Gravesend is located on the south bank of the Thames Estuary, and near the town of Dartford and surrounded by the Kent countryside . It is situated approximately 32 miles east-southeast of London and is under the Borough of Gravesham.
Potential benefits of moving to Gravesend may include:
Proximity to London:
Gravesend is relatively close to London, making it an attractive option for people who want to live outside of the city but still be able to commute to work or access the city's cultural and entertainment options.
Trains: There are four an hour to Charing Cross (1 Hr), and four an hour to Rochester (15 mins). The High Speed 1 station at neighbouring Ebbsfleet makes Gravesend handy for St Pancras and the Gare du Nord.
Roads: The A2 gets you to the M25 in 10 minutes: central London (an hour) one way, Rochester (15 minutes), Canterbury (45) and Folkestone (50). Bluewater is a seven-minute drive.
Nice Victorian and Edwardian homes:
Look around Valley Drive and out east to Chalk. In town, look around Wrotham and Parrock Roads, Old Road East and the Windmill Hill conservation area have some fabulous and unique houses.
Property Market: The property market in Gravesend has had a steady increase over the last few years and accelerating growth. On average, a detached house costs £679,780. A semi-detached house on average costs £400,002, a terraced house £311,129 and a flat £177,962. Renting a two bedroom flat will cost you £800-£1000 per month. All that being said, you do get a lot more for your money being that bit further away from London and of course you have the benefit of being surrounded by the gorgeous Kent countryside.
Great schools:
Gravesend has a number of primary and secondary schools that are rated well by Ofsted, as well as two grammar schools. It's worth noting that the availability of good schools is often considered an important factor for families when choosing where to live.
Growing community:
Gravesend has a growing population, with many new housing developments and businesses opening in recent years. This means it is a good area for people who want to be part of a dynamic and growing community.
Natural and historic places:
The town has plenty of parks, gardens and woodlands and is near to the Thames Estuary, the marshes and the ancient Roman settlement of Vagniacae. Gravesend is surrounded by smaller villages offering country walks and spectacular pub lunches. Shorne Country Park and Broadditch Farm is also nearby. Local Rochester is full of history, great shopping, pubs and restaurants.
The Cyclopark:
This is a great local facility dedicated to cycling. There's a road track, mountain bike trails, a BMX track, skate park and a children's play area, plus bike shop, bike hire and cafe.
Fact:
Pocahontas died here! It’s more than 400 years since she stepped onto the shore at Gravesend, but the town has never forgotten her. A Native American noblewoman who married an Englishman, John Rolfe in the colonies, Pocahontas achieved such fame during her visit in 1617 that she was invited to socialise with royalty. But as they set sail to return to the Americas, she became ill and was brought ashore at Gravesend. She died in the town aged just 22. Visitors still gaze at her striking statue outside St George’s Church and if you take the time to look inside the church, you’ll be rewarded with two stained glass windows dedicated to her memory.
Please note this is a general overview, and is not an exhaustive list of all the benefits of living in Gravesend. It's always a good idea to research a place before moving there, to ensure that it has the amenities and features that are important to you