Gravesend Area Guide

Gravesend is a vibrant town that offers you the very best of Kent living – from countryside walks and scenic river views to easy transport links with London. With plenty of child-friendly days out on the doorstep, property in Gravesend is an excellent choice for families too.

Welcome to Gravesend

Rich in history and literary connections, Gravesend is situated close to the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A diverse and friendly town, it’s home to the magnificent Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara – one of the largest Sikh temples in Europe – along with many excellent schools, shops and restaurants. The Bluewater Shopping Centre is close by too, giving you access to all its retail and leisure facilities.

Gravesend is a great choice for families

Families looking for property in Gravesend will be pleased to learn there are some highly regarded schools in the local area. These include Bronte School, an independent preparatory school for pupils aged three to 11, and Mayfield Grammar for girls and Gravesend Grammar for boys. For little ones, there's Riverview Junior School and Singlewell Primary, while North West Kent College offers further and higher education courses as well as apprenticeships for older students.

Getting around in Gravesend

Gravesend and nearby Ebbsfleet offer high-speed train services to London that are ideal for commuting and city breaks. You’ll find direct trains leaving Gravesend for London Victoria and Cannon Street every hour, with journey times of just 60 minutes and 50 minutes respectively. Ebbsfleet offers 22-minute journeys to St Pancras, with trains departing every half an hour.

A short history of Gravesend

Gravesend boasts a fascinating array of historical and literary connections. At St George's Parish Church, you can see a monument to Pocahontas, who died at Gravesend on a journey to Virginia in 1617. The town is also known for its links to Charles Dickens, who visited the village several times during his life and died at nearby Higham in 1870.

Sports and Leisure in Gravesend

Sport plays a vital role in the local community, and Gravesend boasts its own rugby and football clubs, with nearby Ebbsfleet Town also enjoying popular support. Fitness fans will be pleased to hear the Cascades Leisure Centre offers facilities for sports including volleyball and badminton, together with a health spa, gym suite and dance studio, while nearby Mid Kent Golf Club boasts an 18-hole downland course.

Dining and Days Out in Gravesend

Property in Gravesend benefits from access to a bustling high street and scenic riverside walks, and some highly rated places to eat and drink. Favourite venues include Caesars Italian and Chattorey Indian restaurants, as well as Twin Dynasty, which serves delicious Chinese dishes. Head to Invicta Bar for beer and burgers, or sample family-friendly pub grub at The Goose, which hosts regular pub quiz nights that trivia fans will love.