'''Gillingham''' [http://www.medway.gov.uk/visitingmedway.htm] is a town on the River Medway in the north of the English county of Kent. Together with its neighbouring towns of Rochester and Chatham it forms a large urban area known as the Medway Towns.

There is also a town of Gillingham in Dorset.

Get in

By car

  • From London, take the A2 arterial road (32 miles / 51 km).
  • From Canterbury, take the A2 and the M2 to Junction 3 for the Rochester exit (32 miles / 51 km, about 40 mins).
  • By train

    Trains are operated by [http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/ SouthEastern] From London Charing Cross (via Dartford) (typical journey time 60 - 65 minutes) and Victoria (typical journey time 45 - 60 minutes). Trains from Ramsgate and Dover also serve Chatham. When buying a rail ticket, make clear that it is Gillingham in Kent that you want (not the one in Dorset).

    Get around

    Local buses are operated by Arriva [http://www.arrivabus.co.uk].

    See

  • '''Royal Engineers Museum''', Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham, ME4 4UG, +44 (0)1634 822839. [http://www.remuseum.org.uk] Tues - Fri 9.00am to 5.00pm, Sat - Sun 11.30am - 5.00pm Adult - __6.35 for a ticket that allows you to come back for further visits within a year. Museum on military engineering. A quite extensive collection that takes about half a day to see. Of most interest to fans of British Military history or civil engineering. The outside collection of tank mounted bridges etc can be see for free.
  • Do

  • '''Cruise''' on the Kingswear Castle Paddle Steamer [http://www.pskc.freeserve.co.uk]
  • Watch '''Gillingham FC''' play football [http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk].
  • '''Chatham Dry Ski Slope''', Alpine Park, Capstone Road, Gillingham. ME7 3JH 01634 827979 [http://www.chathamskislope.co.uk].
  • '''The Ice Bowl Gillingham''', Ambley Road, Gillingham Business Park, Gillingham, ME8 0PU 01634 388477 [http://www.theicebowl.co.uk]
  • Buy

    Eat

    Gillingham has a range of places to eat. <b> Hollywood Bowl </b> A newly extended lively restaurant located in the high street, an American Hollywood style restaurant beautifully decorated with old photos and a great menu including burgers and ribs. Visit http://www.thehollywoodbowl.co.uk for more details.

    <b> Thai Won Mien </b> Really popular oriental restaurant with a mixture foods including noodles, duck and other oriental staples.

  • Spice Court. 6-58 Balmoral Road. 1634850150. ww.spicecourt.net. Indian restaurant opposite the railway station. Good value and quality of food. An award winning up market restaurant. Sunday Buffet for only __8.50 and you can eat as much as you like. Very popular with the locals and beyond.
  • Beijing Inn. Chinese restaurant just off the High Street.
  • Ossie's Fish and Chips. On Richmond Road (continuation of James Street) about 1/2 mile north of the High Street. best fish and chips in the area.

    Drink

    Sleep

    The Medway Council list accommodation on their website [http://www.medway.gov.uk/accommodations-search.asp].
  • '''Medway Youth Hostel''', Capstone Road, Gillingham, ME7 3JE 0870 770 5964 [http://www.yha.org.uk]. 40 bed summer hostel about 3 miles from Gillingham, housed in a districtive converted Oast House in a semi-rural setting.
  • '''The King Charles Hotel''', Brompton Road, Gillingham, ME7 5QT +44 (0) 1634 830 303 [http://www.kingcharleshotel.co.uk] Single room __44 per night.
  • '''Premier Travel Inn''', Will Adams Way, Gillingham, ME8 6BY 08701 977 105 [http://www.premiertravelinn.com] Rooms from __56 per night. Chain hotel in a location that may not be convenient if you don't have a car.
  • Get out