The Medway Estuary
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Discover the Medway Estuary Welcome to the Medway Estuary d Welcome to this new guide to the Medway Estuary, an invaluable aid for those looking to explore and make the most of this stunning area. People have lived and worked both economically and habitat for thousands of on or around the estuary for environmentally. As a major breeding and wintering birds. thousands of years. As a result it trading route, it is home to These birds are so important is rich in both archaeological and several important shipping that the estuary is protected historical remains including: terminals, handling a wide range by both national and Prehistoric droveways (used to of products and raw materials. international designations. move cattle); Roman pottery kiln Since 1995 it has also played a sites; Anglo Saxon fish traps key role in the UK’s energy Whether you are looking to relax (known as Snowt Weirs); supply network, with power in the glow of incredible beauty, numerous military installations, stations at Kingsnorth and Grain. or get active on water or land, going as far back as the 11th the estuary has something for century and two historic dockyards. Despite this industrial landscape everybody. Simply respect the the estuary continues to delicate balance of nature and the Today the estuary is of national support an impressively diverse area will continue to inspire future and international significance, ecosystem, providing the perfect generations. Happy exploring! On the water Getting out on the water is a Boating Venture Centre in Upnor provides unique way to experience what The estuary is home to a fantastic training in a number of watersports, makes the estuary so vital. array of yacht clubs and marinas, including sailing and canoeing. Join an organised bird cruise and offering a wide range of recreational get closer to the internationally- and competitive sailing activities. Fishing important populations of Most clubs have visitor moorings, Fishing is still very much a part of wading and waterfowl birds. which are available upon request. estuary life, both commercially and Or if you prefer history, there For those who don’t own a boat as a recreational past time. To find are numerous fortifications to there are still great ways to explore out more about recreational fishing discover along the water’s edge. the estuary. Join a bird watching trip in the area, simply visit your local Of course, if you just want to get at Gillingham Pier or on the tackle and bait shop. If you intend to away from it all, the estuary is a Kingswear Castle Paddle Steamer, dig for your own bait in the estuary, tranquil haven amidst the hustle which leaves from Rochester and please follow Natural England’s and bustle of the south-east. Chatham. In addition the Arethusa Bait Digging Code which can be downloaded at www.msep.org.uk Personal water craft Opportunities for riding personal water crafts in the estuary are extremely limited. If you are in any doubt as to where you can legally ride, please contact Peel Ports Medway, see further information . Please also refer to the PWC Code of Conduct which can be downloaded at www.msep.org.uk k c o d l a B l e h c a R © What’s in a name? Medway – Sweet water What to look out for Wildlife Brent geese Curlew Little egret Oyster catcher Turnstone Common seal Avocet History Upnor Castle Rochester Castle Cockham Wood Fort Darnet Fort The importance of the estuary's amended by the Crow Act 2000 • Not getting too close, as this will ecosystem has been recognised (www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk). help minimise the disturbance to by the following designations: feeding and roosting birds, saving them valuable energy. • Special Protection Areas (SPA), Please help protect its natural classified under the EC Directive environment by: • Where possible,using only on the Conservation of Wild official moorings. • Not alighting on the many Birds (www.jncc.defra.gov.uk). privately owned islands, which • Observing speed limits, navigation • Wetland of International often act as high tide roosts for rules and byelaws. Importance, under the Ramsar birds. This will reduce the • Observing Natural England's bait Convention (www.ramsar.org). chances of them abandoning digging regulations (available at their nests. The islands also • Site of Special Scientific Interest www.msep.org.uk) support a number of rare and (SSSIs), designation under the important plant species. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, What’s in a name? Halstow (Higher and Lower) – Holy Place Enjoying the water Water sports Medway Bridge Marina Whitton Marine www.medwaybridgemarina.co.uk www.whittonmarine.com Arethusa Watersports Centre 01634 843576 01634 250593 www.arethusa.org.uk Medway Cruising Club Wilsonian Sailing Club 01634 719933 www.medwaycruisingclub.org.uk www.wilsoniansc.org.uk Medway Watersports Centre 01634 856489 01634 250318 www.medwaywatersportscentre.org Medway Sailability 01634 338754 07778 300824 Fishing clubs Medway Towns Rowing Club Kentmed Boat Fishing Club Clubs, marinas and moorings www.medwaytownsrowingclub.co.uk 07972 406518 www.aacnet.org.uk/kentmed Beacon Boatyard 01622 808449 Medway Yacht Club www.beaconboatyard.co.uk Medway Rollers 01634 841320 www.medwayyachtclub.com 01634 718399 www.medwayrollerssac.co.uk Chatham Maritime Marina www.mdlmarinas.co.uk PWC Allhallows Yacht Club 01634 899200 Personal watercraft. 07919 021210 Gillingham Marina www.gillingham-marina.co.uk Rochester Cruising Club 01634 280022 www.rochestercc.co.uk 01634 841350 Hollowshore Cruising Club www.hollowshorecc.co.uk Royal Naval Sailing Association (Medway branch) Hoo Marina 01634 200970 www.hoomarina.com 01634 250311 Segas Sailing Club www.segassailingclub.co.uk Hoo Ness Yacht Club 01634 855365 www.hooness.org.uk 01634 250052 Strood Yacht Club Charters www.stroodyachtclub.co.uk Hundred of Hoo Sailing Club 01634 718261 www.hundredofhoosc.org.uk Edith May Trading Company 01634 250102 Upnor Sailing Club www.edithmaybargecharter.co.uk www.upnorsailing.co.uk 01634 365343 Lower Halstow Yacht Club 07092 197923 www.lhyc.org.uk Julie Sue – Bird Watching & Fishing Victory Moorings 01634 233957 or 07803 238821 Mariners Farm Boatyard 07785 971797 www.marinersboatyard.co.uk Kingswear Castle Paddlesteamer 01634 233179 www.kingswearcastle.co.uk 01634 827648 15 Medway Estuary Visitor chart Notes on navigation Bridges Met res The main navigable channels, coloured The River Medway above Rochester S dark blue, are clearly marked by Bridge shoals appreciably and at low a x buoys, and are easy to follow. The tide only provides an average of 0.9 - o middle reaches of the River Medway 1.2m of water in its upper reaches. n and Swale are bounded by extensive Rochester Bridge air draft 5.9m (19'6") S h mudflats and saltings, coloured light MHWS. o r blue, which are covered at high water e and provide many secondary channels. W These channels should only be a y attempted with local knowledge. The inexperienced should be aware of straying too far from the main Kingsnorth Power Station navigable channel, coloured dark blue, Chimney to prevent grounding on a falling tide. Hoo 32 19 31 2 23 Upnor 22 20 1 30A Bn St Mary’s Island 3 Bn Hoo Island RW 30 25 Medway Tunnel 29 Bn 24 8 27 Folly Point Strood 28 26 Nor Marsh 10 Bn Bn Rochester Bridge 9 7 4 Gillingham 2 14 13 3 5 6 34 12 Rochester 11 Medway Bridge 16 Chatham O Rainham This chart should not to be used for naviga tion 9 Key to buoys Grain Edge Green standard - keep right up the river 11 Red port - keep right down the river W Cant Yellow - danger Grain Grain Hard Black - commercial mooring Garrison Chimney Point Grain Power Station Beach Communication channels Thamesport Container Terminal N Kent Stoke Saltings VHF radio 37 and 80 for Marinas (M1) Victoria S Kent • VHF radio 16 for emergencies Stoke Queenboro(Tuhgahm Spesit Coastguard) 13 12 • VHF radio 74 Medway VTS Blackstakes • Peel Ports Medway requires you to BRB W Bulwark 14 Stangate Spit continually monitor channels 16 and 74 E Bulwark Burntwick Island Speed limits S1 A 6 knot speed limit operates west S2 15 k S4 S3 of Folly Point. An 8 knot speed limit 16 e e operates in the adjacent Swale. 17 r C k 18 e e e t S5 r a C g Visitor attractions e n r c a Upnor Castle t 1 A S lf S6 2 Rochester Castle a H S7 3 Rochester Cathedral RW 4 Guildhall Museum 5 Restoration House 6 Fort Amherst 7 St Mary Magdalene, Gillingham 8 Dickens World S8 9 Royal EngineersS M9 useum Iwade ay 10 The Historic DocS10kyard Chatham re W 11 Berengrave Nature Reserve Sho xon 12 Riverside CounS11try Park Otterham Quay Sa 13 Temple Manor Lower Halstow 14 Six Poor Travellers House 15 Northward Hill 16 Ranscombe Farm NLilliesature Reserve N Ferry Elmley On the land - what to see and where to go Walking Cycling The area’s network of public footpaths are a great way to explore To explore the area by bike, take the estuary’s stunning coastline and advantage of the Heron Trail nearby historic villages and towns. on the Hoo Peninsula, as well as One of the most popular routes is Sustrans National Cycle Route the Saxon Shore Way, which allows No 1, which is closely aligned to walkers to roughly follow the Kent the Saxon Shore Way. and Sussex coastline as it was Visit www.medway.gov.uk around 1,600 years ago. www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent or www.sustrans.org.uk for There are a number of publications further information. detailing the area’s walking routes; available from local tourist information centres (see further information) and selected libraries.