Chatham Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Historic Dockyard Chatham
This scenic town on the River Medway is a place that launched a thousand ships. Its naval dockyard holds four centuries of exciting maritime history.

For centuries, Chatham’s crucial position on the River Medway halfway between London and the English Channel has made it a prized location. From the 16th to the 20th century, Chatham was a busy dockyard town, producing ships, submarines and sailing equipment in times of war and discovery. This strategic town is located in a picturesque valley along the line of a route used by the ancient Celts.

Defensive fortifications such as Fort Amherst were built to protect the town against the increasing threat of French invasion in the mid-1700s. Get spooked on a Friday night ghost tour of the historic fort’s dark and winding passageways or visit its rolling green Parkland Grounds open every day for free. Hear the mighty bang of cannon fire from the barracks on Sundays.

The Historic Dockyard of Chatham is located just north of the town centre and showcases the rich maritime history of the town and the River Medway. Once the lifeblood of the town, the dockyard contains a fascinating selection of maritime artifacts and personal accounts of life in the Age of Sail. Climb aboard two preserved warships and go below the decks of a Cold War submarine.

Visit the Great Lines Heritage Park, a vast green area in the heart of the Medway, with its distinctive Naval Memorial tower easily visible from Chatham town. Follow one of the tree-lined cycling and walking tracks to meander around the park and see families flying kites in the open grassland.

Chatham is the hub of the towns in the Medway area, so it is easily accessible by car or bus. High-speed trains connect Chatham with London and local trains serve the wider Kent area. Chatham has a seaside climate with warmer summers and cool coastal winds and rain in the colder months. Be sure to have your appropriate “brolly and wellies” (umbrella and boots), just in case the weather turns at any time of year.

St George Hotel Rochester - Chatham
St George Hotel Rochester - Chatham
3.5 out of 5
7-8 New Road Av, Chatham, England
The price is ₹4,257 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
₹4,257
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Chatham. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.4/10 Good! (279 reviews)
Lovely environment.
"I had a fantastic time at the hotel's birthday party. The environment is clean, there is parking space, and the hotel is not far from the town centre. The only issue I had was with the breakfast, which was not self-service."

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2024

St George Hotel Rochester - Chatham
Holiday Inn Rochester Chatham, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Rochester Chatham, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
Maidstone Road, Chatham, England
The price is ₹5,887 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
₹5,887
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this spa hotel in Chatham. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (922 reviews)
"My premium room was comfortable and spacious. The breakfast was very good and the evening meals in the restaurant was very tasty. I was very happy with my stay here."

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Holiday Inn Rochester Chatham, an IHG Hotel
Bridgewood Manor
Bridgewood Manor
4 out of 5
Walderslade Woods, Chatham, England
The price is ₹5,540 per night from 11 Apr to 12 Apr
₹5,540
per night
11 Apr - 12 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Chatham. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (911 reviews)
"."

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Bridgewood Manor
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Westbrooke Short-lets
Westbrooke Short-lets
3 out of 5
11 Westbrooke Close, Chatham, England
Stay at this 3-star holiday home in Chatham. Enjoy free parking. Popular attractions Nucleus Arts and Central Theatre are located nearby. Discover genuine guest ...
2/10 (1 review)
Would never stay here again , filthy
"Key safe entry with two sets of keys for the two rooms in the house , both sets opened same door , no bath mat or towels , can understand people thieving them but no bath mat from when getting out of the overhead shower in the bath , health and safety , double plug socket hanging of the wall , sink ..."

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2022

Westbrooke Short-lets
The Lower Bell
The Lower Bell
3 out of 5
201 Old Chatham Road, Bluebell Hill, Aylesford, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Aylesford. Enjoy free parking, a business centre and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Oare Marshes Nature Reserve and ...
7.6/10 Good! (114 reviews)
"Walk from your room straight in to the pub."

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2024

The Lower Bell
Romantic Escape Luxury Hobbit House With Hot Tub!
Romantic Escape Luxury Hobbit House With Hot Tub!
3 out of 5
Sheerness, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Sheerness. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Minster Gatehouse Museum and Elmley National Nature ...
Romantic Escape Luxury Hobbit House With Hot Tub!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Chatham

3.7
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
11
" "5 - Excellent 16.923076923076923%
4 - Good
29
" "4 - Good 44.61538461538461%
3 - Okay
20
" "3 - Okay 30.76923076923077%
2 - Disappointing
4
" "2 - Disappointing 6.153846153846154%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 1.5384615384615385%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
11 Mar 2020

Nice town. Went into the high street for dinner on two ocassions. Definitely recommend a visit.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
25 Oct 2019

I went to Chatham to visit the Historic Dock yard and Rochester Cathedral and Castle. These were all interesting, although it was raining on the second day.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
29 Sep 2019

All good thanks

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
2 Sep 2019

Chatham is very quiet and there were large supermarket near to where we were staying which was a bonus.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
10 Aug 2019

Rochester is a better alternative to Chatham, much more vibrant place with good transport links, cathedral and castle and some good bars and restaurants.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
5 Aug 2019

Chatham was ok but not half as nice as Rochester which was what we came for.

Cities near Chatham