[windmill]] was placed at the highest point in Gravesend, {{cvt|179|ft}} overlooking 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 is reported as having been destroyed by fire during [[Mafeking, South Africa|Mafeking Night]] celebrations in 1900.

During [[World War I]] an Imperial German Navy airship passed over Windmill Hill, dropping bombs on it; today there are three markers indicating where these bombs struck.

=== Gravesend Power Station ===
[[Gravesend power station]] (TQ 6575 7413) was built by the Gravesend Corporation in 1902–03 to supply local demand for electricity. It was built on the south side of the basin at the west end of the [[Thames and Medway Canal|Thames and Medway canal]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=The Power Stations of the Lower Thames|last=Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England|publisher=National Monuments Record Centre|year=1995|location=Swindon}}</ref> The buildings were demolished in 1995.<ref name=":0" />

== Gravesend and the River Thames ==
[[File:GravesendThames3443.JPG|thumb|left|MV ''Armia Krajowa'', a Panamax vessel, being docked by Gravesend [[tugboat]]s to discharge coal at Tilbury]]
The Thames has long been an important feature in Gravesend life, and may well have been the deciding factor for the first settlement there. 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 as it sailed along the Thames, the passengers protected from the weather by a canvas tilt (awning). 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 town]]s and thrived from an early tourist trade.

Gravesend "watermen" were often in a family trade; and the town is the headquarters of the [[Port of London Authority]] [[Port of London|Control Centre]] (formerly known as ''Thames Navigation Service''), has its headquarters at Gravesend, providing [[maritime pilot]]s who play an important role in navigation on the River Thames.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pla.co.uk/ |title=Port of London Authority |website=Pla.co.uk |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=31 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531003515/http://www.pla.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

A dinghy at an unmodernised Gravesend was the backdrop to the 1952 thriller ''[[The Long Memory]]'' starring [[Sir John Mills]]. In the film, Mills plays a character living in poverty on a derelict fishing boat stranded in the mud flats.

Gravesend has one of England's oldest regattas retained from its strong maritime links with the Thames. Although the origins of the regatta are unknown it dates back at least to [[Tudor era|Tudor times]]. The races are traditionally competed by Gravesend [[skiffs]], {{convert|21|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} [[Oak#Uses|oak]]en round-bottomed, [[clinker-built]] boats.

The ''Thames Navigation Service'' was first thought up between 1950 and 1952 by Cdr [[Peter de Neumann]], while he was captain of [[HM Revenue and Customs|HMRC]] cutter ''Vigilant'' based at '''Gravesend Reach'''. This idea followed 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 a 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 carried out. He then oversaw its development and ultimate installation at Gravesend.

[[File:St Andrew's Art Centre & Gallery at Bawley Bay, Gravesend.JPG|thumb|St Andrew's Art Centre & Gallery sits between Bawley Bay and Anchor Cove, both being the embarkation points for British colonists sailing to New Zealand and Australia in the early 19th century.]]
Until the building of [[Port of Tilbury|Tilbury Docks]], on the opposite side of the river, between 1882 and 1886, Gravesend was the Thames's 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 boats 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 Indiamen]] traditionally stopped here at a point known as '''Long Reach''' to lighten their loads before sailing up the Thames to moorings at [[Blackwall, London|Blackwall]].<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=46535|title=The East India Docks: Historical development', Survey of London: volumes 43 and 44: Poplar, Blackwall and Isle of Dogs|year=1994|access-date=7 November 2007|archive-date=3 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103053617/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=46535|url-status=live}}</ref>

For some years after, war steamer excursions were run on the [[MV Royal Daffodil (1939)|MV ''Royal Daffodil'']] down the Thames from Gravesend to France, but they ceased in 1966. Cruises are now operated by the [[Lower Thames and Medway Passenger Boat Company]] up the river to [[Greenwich]]. The cross-river passenger ferry to [[Tilbury]] provides a long-established route to and from Essex. Before the [[Dartford Crossing]] came into being, there was a vehicle ferry at Gravesend as well.

There is a [[Gravesend Lifeboat Station|RNLI lifeboat station]], based at '''Royal Terrace Pier''', which is one of the busiest in the country.<ref name=RNLINews>{{cite web|url=https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2017/may/02/15-years-later-and-1500-shouts-for-gravesend-rnli |date=2017-05-02 |access-date=2021-02-02 |author= RNLI|title=15 Years later and 1500 shouts for Gravesend RNLI}}</ref>

===Thames and Medway Canal===
{{main|Thames and Medway Canal}}
[[File:GravesendCanalBasin3456.JPG|thumb|Gravesend Canal Basin]]
The Thames and Medway Canal was opened for barge traffic in 1824. It ran from Gravesend on the Thames to [[Frindsbury]] near [[Strood]] on the [[Medway]]. Although seven miles long, it had only two locks, each {{cvt|94|ft}} by {{cvt|22|ft}} in size, one at each end. Its most notable feature was the tunnel near Strood, which was {{cvt|3,946|yds}} long, the second longest canal tunnel ever built in the UK. The great cost of the tunnel meant that the canal was not a commercial success.

After only 20&nbsp;years, most of the canal was closed and the canal's tunnel was converted to railway use. Initially, canal and railway shared the tunnel, with the single track built on timber supports, but by 1847, canal use was abandoned and a double track laid. Today Gravesend Canal Basin is used for the mooring of [[pleasure craft]]. Gravesend Sailing Club, which was founded so that working men could participate in the sport while still having to earn a living is based here. The lock has been dredged, and restoration and strengthening work has been carried out on the basin walls as part of the regeneration of the area.

==Transport==

===Roads===
The main roads through the town are the west–east [[A226 road]] from [[Dartford]] and beyond to [[Rochester, Kent|Rochester]]; and the [[A227 road]] to [[Tonbridge]]. The [[A2 road (Great Britain)|A2 road]] passes two miles (3&nbsp;km) south of Gravesend town centre; a mile stretch of it was rerouted in the early 2000s to take the traffic away from the south end of the town.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20052933.htm |title=The A2 Trunk Road (Pepperhill to Cobham and Slip Roads) Order 2005 |website=Opsi.gov.uk |date=4 July 2011 |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=11 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070111141852/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20052933.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 26 March 2006 the first of the area's new [[Fastrack (bus)|Fastrack]] bus services, which use a combination of ordinary roads and dedicated 'bus tracks', opened. The service links to [[Ebbsfleet International railway station]], [[Greenhithe, Kent|Greenhithe]], [[Bluewater (shopping centre)|Bluewater Shopping Centre]] and Dartford.

===Rail===
{{Main|Gravesend railway station|Gravesend West Line}}
[[File:Gravesend Railway Station 2.jpg|thumb|left|Gravesend's Victorian railway station modernised for HS1 in 2014]]

[[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 [[English Channel|continental]] ferry connection, closed in 1968.

Gravesend is the primary [[North West Kent|north Kent]] interchange for high speed and metro rail services. In December 2009, the full high-speed timetable between London and Kent came into force and passenger usage from Gravesend has exceeded expectations. High-speed services from [[St Pancras railway station|London St Pancras]] and [[Stratford International railway station|Stratford International]], are offered via Gravesend to the [[Medway]] towns, [[Sittingbourne]], [[Faversham]], [[Margate]], [[Broadstairs]] and [[Ramsgate]]. Some of these services continue to [[Ashford International railway station|Ashford International]] via [[Sandwich railway station|Sandwich]] and [[Dover Priory railway station|Dover Priory]].

There are also metro services to [[Charing Cross railway station|London Charing Cross]], [[Waterloo East railway station|London Waterloo East]] and [[London Bridge railway station|London Bridge]] via [[Sidcup railway station|Sidcup]], via [[Woolwich Arsenal railway station|Woolwich Arsenal]] and [[Lewisham railway station|Lewisham]] and [[Bexleyheath railway station|Bexleyheath]], and to [[Gillingham (Kent) railway station|Gillingham]].

Unusually Gravesend features a Platform 0, one of the few in the country, it is used for terminating services from [[Cannon Street railway station|London Cannon Street]] or London Charing Cross via Sidcup.

===Buses===
Gravesend is served by several [[Arriva Kent Thameside]] bus services connecting the town with other areas in [[Kent]] including [[Dartford]], [[Bluewater (shopping centre)|Bluewater]] and [[Sevenoaks]] and to the [[Medway Towns]].<br />
Gravesend is also served by [[Fastrack (bus)|Fastrack]] bus services connecting the town with Bluewater, [[Darent Valley Hospital]] and Dartford.

===Ferry===
[[File:GravesendThames3401.JPG|thumb|The ferry from Tilbury coming alongside at Gravesend]]
{{main|Gravesend–Tilbury Ferry }} 
Passenger ferry services to [[Tilbury]], [[Essex]], operated daily (except Sundays), from [[Gravesend town pier|Gravesend Town Pier]] until 31 March 2024.

===Footpaths===

The [[Saxon Shore Way]], a [[long distance footpath]], starts at Gravesend and traces the coast as in [[Roman Empire|Roman times]] as far as [[Hastings]], [[East Sussex]]; 163 miles (262&nbsp;km) in total. The [[Wealdway]] also starts at the Town Pier, and continues almost due south over the [[Weald]] to [[Eastbourne]] in East Sussex where it links with [[South Downs Way]], a distance of 80&nbsp;miles (128&nbsp;km).

==Religious buildings==
The town's principal Anglican place of worship is the Church of St George, Gravesend. This [[Georgian architecture|Georgian building]] is a tourist attraction because of its association with Princess Pocahontas, as well as being the [[parish church]]. Gravesend has three other [[Church of England]] parishes and [[Roman Catholic]], [[Methodist]], [[United Reformed]] and [[Baptist]] churches as well as other smaller chapels.

[[File:Gravesend Sikh Temple - geograph.org.uk - 1943692.jpg|thumb|Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, Gravesend]]
Gravesend has a significant [[Sikh]] population of more than 15,000, representing over 15% of the town's population.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kaur |first1=Min |title=Gravesend Sikhs celebrate 550 years since Guru Nanak's birth |work=BBC News |date=17 November 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-50451267#:~:text=The%20building%20in%20Saddington%20Street,15%25%20of%20the%20Gravesend%20population. |access-date=20 August 2020 |archive-date=8 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708222553/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-50451267#:~:text=The%20building%20in%20Saddington%20Street,15%25%20of%20the%20Gravesend%20population. |url-status=live }}</ref> Its first [[gurdwara]] was founded in 1956 by [[Bhat Sikhs|Bhat Sikh]] [[Suraj Parkash|Santokh Singh Takk]] in Edwin Street with a second one opening, ten years later, in a former [[Congregationalist]] church, but this gurdwara closed in 2010. The same year, one of the United Kingdom's largest [[Sikh temple]]s was opened at a cost of £12 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gurunanakdarbar.org/ |title=Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara |website=Gurunanakdarbar.org |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=25 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225220247/http://gurunanakdarbar.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Education==
In secondary education, Gravesend has the following schools: [[Gravesend Grammar School]]; [[Northfleet School for Girls]]; [[Northfleet Technology College]] (Northfleet School for Boys, on the former sites of Northfleet Secondary School for Boys and Gravesend Technical High School for Boys); [[Mayfield Grammar School]] (formerly [[Gravesend Grammar School for Girls]]); [[St John's Catholic Comprehensive School]]; [[Thamesview School]] and [[St George's Church of England School]]. There are also primary age schools such as Whitehill Primary School, special schools and several independent schools, such as Bronte School and St Joseph's.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.locallife.co.uk/dartford/schools.asp |title=Dartford and Gravesend Schools &#124; Find a School in Dartford and Gravesend |website=Locallife.co.uk |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114645/http://www.locallife.co.uk/dartford/schools.asp |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Health==
Gravesend Hospital was opened in 1854, following the donation of a site by the [[Earl of Darnley|6th 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, and parts of the newer buildings were demolished to make way for a new community hospital. Gravesend Community Hospital provides a Minor Injury Unit, Dental services, Speech and Language therapy and Physiotherapy. It also has a Stroke Ward and offers inpatient care. The outpatient department provides care for much of the local area and is separate from those offered at Darent Valley Hospital. In addition, Gravesend emergency doctors out of hours service as well as podiatry are offered.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/home/our-services/gravesham-community-hospital/?entryid109=230335 |title=Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust – Gravesham Community Hospital |website=Kentcht.nhs.uk |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=15 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215173238/http://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/home/our-services/gravesham-community-hospital/?entryid109=230335 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the town centre is a large medical clinic at Swan Yard, next to the Market car park, and several other doctors' surgeries are located in the area.

==Sport==
===Football===
The [[Stonebridge Road]] [[association football|football ground]] at neighbouring [[Northfleet]] is home to [[Ebbsfleet United F.C.]], which changed its name from Gravesend and Northfleet F.C. in June 2007. Ebbsfleet currently plays in the [[National League (English football)|National League]], and the club [[FA Trophy 2007-08|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 its takeover was completed early in 2008.<ref name="Fleet Takeover Vote">{{cite news
  | title = Fans website approve Fleet deal
  | publisher = [[BBC Sport]]
  | date = 23 January 2008
  | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gravesend_and_northfleet/7190175.stm
  | access-date = 23 January 2008
  | archive-date = 19 January 2008
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080119180638/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gravesend_and_northfleet/7190175.stm
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref>

===Cricket===
[[Gravesend Cricket Club]] (founded in 1881 when the Harkaway and Clarence Cricket Clubs amalgamated) is based at the [[Bat and Ball Ground]] on Wrotham Road, where [[cricket]] has been played since its foundation at the behest of the [[Earl of Darnley|6th Earl of Darnley]] (grandfather of the celebrated England cricketer, [[Ivo Bligh|The Hon. Ivo Bligh]], later 8th Earl of Darnley) in the mid 19th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gravesendcc.co.uk/|title=Gravesend Cricket club|access-date=17 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217192207/http://www.gravesendcc.co.uk/ |archive-date=17 December 2014 }}</ref>

===Rugby union===
Gravesend has two [[rugby union]] teams, [[Gravesend Rugby Football Club]] and Old Gravesendians RFC, which are situated next to each other opposite the [[Gravesend Grammar School]].

Old Gravesendians RFC (founded in 1929)<ref>J.P Jordan (1949) History of Kent Rugby Football, pages 119–120</ref> consisted traditionally of former Gravesend Grammar School pupils. Prior to the forming of Old Gravesendians RFC, on leaving the Grammar School, former pupils had continued to engage in various sports through the Old Blues Association (founded in 1914).<ref>Gravesend and Dartford Reporter, Saturday 15 January 1921</ref> Owing to World War I the Old Blues Association practically went to pieces with only one annual dinner having been held in 1914. After the war a reunion dinner was held in 1920, the second annual dinner, which restarted the Old Blues Association activities. The Old Gravesendians RFC was often referred to as 'Gravesend Old Blues' in match reports.

Old Gravesendians RFC continued to foster rugby in Gravesend during World War II by turning out a side every season. Since 2000 Old Gravesendians (Old G's) have reached six Kent Plate finals, winning two. They achieved promotion to London League rugby in 2009, but were relegated in 2009–10. Old G's put out three sides with the first team playing in [[Shepherd Neame Kent 1]] during the 2018–19 season. The team colours are light blue and dark blue.

===Rowing===
Rowing races have been held on the [[River Thames]] at Gravesend since at least 1698, with the first organised [[Regatta]] recorded in 1715. The first Borough Regatta began in 1882,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gravesend-regatta.co.uk/ |title=Welcome to Gravesend Regatta Committee |website=Gravesend-regatta.co.uk |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220207/http://www.gravesend-regatta.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> setting the pattern for an annual event on the River Thames that is carried on to this day. The River Thames in Gravesend is home to the Gravesend Rowing Club (founded in 1878),<ref>Gravesend and Dartford Reporter, Saturday 20 July 1878</ref> which the club claims is the oldest existing sporting club in Gravesend,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gravesendrc.co.uk/about/history/the-origins-of-gravesend-rc/ |title=Gravesend RC |publisher=Gravesend RC |date=7 May 2019 |access-date=7 May 2019 |archive-date=13 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613141319/http://www.gravesendrc.co.uk/about/history/the-origins-of-gravesend-rc/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the Regatta Committee's skiff rowers, and Gravesend Sailing Club.

===Cycling===
To the south of Gravesend on the ancient site of Watling Street on 43ha of land adjacent to the A2, [[Cyclopark]], a venue for [[cycling]] events and other activities has been developed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclopark.com/ |title=Cyclopark |publisher=Cyclopark |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002951/http://www.cyclopark.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The site which features [[mountain bike]] trails, a [[Road bicycle racing|road circuit]], a [[BMX]] racetrack and family cycling paths was formally opened in early 2012.<ref>{{cite web |author=James Costley-White |url=http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/big-new-cycling-centre-for-kent-28742 |title=Big new cycling centre for Kent |publisher=BikeRadar |date=21 December 2010 |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=14 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414175118/http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/big-new-cycling-centre-for-kent-28742/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Culture==
{{more citations needed|section|date=May 2023}}
The Gravesend Historical Society meets regularly and produces a biannual magazine on its activities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ghs.org.uk/ |title=Gravesend Historical Society |website=Ghs.org.uk |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190341/http://www.ghs.org.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Charles Dickens]] lived at [[Gad's Hill Place]], 2 miles (3.2&nbsp;km) east of Gravesend and specifically mentions the town and its environs in at least three of his novels. In ''[[David Copperfield (novel)|David Copperfield]]'' Mr. Peggotty, Ham and the Micawbers say their goodbyes and sail away from Gravesend to begin a new life in Australia. In ''[[Great Expectations]]'', Pip, with accomplices, rows Magwitch from London downriver in expectation of waylaying a regular steamer (whilst under way in the Lower Hope, off Gravesend) bound for Hamburg. At St James' Church, in Cooling, Pip finds Magwitch hidden among the graves. Gravesend also appears in ''[[The Pickwick Papers]]'').

Gravesend is briefly mentioned in the 1818 novel ''[[Frankenstein]]'' by [[Mary Shelley]] during Victor's travels through the United Kingdom with Clerval; ultimately culminating in Victor's residence in the [[Orkney Islands]].

[[Arthur Conan Doyle]] often mentioned Gravesend in his [[Sherlock Holmes]] stories.

In the 1902 novel ''[[Heart of Darkness]]'' by [[Joseph Conrad]], Charles Marlow's ship, anchored off Gravesend, is the setting where he tells his tale.

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 now closed [[Gravesend West Line]] West Street terminus.

''[[The War Game]]'' was a 1965 BBC television drama-documentary film depicting a nuclear war that was initially banned, and not broadcast until July 1985. The film was shot in Gravesend and in the other Kent towns of Tonbridge, Chatham and Dover, with a cast which was almost entirely made up of non-actors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwatkins.mnsi.net/warGame.htm |title=The War Game |publisher=Peter Watkins |date=24 September 1965 |access-date=3 February 2021}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{more citations needed|section|date=April 2024}}
[[File:General Charles George Gordon Statue.jpg|thumb|upright|Statue of General Gordon at Gravesend]]

* [[Edwin Arnold|Sir Edwin Arnold]] (1832–1904), English poet and journalist whose most prominent work as a poet was ''The Light of Asia'' (1879).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.information-britain.co.uk/famousbrits.php?id=1123 |title=Edwin Arnold, famous people from Gravesend |publisher=Information-britain.co.uk |date=12 February 2007 |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230603/http://www.information-britain.co.uk/famousbrits.php?id=1123 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Gemma Arterton]] (born 1986), actress, was born at Northfleet and attended [[Mayfield Grammar School|Gravesend Grammar School for Girls]].
* [[Derek Barton|Sir Derek Barton]] (1918–1998), English chemist and [[Nobel Prize]] winner for "contributions to the development of the concept of conformation and its application in chemistry".
* [[Francis Beaufort|Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort]] (1774–1857), creator of the Beaufort Scale, was stationed at Gravesend.
* [[Peter Blake (artist)|Sir Peter Blake]] (born 1932), artist who trained at Gravesend School of Art. ''The Blake Gallery'' has recently been opened at the Woodville Halls in the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.woodville.co.uk/blakegallery.php|title=The Blake Gallery |access-date=17 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217193823/http://www.woodville.co.uk/blakegallery.php |archive-date=17 December 2014 }}</ref>
* [[George Box]] (1919–2013), renowned statistician, and a recipient of the [[Fellow of the Royal Society|FRS]].
* [[Laura Coombs]] (born 1991), footballer for [[England women's national football team|England]].{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}
* [[Charles Dickens]] is associated with Gravesend and villages around the borough. Many of the links between him and Gravesham are still in evidence – Gravesend he visited, at Chalk he spent his honeymoon, at Higham he lived and died, and at Cobham he found inspiration for ''[[The Pickwick Papers]]''.
* [[Jessica Dismorr]] (1885-1939), a member of the [[Vorticism]] art movement, was born in Gravesend.
* [[Carl Daniel Ekman]] (1845–1904) Swedish chemist and paper-maker who relocated to Gravesend.<ref>{{cite web|title=Carl Ekman|url=http://www.discovergravesham.co.uk/famous-people/carl-ekman.html|website=Discover Gravesham|publisher=Gravesham Borough Council|access-date=5 March 2016|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221051/http://www.discovergravesham.co.uk/famous-people/carl-ekman.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Major-General]] [[Charles George Gordon|Charles Gordon]] (1833–1885), lived in the town from 1865 to 1871. As commander of the Royal Engineers, he supervised the construction of the forts guarding the Thames downstream from Gravesend, at [[New Tavern Fort]] in the town, [[Shornemead Fort]] on the Thames's south bank, and [[Coalhouse Fort]] on the north in Essex. While in Gravesend, Gordon 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 wages. His links with Gravesend are commemorated locally on the embankment at the Riverside Leisure Area, which is known as the Gordon Promenade, and at Khartoum Place that lies just to the south.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.victorianweb.org/history/empire/gordon/bio1.html |title=Charles George Gordon (1833–1885): A Brief Biography |publisher=Victorianweb.org |date=2010-06-09 |access-date=2021-02-03}}</ref>
* [[Paul Greengrass]] (born 1955) film director was educated at [[Gravesend Grammar School|Gravesend Grammar School for Boys]].
* [[Thom Gunn]] (1929–2004), Anglo-American poet, was born in Gravesend. His most famous collection, ''The Man With Night Sweats'' (1992), is dominated by AIDS-related elegies.<ref name=donyt>{{Cite news |last=Orr |first=Daniel |date=12 July 2009 |orig-year=9 July 2009 (online) |title=Too Close to Touch |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/12/books/review/Orr-t.html |department=On Poetry (column) |work=[[The New York Times Book Review]] |access-date=12 July 2009 |archive-date=23 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323112501/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/12/books/review/Orr-t.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He relocated to [[San Francisco]], [[California]] in 1954 to teach writing at [[Stanford University]] and remain close to Mike his partner whom he met whilst at university.
* [[Katharine Hamnett]] (born 1947), fashion designer.
* [[William Hanneford-Smith]] (1878–1954) publisher
* [[Adam Holloway]] (born 1965), local [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) 2005-2024, lives on Darnley Road in the town.
* [[Paul Ritter]] (1966-2021), actor best known for [[Friday Night Dinner]], [[Chernobyl]] and [[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]
* [[Frederick Holbourn]] (1896-1967), war pensioner activist
* [[Shadrach Jones]] (c.1822–1895) New Zealand doctor, auctioneer, hotel-owner and impresario; born in Gravesend.
* [[John MacGregor (sportsman)|John MacGregor]] (1825–1892), English writer, who designed the "Rob Roy" canoe.<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= MacGregor, John |volume = 17 |last= |first= |author-link= |page=232 |short=1}}</ref>
* [[Mitch Pinnock]] (born 1994), English professional footballer, was born in the town. He currently plays for [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]].
* [[Pocahontas]] (1595–1617), the first Native American girl or woman to visit England. She was taken ill on her return voyage to America, and died aged 21 after coming ashore at Gravesend. She was buried under the chancel of St George's parish church.
* [[Harry Reid (actor)|Harry Reid]] (born 1992), actor who appeared in [[EastEnders]] as Ben Mitchell, was born and lives in Gravesend. He attended [[Northfleet Technology College]] (formerly known as Northfleet School for Boys).<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/id-like-to-play-ben-38479/| title='I'd like to play Ben in EastEnders forever'| date=12 June 2015| access-date=24 September 2017| archive-date=24 September 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924190540/http://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/id-like-to-play-ben-38479/| url-status=live}}</ref> Trained in acting, physical theatre and musical theatre at Miskin Theatre in Dartford, Kent.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.spotlight.com/interactive/cv/1/M173487.html | title=Spotlight: HARRY REID | access-date=24 September 2017 | archive-date=24 September 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924184643/https://www.spotlight.com/interactive/cv/1/M173487.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
* 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 [[Russia]]n composer.
* [[David Rutley]] (born 1961 at Gravesend), first [[Mormon]] UK [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP).
* [[Chris Simmons]] (born 1975 at Gravesend), television and stage actor best known for his roles as DC [[Mickey Webb]] in ''[[The Bill]]'', Mark Garland in ''[[EastEnders]]'' and Stuart Summer in ''[[Hollyoaks]]''.
* [[Charles Stewart, 3rd Duke of Richmond]], resided at [[Cobham Hall]], 5 miles (8&nbsp;km) south east of Gravesend, until 1672 (followed by his descendants, the [[Earl of Darnley|Earls of Darnley]]).
*[[Marc Guehi]] (born 2000), English professional footballer for [[Crystal Palace F.C.]], was educated at [[St George's Church of England School]], in Gravesend.
*[[Fikayo Tomori]] (born 1997) English professional footballer for [[AC Milan]], was educated at [[Gravesend Grammar School]]

==Twin towns==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the United Kingdom}}
Gravesend is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:

* [[Cambrai]], France<ref name="Archant twinning 3">{{cite web |url=http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705094933/http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns |title=British towns twinned with French towns |access-date=20 July 2013 |archive-date=5 July 2013 |publisher=Archant Community Media Ltd}}</ref>
* [[Chesterfield, Virginia]], United States
* [[Neumünster]], Germany
* [[Brunswick, Victoria]], Australia

==See also==
* [[Gravesham (UK Parliament constituency)]]
* [[List of Battle of Britain airfields]]
* [[Tollgate Hotel]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Gravesend}}
{{Wikivoyage|Gravesend}}
* {{cite EB9 |wstitle = Gravesend |volume= XI |last= |first= |author-link= | page=65 |short=1 }}
* {{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Gravesend |volume = 12 |last= |first= |author-link= |page=383 |short=1}}
* [http://www.gogravesham.co.uk Gravesend Tourist Information Centre]
*[https://archive.org/details/historyoftownofg00crud ''The History of the Town of Gravesend'' by Robert Peirce Cruden (1843)]
{{Gravesham}}
{{Kent}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Gravesend, Kent| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Kent]]
[[Category:Market towns in Kent]]
[[Category:Port of London]]
[[Category:History of Kent]]
[[Category:Populated places on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Unparished areas in Kent]]
[[Category:Former civil parishes in Kent]]
[[Category:Gravesham]]