The Medway region

Culture and leisure

Kent’s Medway campus is part of Chatham Maritime, which houses the refurbished Historic Dockyard. A multiplex cinema, the Dockside retail outlet, wine bars, restaurants, Dickens World and the Strand Leisure Park are all located within walking distance.

Less than ten minutes from campus, entertainment venues The Brook and The Central host exciting arts programmes. The Brook also hosts a monthly comedy club. A variety of festivals are held throughout the year, including the annual Arts Festival.

History

The nearby towns of Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester and Strood stand on the mouth of the River Medway where it flows into the Thames estuary. Rochester Cathedral (where Medway graduation ceremonies are held) – is over 1,400 years old, whilst Rochester Castle was built by William the Conqueror after the Norman Conquest.

Medway also has a distinguished naval history – the first ship built at Chatham Dockyard took part in the defeat of the Armada.

Charles Dickens

One of Medway’s most famous inhabitants, Charles Dickens, lived in Chatham as a child, and in Rochester for 14 years until his death. The region features in many Dickens novels and a yearly festival is held to celebrate his legacy. The £62 million Dickens World tourist attraction at Chatham Maritime hosts regular special events and has been used as a location for music videos and various BBC programmes.

Transport links

• Medway has excellent rail links and is well served by the M2, M20 and M25 motorways.
• Heathrow and Gatwick airports, the Channel ports of Dover and Ramsgate and the Channel Tunnel are all around an hour’s drive away.
• There are direct rail links to London Victoria and Charing Cross – approximately 45 minutes journey time.
• The new Ebbsfleet International station is just 30 minutes from the campus and, from there, you can be in London in 17 minutes and Paris in just over two hours.