Maritime adventure at Gillingham
For a small Kentish town, Gillingham has a big stake in English history - it's the home of the Royal Engineers, the engineering corp of the British Army. You can visit the dedicated Royal Engineers Museum to learn all about the corp's past, from its foundations in 1066 to the present day. From tanks and torpedoes to the Duke of Wellington's battle map from the Battle of Waterloo, there's centuries of history to explore here.
A walk in the Riverside Country Park
Kent has no shortage of greenery, and Gillingham is no exception. Riverside Country Park is perfect for a family day out and is dog-friendly, too. There's plenty of trails to walk or cycle across the park, and you can settle by the bank for views across the River Medway. Need something for the kids? The Strand Leisure Park is an activity-packed outdoor centre with a pool and a miniature railway.
Climb aboard a historic ship
Nearby Chatham is home to Chatham Dockyard, a maritime museum displaying artefacts from over 400 years ago. You can climb aboard a Victorian ship, explore a Cold War submarine, and visit a 1618 ropery to see how rope was traditionally made. Looking for accommodation in Gillingham? Travelodge Chatham Maritime Hotel is ideally located Near to Chatham Dockyard, while the Travelodge Medway Hotel is just off the M2.