Gillingham forms part of the Medway conurbation in Kent. From Old English ‘ham’ meaning village or homestead and ‘ingas’ meaning family or followers, the name simply means ‘homestead of Gillia’s family and was first recorded in the 10th century as Gyllingeham. The G is pronounced J as it is also referred to in old texts as Jillyingham. A small hamlet consisting mainly of farmland, after the Norman Conquest William the Conqueror gave it to his half-brother Odo of Bayeux who rebuilt the parish church of St Mary Magdalene and constructed an archbishop’s palace. Queen Elizabeth I founded the dockyard, on the site of the present gun wharf, it being transferred to its present site in 1622. The part of Gillingham known as Grange formed a limb of the Cinque Ports in medieval times and the maritime importance of the area continued until the late1940’s. The Raid on Medway took place in 1667 when a Dutch fleet sailed up the river, landed on the Isle of Sheppey, laid siege to the fort at Sheerness and invaded Gillingham. Although the Dutch eventually retreated, it caused great humiliation and in 1756, at the beginning of the Seven Year War, orders were given for the defence of the dockyard and so the Chatham Lines of Defence were built. They were strengthened in 1778 when the war with France began again. With the expansion of the dockyards, more and more homes were needed and the population grew but the position of the Lines meant developing beyond, so the whole settlement became known as Gillingham. When the dockyard ceased to be a naval base in 1984, the area suffered great unemployment. Today, much of it is a designated World Heritage Site. The Roman road known as Watling Street passed through Gillingham and was the main route to Dover until the 1960’s when the A2 became the M2 and bypassed the Medway towns.
Attraction
Capstone Farm Country Park
Royal Engineers Museum
Budget
Premier Inn Gillingham *book online*
Premier Inn Gillingham A2 *book online*
Travelodge Medway M2 *book online*
Classes
Dance - The Splinters School of Dance
Club
Dentist
Brompton Dental Practice
The Dental Surgery
Doctor
Canterbury Street Practice
Malvern Road Surgery
St Werburgh Medical Practice
The Health Centre
The Medical Centre
Golf Club
Market
Pub and Bar
Barge (The)
Black Lion
Burnt Oak
Cannon
Dog & Bone
Falcon Inn
King George VI
Napier Arms
Queens Head Harvester
Southern Belle
Three Mariners
Viscount Harding
Will Adams
Restaurant
Alisha
Anne Boelyn Restaurant & Carvery
Hollywood Bowl
King Charles Hotel
Queens Head Harvester
Rowlands Bistro
Ship Resturant
Tai Won Mein
Three Mariners
Solicitor
Beckett SolicitorsDugdale Solicitors
Whyte & Co Solicitors
Taxi
Club Taxis
CNC Taxis
Express Travel
Gillingham Taxis
Mini Bus Hire Gillingham
Station Taxis 24/7
Taxi Van
Vet
Sports Clubs
Axko Judo Club (Martial Arts)
Gillingham Anchorians (Men's Hockey)
Gillingham Anchorians (Women's Hockey)
Gillingham Football Club (Football)
Rainham Judo Club (Martial Arts)
Shops
The Book Exchange
Sussex Stationers PLC
Little Covent Garden
Forget Me Not
Wyevale Garden Centre
Barn Pet Centre
Pets TLC
Westlake Pharmacy
Rayner Opticians
Tips
J A J Shoes
Carphone Warehouse
Image Art
Gillingham Gallery
H Samuel
Wallis
Ernest Jones
Peacocks
Dreams
Lloyds Pharmacy
Skatetrax.biz
Specsavers
Bowden and Lowe. Opticians and Contact Lens Specialists
Slinders Balloons
Slinders Florist
Photographs for All Occasions
Photo Memories
JJ’s Furniture
BHS
Activities
Black Lion Archery Club(Archery)
The Ice Bowl(Skating)
Chatham Ski & Snowboard Centre(Snow Sports)
Places to Stay near Gillingham
King Charles Hotel (0.33 miles)
The Ship & Trades (1.14 miles)
One of the jewels in Shepherd Neame's crown, The Ship & Trades is a spacious and stylish pub with accommodation overlooking a yacht basin.
The upstairs level has marvellous views across the Medway towards Upnor Castle ... More | visit website
Premier Inn Gillingham (1.65 miles)
Travelodge Medway M2 (2.26 miles)
There are loads of reasons our customers choose to stay at Travelodge. Our great value clean and comfortable rooms with en-suite provide everything needed for a good night's sleep and are close to where people ... More | visit website
Premier Inn Gillingham A2 (2.44 miles)
Lightship16 Apartments (2.81 miles)
Holiday Inn Rochester - Chatham (3.15 miles)
A warm welcome awaits you at the Holiday Inn Rochester - Chatham hotel situated within easy reach of the Medway towns of Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham. Plentiful on-site parking is available for all our guests. Our ... More | visit website
Bridgewood Manor (3.49 miles)
Bridgewood Manor Hotel is conveniently situated for excellent shopping at Bluewater and sightseeing at the historical city of Rochester, the fascinating Chatham Historic dockyards and the new Dickens World attraction. This hotel offers fine dining ... More | visit website
Inn on the Lake (6.02 miles)
Detling Coach House (6.10 miles)
Detling Coach house is an old converted property set in a quiet, secure location. We are set on the stunning Kent's North Downs Way yet situated between M2 junction 5 and M20 junction 7, just off the ... More | visit website
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