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The jewel of the historic riverside town of Gravesend is the world’s oldest cast iron pleasure pier and the historic high street. The town has a wealth of intriguing history and places to visit, including the final resting place of Native American princess – Pocahontas. Gordon PromenadeThe Promenade as it stands was developed in the late 19th century and is home to the Rowing Club (founded 1878) and the Sailing Club (founded 1894).
In the last century the river at this point would have been filled with vessels of all types and sizes, troop and cargo boats waited on tides for orders in addition to emigrant ships anchored off shore, sometimes waiting for weeks before they set sail. These vessels were serviced by boatmen who lived in a self-contained community of hulks and barges lying mid stream, with their families, cats, dogs, chickens and livestock.
At the eastern end of the canal basin stood a small cottage (demolished 1942), the roof of which was an upturned hull of a boat. This was believed to be the inspiration for Peggotty’s House in Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield. |
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| Busy Shipping Lane |
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| Gravesend Pleasure Pier |
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New Tavern Fort 1778 - was home to Colonel Charles Gordon (later General Gordon of Khartoum) who lived at Fort House while commanding The Corps of Royal Engineers, supervising the construction of defences for the Thames. The Custom House, which lies to the west of the Promenade, was built in 1815-16 and is a Grade II listed building. |
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