'''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