Discover the 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 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 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

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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 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 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 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 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 t 1

A S lf S6 2 Rochester Castle a H S7 3 Rochester Cathedral

RW 4 Guildhall Museum 5 Restoration House 6 7 St Mary Magdalene, Gillingham 8 Dickens World S8 9 Royal EngineersS M9 useum Iwade ay 10 The Historic DocS10kyard Chatham W 11 Berengrave Nature Reserve Shore 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 , 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. Many are also available as PDFs from the following websites: www.msep.org.uk www.medway.gov.uk (see Public The Countryside Code Rights of Way) and Respect – Protect – Enjoy www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent • Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs. • Leave gates and property as you find them. • Protect plants and animals and take your litter home. • Keep dogs under close control. For further information, please phone 08451 003298 or visit www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk

What’s in a name? Chatham – Forest Village Distance: 4 miles (6.4km) Upnor to Time: Allow 2 hours Terrain: Some surfaced paths and roads. A long - a circular walk stretch of beach. One fairly steep path.

1 Upnor Castle 3 St Mary’s Island on the northern side of 6 Hoo Fort Built in the 16th century Throughout much of the the river. The smaller Hoo Fort and its near and designed to defend 19th century, huge prison stone is thought to have neighbour Darnet were from hulks were moored along originally come from built in the 1870s as part attack. the river, including just Yantlet creek. of the defences against an off the St Mary’s Island. expected French invasion. 2 Upnor High Street 5 Cockham Wood Fort A charming cobbled 4 The Stones Built in the late 16th 7 St Werburgh Church street lined with terraced These two obelisks mark century as a direct result The church dates mainly weather- boarded houses, the southern extent of of the Dutch raid in from the 14th century, leading down towards the ’s 1667, the fort originally but stands on the site of a the river. fisherman’s rights to fish held 48 guns. much older Saxon building.

Public house Car parking Refreshments Toilet Caution Out and about

There are a number of locations within Medway, where you can get closer to the estuary, its wildlife and enjoy stunning views.

Grain Country Park Northward Hill Located on the eastern tip of the Hoo Standing on a ridge high above the Peninsula, this 18-hectare site provides north Kent marshes, it offers excellent excellent opportunities for walking, views across the adjoining Thames bird watching or simply enjoying the Estuary. The reserve is the RSPB’s stunning views across the Thames and oldest, established in 1955. Medway estuaries. Access is by car or 01634 222480 www.rspb.org.uk/reserves Berengrave Local limited bus service. ∏ Ω ~ ∫ ∏ Ω ~ Nature Reserve È e l

From 1901 until 1931 the reserve was a D

l e

used as a chalk quarry, before being a h c i M

left derelict up until the early 1970s. r l l C

Today it is home to at least 89 different © species of bird and over 426 species of flora, including 83 types of fungi. 01634 337432 www.friendsofberengrave.btik.com ∫ Ω ∏ Great Lines Heritage Park Broomhill Park The steep, south-facing slope of the Great Lines dominates the Chatham skyline This hidden gem stands upon Strood’s and offers fantastic views towards Rochester and beyond. The site is crowned by highest hill, offering stunning views the spectacular Royal Naval Memorial, which commemorates more than 8,500 across Medway. sailors lost in the First World War. The wide expanse of grassland supports 01634 333333 numerous species of important flora and fauna. www.medway.gov.uk 01634 331176 www.chathamworldheritage.org.uk ∏ Ω ~ È ∏ Ω ~

What’s in a name? Upnor – Upon the bank Riverside Country Park With stunning estuary views and attractive walks, the park is perfect for families to become acquainted with the North Kent Marshes. 01634 337432 www.visitmedway.org ∫ ∏ Z Ω ~ È

Ranscombe Farm The Strand Nature Reserve Situated by the Medway at Upnor The original high street is a charming Ranscombe Farm Nature Reserve, in Gillingham, The Strand is a popular cobbled street lined with terraced, Cuxton, is set on the North Downs of location for families. Attractions weather-boarded houses leading Kent with spectacular views along the include crazy golf, children’s paddling down to Upnor Castle and the river. Medway Valley. The reserve has more pool and miniature railway. www.visitmedway.org than 6 miles of footpaths, a great 01634 333333 www.visitmedway.org ∫ Z Ω ~ opportunity to explore and enjoy over ∫ Z Ω ~ È 600 acres of woodlands, arable fields and meadows. 01722 342730 www.plantlife.org.uk ∏ Ω ~ Key ∫ Waterside ∏ Wildlife Z Refreshments available Ω On-site parking Ω Parking nearby ~ Great views È Wheelchair accessible

What’s in a name? Grain (Isle of) – Sandy or gravelly shore Visitor attractions

The area is home to a number of superb museums and historical buildings, many of which reflect the estuary’s extensive maritime and military heritage.

Attractions Historical Buildings Dickens World Fort Amherst Rochester Cathedral Monday – Friday: 10am - 4.30pm Parklands: Dawn until dusk Monday – Sunday, 7.30am – 6pm (Last admission 3pm) Closed Mondays Buildings: Phone for times (Saturday, 5pm) from September 2012 - Easter 2013 01634 847747 01634 843366 www.fortamherst.com www.rochestercathedral.org Weekends:10am - 5.30pm (Last admission 4pm) Restoration House Six Poor Travellers House 01634 890421 Thursday and Friday, 10am – 5pm (Rochester) www.dickensworld.co.uk (June – September), phone or visit Monday – Sunday, 10.30am – 4.30pm the website for additional dates (March – October) Guildhall Museum (Rochester) 01634 848520 01634 845609 Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 4.30pm www.restorationhouse.co.uk www.visitmedway.org 01634 848717 www.visitmedway.org Rochester Castle Temple Manor (Strood) Monday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 3pm Museum (April – September) and 10am – 4pm (April – October) Tuesday – Sunday (October – March) 01634 333333 Phone for opening times 01634 335882 www.visitmedway.org 01634 822839 www.visitmedway.org www.re-museum.org.uk Upnor Castle St Mary Magdalene (Gillingham) Monday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm The Historic Dockyard Chatham Phone for opening hours (April – September) and 10am – 4pm Monday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm 01634 850529 (October) (4pm from 31 October onwards) 01634 718742 01634 823800 www.visitmedway.org www.thedockyard.co.uk

What’s in a name? Rainham – Settlement of the ruling or powerful men Festivals and events in Medway

January Medway Barge Match Will Adams Festival Annual barge race. Celebrate the life and works Chinese New Year www.medwaybargematch.co.uk of Gillingham-born Will Adams One of Britain’s largest Chinese Starting at Gillingham Pier - England’s first Samurai. New Year celebrations. Gillingham Park Chatham June The Capstone Festival Medway River Festival Free kites ‘n’ bikes event with Boat races, ships and stunt displays and workshops. on-shore activities. Capstone Farm Country Park Chatham Waterfront July

Rochester Dickens Festival Castle Concerts October Street parades, entertainment, Four nights of great music. Black History month Rochester Castle Gardens March and costumed characters. Celebrating diverse cultures Rochester and traditions. Medway Festival of September Various locations Steam and Transport FUSE Medway Festival Medieval Merriment Specialist vehicles and A free celebration of arts Medieval re-enactment Kent’s Coastal Week entertainment for all. and creativity, from live Rochester Castle www.kent.gov.uk/coastalweek Various locations across Kent Historic Dockyard Chatham street theatre to site-specific performances. Heritage Open Days April Various locations Heritage sites are open to November The English Festival the public for free. Bonfire and Fireworks Various locations Free family fun day Great Lines Heritage Park celebrating English culture. Riverside Country Park Salute to the 40s December Wartime entertainment, Dickensian Christmas fashion, vehicles and a host May Parades, stalls, carols, of re-enactors. Sweeps Festival Historic Dockyard Chatham guaranteed snow and May Day celebrations The Dutch are Coming costumed characters. including Morris dancers, Re-enactment and stories of Rochester music and childrens activities. the Dutch Raid of 1667. Rochester Upnor Castle

For more information on events in Medway visit www.whatsonmedway.co.uk or phone 01634 338141. For general information on Medway visit www.visitmedway.org Medway accommodation

Hotels St George Hotel HH Normandy House B&B HHHH Inns 7/8 New Road Avenue, Chatham 143 Road, Chatham Bridgewood Manor Hotel ME4 6BB ME4 6JE The Horseshoe & Castle HHHH 01634 841012 01634 843047 HHHH Bridgewood Roundabout, [email protected] [email protected] Main Road, Cooling, Rochester Walderslade Woods, Chatham www.george-hotel.co.uk www.bedandbreakfastchatham.co.uk ME3 8DJ ME5 9AX 01634 221691 01634 201333 Bed and breakfast Abigails B&B HHH [email protected] [email protected] www.horseshoeandcastle.co.uk 17 The Maltings, Rainham ME8 8JL www.qhotels.co.uk Officers Hill B&B 01634 365427 HHHHH Gold award [email protected] Self catering Holiday Inn Rochester - 7 College Road, Historic Dockyard, Chatham ME4 4QX Chatham HHHH Stable Cottages HHHH 01634 828436 Churchfields HH Silver award Maidstone Road, Chatham 6 Churchfields Terrace, St Margaret’s Fenn Croft, Newlands Farm Road, [email protected] St Mary Hoo, Rochester ME3 8RE ME5 9SF www.chathambandb.com Street, Rochester ME1 1TQ 0871 942 9069 01634 400679 01634 272439 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.holiday-inn.co.uk Orchard B&B www.churchfieldsbandb.co.uk www.stable-cottages.com HHHH Silver award Ramada Encore Hotel HHH 11 View Road, Cliffe Woods, The Sundial HH The Chimes HHH nr Rochester ME3 8JQ Western Avenue, Historic Dockyard, 18 Ranscombe Close, Strood, 6 Hawkwood Close, Rochester, 01634 222780 Chatham ME4 4NT Rochester ME2 2PB ME1 1HW [email protected] 01634 891677 01634 721831 01634 842923 www.orchardcottagekent.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.encorechatham.co.uk Salisbury House B&B Riverview Lodge HH HHHH Silver award Decoy Farm Cottages King Charles Hotel HHH 88 Borstal Road, Rochester ME1 3BD 29 Watts Avenue, Rochester ME1 1RX (Awaiting grading) 01634 842241 Brompton Road, Gillingham 01634 400182 Decoy Hill Road, , ME7 5QT [email protected] Nr Rochester ME3 8SR 01634 830303 www.riverviewlodge-rochester.co.uk 01634 256185 [email protected] Cedar House HHHH [email protected] www.kingcharleshotel.co.uk 66 Priestfields, Rochester, ME1 3AB The Cottage 01634 324175 (Awaiting grading) [email protected] Caravan holiday park Gordon House Hotel HH 66 Borstal Road, Rochester ME1 3BD www.cedarhouserochester.co.uk 91 High St, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 403888 Allhallows Leisure Park [email protected] 01634 831000 Avery Way, Allhallows, Nr Rochester HHHH [email protected] Greystones B&B ME3 9QD www.gordonhousehotel.net 25 Watts Avenue, Rochester ME1 1RX 01634 270385 01634 409565 [email protected] [email protected] www.haven.com/allhallows www.greystonesbandb.org.uk

What’s in a name? Hoo – Spur of land Further information

Local authority Wildlife advice Boating Kent and Essex IFCA www.kentandessex-ifca.gov.uk Medway Council Natural England Medway Yachting 01843 585310 www.medway.gov.uk www.naturalengland.org.uk 01634 333333 Association 0845 6003078 www.medwayya.co.uk Tidal information Visitor information Environment Agency A copy of the official tide table www.environment-agency.gov.uk Royal Yachting can be bought for £2, from Peel www.visitmedway.org 08708 506506 Association Ports – 01795 596596 www.whatsonmedway.co.uk www.rya.org.uk http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk [email protected] Kent Wildlife Trust www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast/ 01634 338141 tides www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk Fishing 01622 662012 Ports and marine safety Angling Trust Kent Police Rural and www.anglingtrust.net Maritime and Environmental Crime 0844 7700616 Coastguard Agency 01622 654007 www.mcga.gov.uk The Medway Swale Estuary Partnership 0870 6006505 RSPB www.rspb.org.uk The partnership’s work is centred on raising awareness Peel Ports Medway 01795 665969 of the estuary’s environmental, economic and social (Navigation Service) importance, managing competing demands and 01795 663025 Wildfowling www.medwayports.com increasing knowledge of the estuary through research, [email protected] Kent Wildfowling and publications and educational activities. If you would like RNLI Conservation Association to find out more about the partnership, then visit www.rnli.org.uk/seasafety www.kentwildfowlers.co.uk www.msep.org.uk or email [email protected] 0800 3280600 07836 771715

Kent Police Marine Unit Suggested further reading 07772 226213 (Medway) Walking the Saxon Shore Way through Medway (PDF available from www.msep.org.uk) – Project Kraken Medway Council/MSEP (counter terrorism hotline) The Saxon Shore Way – Alan Sillitoe and Fay Godwin – ISBN 0091514606, Hutchinson (out of print) www.kent.police.uk The Medway Prison Hulks by Keith Gulvin – ISBN 1908067004, Estuary Books No1 0800 789321 (published by www.l-13.org priced £9.99) Waterlog by Roger Deakin – ISBN 0099282550, Vintage The National Water River Medway & Swale by Robert Simper – ISBN 0951992775, Creekside Publishing Safety Forum Salt Marsh & Mud by Nick Ardley – ISBN 9781848684911, Amberley Publishing www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk 0870 7772171 Typical Birds of the Medway & Swale (available free from www.msep.org.uk) Published by: Medway Council 2012 Text: MSEP Photography: MSEP, Robert Canis (www.robertcanis.com), RSPB Map courtesy of Medway Yachting Association While every care is taken in compiling this publication, neither Medway Council nor its servants or agents can accept any liability whatsoever for any incorrect statement contained herein, nor any omission.

G7126 Designed by Medway Council’s Communications Team www.medway.gov.uk/communications