The town is recorded as "Gravesham" in the Domesday Book of 1086, probably a corruption of grafs-ham meaning "at the end of the grove". However, myth has it that Gravesend got its name during the Bubonic Plague as the place where victims were no longer buried on land, but at sea.
It was about a 50 minute train ride from London Bridge station, and we had a good view of the docklands and some industrial suburbs of London as we travelled. The town has a busy little main street, but we quickly made our way toward the Thames. The river front has many sites of interest, the first being St George's Church, where Pocahontas is buried.
Pocahontas was the first Native American to visit England, but on returning home to Virginia in 1617 she was taken ill. She was therefore taken ashore at Gravesend, where she died, only 22 years old. She was buried in St George's, but the church burned down in 1727. On rebuilding, the exact site of her grave was lost.
A life-sized statue by American sculptor William Ordway Partridge was gifted by the Governor of Virginia.
Bawley Bay: This historic tiny bay, adjacent to St. Andrews Church, was named after the many shrimp boats which used to moor there in the 19th century. Many families set sail from there hoping to start a new life in Australia and New Zealand.
The Gravesend Blockhouse: one of five small forts built in 1539/40 on either side of the lower Thames to protect the river approaches to London against the possibility of an attack by an enemy fleet. This was part of Henry VIII's national programme of defence.
The New Tavern Fort: remains of a fort built in the 1780s to defend the Thames against the threat of a naval attack from France, and extensively rebuilt by General Gordon between 1865 and 1879. The Fort was re-armed in 1904 and guns representing that period of development are now on display.
Part of the Canal Basin:
Always time for a pint - just make sure you avoid the Spitfire, it's far too bitter!
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