The Chatham chat tells us buses are brilliant for some Medway magic!

Let’s be real, Chatham probably isn’t first on your bucket list of UK destinations to visit. A quick TikTok search of this Kent town brings up high-street vox-pops reducing it to classic stereotypes, delivered in that typical, ever-charming and cheerful British way (not!). But perhaps this is the real appeal of Chatham – the sense of both authenticity and familiarity – those who live here will tell you it’s a great place and there’s some fab experiences to be enjoyed by bus, where there are plenty of services from surrounding areas, including Rochester, Gillingham, Strood, Higham, Bluewater Shopping Centre, among many other locations. For more details, check out…

https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200161/travel/516/bus_services

The streets, shops and everyday routines feels so recognisable, a little slice of UK life that evokes an almost comforting nostalgia. There’s a raw, British-core energy about Chatham, the kind of place that epitomises living in this country – a little scrappy, slightly chaotic but unmistakably grounded in our culture. But, what’s more, Chatham is actually one of the most important historic towns in England. Its dockyards were central to Britain’s naval power for over 400 years, making it a pillar for the country’s maritime legacy and something that still breathes through Chatham’s rich culture today.

At the heart of Chatham’s story is its relationship with the sea. The town developed around the River Medway, allowing ships to be protected whilst being close enough to deploy them quickly to the Thames Estuary and beyond. From the 16th century, Chatham began to build, repair and supply warships, as well as continuing to house them – operating from Chatham Historic Dockyard, which still stands today. Ships that fought in Trafalgar, Nile and both World Wars were some of the many that were constructed and maintained here, cementing Britain’s dominance in maritime history for centuries.

Today, the Chatham Historic Dockyard is a major tourist attraction and one of the best-preserved naval dockyards in the world. Large parts of the original dockyard still stand and many historic warships are permanently moored there, open to visitors to explore. The famous ropewalk, The Ropery, belongs here, ¼ mile long and one of the only four remaining original Royal Navy Ropeyards still in operation. The site also hosts events, workshops and even festivals, helping to keep Chatham’s maritime legacy immersive, accessible and ever-alive as the town continues to grow with the times.

But Chatham’s history goes beyond its naval roots. Fort Amherst, Britain’s largest Napoleonic Fort is located in Chatham, built in the 18th – 19th century to defend Chatham Dockyard and open to the public today. Visitors can adventure – for free! – through the maze of underground tunnels and walk along the ramparts, just like how Napoleonic soldiers living and working here would have done centuries ago. The fort runs daily tunnel tours with knowledgeable guides to take this even further, or, if you’re feeling rogue, attend a historical re-enactment held here.

The Great Lines form another key part of Chatham’s chronicle. Originally designed as another defence for the dockyard, this wide expanse of land prevented enemy forces from advancing unnoticed. Now, The Great Lines has taken on a very different role. Used as a green open space, it offers some of the best, most breath-taking views of the Medway towns, whilst connecting Chatham, Fort Amherst, Brompton, Gillingham and Medway Hospital with a series of direct pathways. At the highest point of the Great Lines stands the Chatham Naval Memorial, a moving tribute to commemorate over 18,000 sailors for their efforts in the World Wars.

Chatham’s backstory may shape the town, but its character comes alive in the everyday rhythm of this Kent gem. The mix of high-street favourites and distinctive independent stores keeps its shopping scene ever-present, alongside pop-up markets where fresh produce, eclectic crafts and vintage treasures can be found. Take this further and visit the renowned, award-winning Bluewater Shopping Centre, just a 40-minute bus ride away on the Arriva 700 from Chatham and home to over 300 stores. The bus fare is only £3 each way too!

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/find-a-service/700-chatham-to-bluewater-shopping-centre

If shopping isn’t your thing, Chatham has something a little more high-energy and adrenaline fuelled up its sleeve. One of the UK’s most iconic outdoor karting tracks sits on the outskirts of Chatham, Buckmore Park Kart Circuit, where anyone from beginners to F1 champions can experience the same high speeds and exhilarating twists that Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton once did in this very place. There’s also Platform 26 Padel, a lively sports and social hub that’s home to two state-of-the-art courts for one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK right now. Chatham Town FC, a semi-professional football club is also based here and, established in 1882, is one of the oldest football clubs in England.

After the sports have worked up an appetite, Chatham is not short on places to refuel. Waterfront restaurant, bar and hotel, Ship and Trades offers beautiful views of the famous Chatham marina so you can fine-dine in style, whilst the Sultan Restaurant, next to Chatham station, serves some of the best Indian food in Kent, using fresh, local ingredients for true culinary delight.

For something a little more exuberant, enjoy live music, tacos, tapas and cocktails at Poco Loco, a Spanish-Mexican fusion restaurant that’s a buzzing hot spot for Chatham residents and beyond.

On the topic of Chatham residents…the humble Kent town is home to some famous faces, from history to the present-day. Charles Dickens moved to Chatham with his family when he was only five years old, the wider Medway towns inspiring some of his most powerful work, including Great Expectations, one of the most popular books to have ever been written. Singer-songwriter Kid Harpoon was born and raised in Chatham, best known for writing songs for numerous big-name artists like Harry Styles and Florence + The Machine.

More recently, Chatham has also found itself in front of the camera. Its historic dockyard has become the filming location for TV and film – everything from period drama to contemporary thrillers. Productions such as Call the Midwife, Les Misérables, The Crown, Peaky Blinders and Sherlock Holmes have all filmed in and around here, using Chatham’s well-preserved architecture to bring the British backdrop of these acclaimed works to life.

One of the most brilliant aspects about Chatham is its connection to such fantastic places around it. In just a ten minute bus ride away, you’re able to visit the stunning Rochester, which draws in millions of visitors every year for its incredible castle, cathedral and deep literary heritage.

Visit Gillingham and Capstone Farm County Park for scenic countryside walks, or even the Isle of Grain, a wistful marshland that’s landscape feels otherworldly. These neighbouring destinations only add to Chatham’s appeal, making the town a gateway to history, nature and contemporary when you choose to use it as your base. So too, be sure to visit the atmospheric St. Mary’s Island, a short bus ride on the Arriva 101 from the town centre.

Whilst Chatham might not often be associated with tourism, then that’s an unwise underestimation of the pleasures that can be had in this historic town. This Kent nook truly encapsulates Britain’s diverse, deep-rooted culture, where past and present exist simultaneously and where the everyday is just as captivating as the historic. If Chatham is not on your UK bucket list yet, it should be – it’s a town waiting to be rediscovered. So, be sure to check out your next bus to Chatham…

https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200161/travel/516/bus_services