Gillingham guidebook

Like all of the Medway Towns, Gillingham has strong maritime and military connections and its history and identity are intimately bound up with the river that forms its northern border.

But Gillingham isn't quite like Rochester or Chatham. The former has its castle, cathedral and quirky high street; the latter a plethora of high street stores and most of Medway's main cultural institutions (theatres, cinemas, museums etc).

Compared with these Gillingham seems a bit bereft, though this, as we shall see, is a rather unfair conclusion - the place has some unique attractions and much to recommend it.

However, if first impressions count for anything, they certainly don't do it any great favours. Step out of the station and you find yourself on the high street, and this, it has to be admitted, is no great shakes.

True, it's broad, paved, pedestrianised and improved with some judicious planting of trees, but it's home to cafs rather than cafes, kebab shops rather than restaurants, Woolies, Peacocks and Iceland rather than, say, Debenhams and M&S (see Chatham).

The potential is clearly there, but for the moment you won't be beating a path to Gillingham for the shops, fine dining, or numerous cultural attractions. However, that doesn't mean you should scratch it off your list of prospective places to live.

Why? Well, to begin with Gillingham's housing stock is quite impressive. Thanks to some well-established new-build developments to the south, notably Darland and the upmarket Hempstead, it's a tad more expensive than Chatham (though a bit behind Rochester).

However, like all of the Medway towns, its still relatively affordable - there aren't many places in the South East where the average price of a terraced house (Q1, 2006) is just £132,000 and a flat edges just over the £100,000 mark.

Close to the centre of town there are some period beauties to be had for a fraction of what they'd cost elsewhere - large detached Edwardian homes (Upper Gillingham) and some gorgeous Georgian (Brompton).

And if you're a first-time buyer, there are cute three-bed period cottages in Poet's Corner for around £128,000 - though you can still find them below the stamp duty threshold (£125,000).

So the price of entry is a big plus for Gillingham, there's a good mix of period and new-build property, and like all of the Medway towns it's an easy commute to London.

Moreover, while Chatham and Rochester have more in the way of facilities, Gillingham has attractions that neither of these two possess - primarily some unique open spaces.

Gillingham is on the Medway, but once the river passes St Mary's Island, its banks give way and it opens out into a shining expanse of water traversed by pleasure craft and commercial shipping.

Stand on The Strand (park) and you can take in a panoramic view across Gillingham Reach to the tall chimney of the Kingsnorth Power Station and the marinas and boat yards of the Hoo Peninsula.

The river meets the sea here and the tides ebb to reveal miles of mudflats and salt marshes. The adjacent land is a complex eco-system of ponds, reed-beds, grassland and scrub that provides a fragile haven for a multitude of plants and wildlife.

It's also a haven for the residents - there are fabulous walks along the waterfront from the Strand all the way to, and through, the 100-hectare Riverside Country Park, where there are enough rare bird species to make Bill Oddie go really wild.

You're not quite by the sea here, but the wheeling gulls, sailing boats, and wide vistas across the water are all evocative of the seaside, an impression sharpened by the salty tang in the air.

There are walks, cycleways and horse trails through the grassland, picnic areas and wharfs, and a merciful lack of development and commercialisation (though there is an attractive collection of houses at Waterside Lane).

This marvellous and carefully protected swathe of greenery to the north is complemented by Capstone Country Park to the south - 140 hectares of former farmland with woodlands, orchards, a freshwater lake, meadows and hedgerows.

Between the two are Darland Banks - 45 hectares of chalk grassland, scrub and woodland, and the Great Lines, another tranche of chalk grassland between Gillingham and Chatham.

So wherever you live, you're likely to be close to nature. Factor in the prices, the good stock of housing, the quick links to London and the facilities of Chatham and Rochester next door and Gillingham adds up to both a very attractive and a very affordable proposition.

Where is it? The network of streets north of Jeffrey Street and either side of Richmond Road.

What's there: Fairly dense neighbourhood with lots of period terraces (Victorian, 30s) and some semis. Also some new-build. Splendid Georgian houses on Medway Road and smaller Georgian terraces on Mill Road.

Buyers: Investors have been busy here - it's near the university and there are lots of tenants. Also good for FTBs and young professionals who want an affordable home in the heart of town (station also close by).

Pros: Affordable, not too far to walk for a pint of milk (or a pint of whatever you fancy). Close to transport links, and Riverside Park is just across the A289.

Cons: A bit densely populated, quite a few students and renters. Not the best place to look for a big back garden.

Where is it? South of Lower Gillingham on the other side of Jeffrey Street and south of the train lines. Nelson Road runs through the middle. Ito Way is the border to the east and the A2 to the south.

What's there: Quite a mixture. Mostly neat period terraces (Victorian and 30s) though here they are a bit bigger than in Lower Gillingham. Also lots of semis and some detached houses of various periods (Victorian, 30s).

Impressive detached and semi-detached Edwardian homes around Gillingham Park (Park Evenue, Stuart Road, Oxford Road, Chester Road etc).

Popular three-bed cottages in Poet's Corner (Byron Road etc). New-build on Watling Street - Roman Gate by David Wilson Homes - and Nelson Road. The occasional Art Deco house.

Buyers: A popular neighbourhood - several schools, including Robert Napier - make it a favourite with families. Also close to Medway Maritime Hospital. FTBs gravitate towards the smaller terraces of Poet's Corner.

Pros: Central and close to transport links and schools. Also close to Gillingham Park, Priestfield Stadium and the golf course. Some lovely period properties.

Cons: No major drawbacks - lots of kids to contend with come chucking out time. Footie fans to contend with on match days.

Where is it? Runs from Gillingham Marina to Riverside Country Park.

What's there: Very attractive new-build development at Waterfront Lane. You can moor a boat at the Pier or something classier at the Marina or the Cruising Club at Waterfront Lane.

What's To Come? Plans for accommodation at the Marina and a scheme of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments and penthouses on the former Akzo Nobel factory site. Regeneration plans also include Gillingham Pier.

Buyers: At Waterside Lane prices are relatively high for Gillingham and doubtless it attracts boating types due to proximity to the Marina and the Medway Cruising Club.

Pros: Attractive properties in a fine location with lovely views.

Cons: Not much to object to aside from the price of entry.

Where is it? South of A2 - streets off Darland. A278 is eastern border, Capstone Park to the south.

What's there: Large and well thought of new-build development (80s) which also has some 30s stock. Lots of semis and some larger detached houses laid out in avenues and closes.

Buyers: Popular and a bit more expensive than Upper Gillingham. Lots of families with kids.

Pros: Good-sized properties with gardens. Well-established, family-friendly neighbourhood. Close to Capstone Park, Gillingham Business Park and the Ice Rink. A278 takes you down to the M2. Tesco superstore on Courtney Road.

Cons: Not much to object to - not the place to look if you like Georgian or Victorian properties.

Where is it? South of Darland off the A278 (west side).

What's there: A prime location - large detached houses with big gardens and four to six bedrooms, large semis with gardens, and some bungalows. Mainly new-build properties.

Buyers: Well-heeled families for the most part.

Pros: Sizeable properties, area with cachet, well-established and self-contained neighbourhood - Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre has most of what you need. Flanked by Capstone Park and very handy for the M2.

Cons: Expensive. Not much in the way of period properties and while handy for road links, a bit of a hike from the station and the centre of town.

Where is it? West of A289, north of A2, south of train lines. Twdall Lane is generally regarded as the border with Rainham.

What's there: Lots of terraces, and bay-fronted semis, and a fair number of council properties. Cross the tracks into Lower Twydall and it's very different - Lower Twydall Lane (strictly speaking Lower Rainham) is surrounded by fields and has some very desirable period properties and barn conversions.

Buyers: FTBs, investors. Rich folk on Lower Twydall Lane.

Pros: Affordable and fairly central. Tesco superstore on Courtney Road (other side of A2). Riverside Country Park across the tracks and the Lower Rainham Road.

Cons: Not the loveliest of neighbourhoods - and council schemes do have an impact on prices.

Where is it? East of Dock Road, south of Wood Street.

What's there: Some very classy Grade I and Grade II listed Georgian homes in the conservation area in the centre (Mansion Row, Singapore Drive, etc). Also some new-build developments.

Buyers: Wealthy buyers in search of period treasures, young professionals (fairly close to Chatham Maritime), some students (close to university).

Pros: Well located, some lovely period property, handy for Gillingham station, and not a million miles from Chatham.

Cons: Mainly townhouses, terraces, new-build mews houses, apartments and the like. Not the place to look for a detached home with a garden.

High Street: Pedestrianised, but relatively uninspiring, high Street with all the usual suspects - including, Woolworths, Co-op, Boots, W. H. Smith, Somerfield, Iceland, the Co-op, Superdrug, Specsavers, etc. Also many smaller shops.

Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre: Shopping centre in the upmarket Hempstead area. Includes Sainsburys, Boots, Argos, Superdrug, M&S, BHS, Savacentre. New Look, Principals, Evans, Wallis, MacDonalds, cafes, Ernest Jones, Dixons, Orange phone shop, Clinton cards etc.

Markets: Traditional markets that operate on the High Street every Saturday and Monday, 8am to 5pm.

Eating: Fair choice: Thai, Indian, Italian and Chinese. Also Portuguese, American and 'Traditional'.

Cafes: Plenty dotted about the place - but more likely to find traditional cafs than cappuccino outlets.

Pubs: Again, many to choose from. The Star on Watling Street is well regarded.

Black Lion Leisure Centre: 25 metre indoor pool, teaching pool, diving pool, sports hall with badminton, indoor five-a-side footie, gym with fitness suite, including sauna, steam, spa and tanning facilities.

Strand Leisure Pool and Park: Has an open-air swimming pool, crazy golf, tennis courts, five-a-side, play areas and a miniature railway.

Golf Course: 18-hole course centrally located off Woodlands Road.

Chatham Ski and Snowboard Centre: Set in the heart of the Kent countryside, surrounded by Capstone Country Park. The centre is open throughout the year for recreational skiing and snowboarding, with lessons available for every standard.

The Ice Bowl: One of the larges ice rinks in the South East - seats 1,000 for ice hockey. Also ice skating, discos and parties on ice etc.

Theatre: Medway Council runs two theatres in Chatham, The Central Theatre and The Brook Theatre. The theatres host a wide variety of productions from drama to dance and comedy to music.

Gillingham Football Club: Well-established club - Priestfield Stadium is close to the station on Redfern Avenue.

Cinema: Multi-screen UGC cinema in Rochester. Also a large multiplex in Strood.

Royal Engineers Museum: Tells the story of the Corps of Royal Engineers and military engineering. Stage many events, including an annual Zulu weekend.

Riverside Country Park: Covers 100 hectares along the Medway Estuary. Includes from Gillingham to Rainham. Nice riverside walks, attractive green areas, mudflats and salt marshes, ponds and reed-beds, abundant birds and other wildlife. The estuary is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).

Gillingham Park: Attractive Edwardian park of historical interest - seasonal flower displays and a variety of trees. Also annual events and festivals.

Darland Banks Nature Reserve: 45 hectares of chalk grassland, scrub and woodland on south facing slopes. Contains many rare and beautiful plants, including several species of orchid. Nature trail with nice walks.

South Wood, Hempstead: According to the council, one of the richest remaining woodland areas in Medway. Now managed its wildlife value. Resident birds include the great spotted woodpecker, song thrush and jay. Also contains a population of dormice, which are rare throughout Britain and Europe.

Capstone Country Park: Covers 114 hectares of former farmland set on the North Downs. There is a variety of habitats within the park, including ancient woodlands, old orchards, a freshwater lake, meadows and hedgerows.

Trains: Victoria, Cannon Street and Charing Cross stations have frequent services to Medway. The journey takes between 45 minutes and an hour.

Road: The A2/A289 provide direct access to the M2 (with the M20 and M25 just beyond)

Air: Medway is within easy reach of Heathrow (75 miles), Gatwick (43 miles) and London City Airport (24 miles).