Gravesend
Getting around
Gravesend is ideally located for transport links with easy access to the M25, M20 and M2 via the A2. The town features a train station with regular services across Kent and into London, in under an hour. There are multiple bus routes available from the centre of Gravesend, giving residents regular services to Bluewater Shopping Centre, Ebbsfleet International and across Kent and Essex. Watermans Park will be served by the 481 and 483 bus.
A trip to the shops
If a spot of retail therapy is more of what you're looking for then the town centre offers a variety of popular retail stores, independent boutiques and local amenities. Gravesend boasts one of the oldest Chartered Borough markets in Kent and celebrated its 750th birthday in 2018,the market operates 6 days a week. On the edge of town, the Imperial Retail Park boasts large brand retailers. For more comprehensive shopping visit Bluewater which boasts over 350 brand names, 50 restaurants and bars along with a 17-screen cinema. It also holds numerous events and exhibitions throughout the year.
Taking time out
If you wish to find out about the history of the town then the local council offers three historic tours. One of Gravesend's most notable residents was the author Charles Dickens who wrote Great Expectations at the nearby Gad's Hill Place and the Pickwick Papers at Cobham Hall.
There are numerous places of historic importance to visit in Gravesend, including the magnificent Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara; Europe's largest Sikh place of worship. Another notable find is Gravesend's Cold War Bunker with its 13 rooms taking you back in time to the 1950s.
The countryside to the south and east of Gravesend is an exceptional Area of Outstanding National Beauty. Explore the ancient forests of Shorne Woods Country Park or visit the Cyclopark. A purpose built multi sports centre for cycling, running and extreme sports. It also offers a play area and 'safety village' for younger visitors to discover. There is a caf? onsite alongside spaces to bring a picnic. The borough has two leisure centres. Cascades and Cygnet, both of which provide leisure facilities for all the family.
Education
There are numerous schools in Gravesend. Local Preschools include The Owl Pre-School and Little Explorers Kindergarden and Nursery Woodlands. Junior schools include; Shears Green Infant and Junior Schools, and Saint George's Church of England Primary School. For Secondary schools, options include Northfleet school for Girls, Northfleet Technology College and Saint George's Church of England School.
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