1 Chatham – Universities at Medway – Dockside Outlet – The Strand

The Arriva 1 makes a brilliantly easy half day or full day out around Medway, with everything from Georgian dockyards to outlet shopping reachable on a single ticket from Gillingham The Strand. Start with a stroll along the Strand itself, where the open-air lido, paddling pool and views across the Medway towards the Isle of Grain set a relaxed seaside mood before you board.

Hop off at the Universities at Medway stop to wander through the Pembroke campus. The mix of old naval buildings and modern academic blocks is genuinely interesting, and the public realm around the Drill Hall Library is open and welcoming. There are usually independent coffee outlets nearby, and the campus gardens make a quiet spot to plan the rest of the day.

Back on the bus, the next major stop is Chatham Maritime Dockside Outlet. The centre under its distinctive tented roof has a good range of high street and outlet brands, plus chain restaurants overlooking the marina. Even non-shoppers will enjoy the walk along the quayside, where HMS Gannet's masts rise above the water and the old basin walls remind you this was once the beating heart of the Royal Navy.

The unmissable stop is Chatham Historic Dockyard, just a short walk from the Dockyard Main Gate stop. Allow at least three hours to do it justice: HMS Cavalier, the submarine Ocelot, the magnificent Victorian Ropery and the No. 3 Slip cover and Steam, Steel and Submarines exhibition are all included in one ticket. The Big Space gallery and the resident lifeboats add even more for families.

Continuing into Chatham, jump off near Fort Amherst to explore the chalk tunnels, gun batteries and parkland of this Napoleonic fortress, which has wonderful views back over the dockyard and river. From here it is a short ride or pleasant downhill walk to Chatham Waterfront, where the bus station sits beside the Sun Pier and a cluster of cafes and pubs along the High Street.

Round off the day by catching the 1 back through Chatham Maritime to Gillingham, returning to the Strand in time for fish and chips by the river and an evening walk along the promenade as the sun sets over the Medway.