Elephant's Head public house, London Road, Rosherville, Northfleet

Guide: Christoph Bull

On: Saturday 11th May 2024

Meet: 1pm outside Elephant's Head public house, London Road, Rosherville, Northfleet

Cost: Free-no need to book

This is the last of the Cementfields People's Archive joint heritage walks with Christoph Bull (Local Historian)-the project ends in June. All are welcome.

Darnley Mausoleum, Lodge lane, Cobham

Set within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Cobham Wood is one of the few ancient wood pastures remaining in the UK. Comprising of open grassland and mature trees, this Special Site of Scientific Interest is grazed by Highland Cattle.

Standing at the highest point of the site is the 18th century Darnley Mausoleum. Designed by architect James Wyatt, the restored Mausoleum was featured in the BBCs Restoration programme in 2003.

The Mausoleum and South Lodge Barn are open on select dates during the summer. Free entry and no booking required.

More info - www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cobham-wood-and-mausoleum

There is no parking at Cobham Woods, the nearest parking at Shorne Wood Country Park. Via the M2 and A2. Exit A2 at Shorne/Cobham. Follow signs for Shorne Country Park. Parking: The car park at Shorne Country Park is not owned by the National Trust, there is a small fee charged for all day parking. The Mausoleum is approximately a two mile walk from here. Sat Nav: Shorne Wood Country Park DA12 3HX.

Darnley Mausoleum, Lodge lane, Cobham

Set within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Cobham Wood is one of the few ancient wood pastures remaining in the UK. Comprising of open grassland and mature trees, this Special Site of Scientific Interest is grazed by Highland Cattle.

Standing at the highest point of the site is the 18th century Darnley Mausoleum. Designed by architect James Wyatt, the restored Mausoleum was featured in the BBCs Restoration programme in 2003.

The Mausoleum and South Lodge Barn are open on select dates during the summer. Free entry and no booking required.

More info - www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cobham-wood-and-mausoleum

There is no parking at Cobham Woods, the nearest parking at Shorne Wood Country Park. Via the M2 and A2. Exit A2 at Shorne/Cobham. Follow signs for Shorne Country Park. Parking: The car park at Shorne Country Park is not owned by the National Trust, there is a small fee charged for all day parking. The Mausoleum is approximately a two mile walk from here. Sat Nav: Shorne Wood Country Park DA12 3HX.

Darnley Mausoleum, Lodge lane, Cobham

Set within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Cobham Wood is one of the few ancient wood pastures remaining in the UK. Comprising of open grassland and mature trees, this Special Site of Scientific Interest is grazed by Highland Cattle.

Standing at the highest point of the site is the 18th century Darnley Mausoleum. Designed by architect James Wyatt, the restored Mausoleum was featured in the BBCs Restoration programme in 2003.

The Mausoleum and South Lodge Barn are open on select dates during the summer. Free entry and no booking required.

More info - www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cobham-wood-and-mausoleum

There is no parking at Cobham Woods, the nearest parking at Shorne Wood Country Park. Via the M2 and A2. Exit A2 at Shorne/Cobham. Follow signs for Shorne Country Park. Parking: The car park at Shorne Country Park is not owned by the National Trust, there is a small fee charged for all day parking. The Mausoleum is approximately a two mile walk from here. Sat Nav: Shorne Wood Country Park DA12 3HX.

Milton Chantry, Fort Gardens, Gravesend, Kent DA12 2BH

Milton Chantry has had many different uses and is one of a few surviving buildings of this type. It contains a number of well-preserved architectural features from the 14th to 19th centuries along with a variety of displays relating to the heritage of the Borough. Located close to the Thames, New Tavern Fort was designed to defend London against an enemy fleet. Experience life underground and follow in the steps of the Victorian artillery men.

FREE entry to Milton Chantry Heritage Centre. New Tavern Fort – £1

Milton Chantry, Fort Gardens, Gravesend, Kent DA12 2BH

Milton Chantry has had many different uses and is one of a few surviving buildings of this type. It contains a number of well-preserved architectural features from the 14th to 19th centuries along with a variety of displays relating to the heritage of the Borough. Located close to the Thames, New Tavern Fort was designed to defend London against an enemy fleet. Experience life underground and follow in the steps of the Victorian artillery men.

FREE entry to Milton Chantry Heritage Centre. New Tavern Fort – £1

Milton Chantry, Fort Gardens, Gravesend, Kent DA12 2BH

Milton Chantry has had many different uses and is one of a few surviving buildings of this type. It contains a number of well-preserved architectural features from the 14th to 19th centuries along with a variety of displays relating to the heritage of the Borough. Located close to the Thames, New Tavern Fort was designed to defend London against an enemy fleet. Experience life underground and follow in the steps of the Victorian artillery men.

FREE entry to Milton Chantry Heritage Centre. New Tavern Fort – £1

Cobham Hall, Cobham DA12 3BL

On certain days of the year, Cobham Hall opens the House and Gardens to the public for tours. On these days the house opens at 2pm and closes at 5pm. The last tour begins at 4pm.

Cream teas available at extra cost – homemade cakes in the Gilt Hall.

Adults – £6/Concessions – £5

Cash only.

For more information please contact – 01474 823371 or enquiries@cobhamhall.com

Milton Chantry, Fort Gardens, Gravesend, Kent DA12 2BH

Milton Chantry has had many different uses and is one of a few surviving buildings of this type. It contains a number of well-preserved architectural features from the 14th to 19th centuries along with a variety of displays relating to the heritage of the Borough. Located close to the Thames, New Tavern Fort was designed to defend London against an enemy fleet. Experience life underground and follow in the steps of the Victorian artillery men.

FREE entry to Milton Chantry Heritage Centre. New Tavern Fort – £1

Gad’s Hill Place, Gravesend Road, Higham, ME3 7PA

Visit the former home of Charles Dickens, Gad’s Hill Place – his ‘Little Kentish Freehold’.

When he was a boy Charles Dickens and his father took a walk through Kent. On Gravesend Road they passed a house called Gad’s Hill Place. Young Charles was impressed and bought the house in 1856. In this house he wrote his last four Novels, including Great Expectations and A Tale of Two Cities. He lived there until his death in 1870.Gad’s Hill is set in pleasant grounds. You can visit the ground floor of the house, stroll in the gardens and appreciate Dickens’ love for his country home in the Garden of England.

Enjoy a tour with a Dickens Fellowship guide followed by tea and biscuits.

Adults – £9.50, Children 7-13 years £5.00, under 6s free.

Gad’s Hill Place, Gravesend Road, Higham, ME3 7PA

Visit the former home of Charles Dickens, Gad’s Hill Place – his ‘Little Kentish Freehold’.

When he was a boy Charles Dickens and his father took a walk through Kent. On Gravesend Road they passed a house called Gad’s Hill Place. Young Charles was impressed and bought the house in 1856. In this house he wrote his last four Novels, including Great Expectations and A Tale of Two Cities. He lived there until his death in 1870.Gad’s Hill is set in pleasant grounds. You can visit the ground floor of the house, stroll in the gardens and appreciate Dickens’ love for his country home in the Garden of England.

Enjoy a tour with a Dickens Fellowship guide followed by tea and biscuits.

Adults – £9.50, Children 7-13 years £5.00, under 6s free.

Cold War Bunker, Woodlands Park, Gravesend, Kent DA11 7LF

Gravesend’s Cold War bunker is located within Woodlands park and was originally known as Civil Defence Region 6.

The bunker was an underground command post, built in 1954, from which Gravesend’s rescue and emergency services were to be co-ordinated in the event of a nuclear attack. Its 13 rooms contained power and ventilation plant, communications areas for the command staff and various dormitories.

Refurbished and re-equipped to look as it was in the 1950s, the bunker gives the visitor the chance to experience its atmosphere and glimpse into Cold War England. Exhibits include a domestic fallout room, communications room and a replica radiation monitoring post.

Adults – £5.00
Child age 12-15 £3.00
Not suitable for under 12’s

St George’s Church, Church Street, Gravesend DA11 0DJ

Come in – guided tour of St George’s Church, Gravesend with light refreshments
The real Pocahontas story, the burial legends, slums of Gravesend, riots and many other
unusual aspects of Gravesend’s colourful past revealed.

Guide: Christoph Bull (Local Historian)

On: Tuesday 19th March 2024

Meet: 2pm at St George’s Church, Church Street, Gravesend

Cost: £10 for guided tour and refreshments afterwards.

Booking essential: Rev Jim Fletcher 01474 532505

Reliance Fish Bar, 4 Queen Street, Gravesend, Kent DA12 2EE

Greenhithe to Greenland-the Sir John Franklin disastrous expedition to the North West Passage  (Illustrated talk and supper)
The gruesome story of high hopes of discovery leaving Greenhithe and an Icey grave in the Canadian Arctic.

Speaker:  Christoph Bull (Local Historian)

On: Monday 18th March 2024

Meet: 6pm for supper-talk to follow-at Reliance Restaurant, Queen Street, Gravesend

Cost: £22 for award winning fish and chips with talk all included

Booking essential: Reliance Restaurant 01474 533593 or Jack on 07768087036

Gad’s Hill Place, Gravesend Road, Higham, ME3 7PA

Visit the former home of Charles Dickens, Gad’s Hill Place – his ‘Little Kentish Freehold’.

When he was a boy Charles Dickens and his father took a walk through Kent. On Gravesend Road they passed a house called Gad’s Hill Place. Young Charles was impressed and bought the house in 1856. In this house he wrote his last four Novels, including Great Expectations and A Tale of Two Cities. He lived there until his death in 1870.Gad’s Hill is set in pleasant grounds. You can visit the ground floor of the house, stroll in the gardens and appreciate Dickens’ love for his country home in the Garden of England.

Enjoy a tour with a Dickens Fellowship guide followed by tea and biscuits.

Adults – £9.50, Children 7-13 years £5.00, under 6s free.

Gad’s Hill Place, Gravesend Road, Higham, ME3 7PA

Visit the former home of Charles Dickens, Gad’s Hill Place – his ‘Little Kentish Freehold’.

When he was a boy Charles Dickens and his father took a walk through Kent. On Gravesend Road they passed a house called Gad’s Hill Place. Young Charles was impressed and bought the house in 1856. In this house he wrote his last four Novels, including Great Expectations and A Tale of Two Cities. He lived there until his death in 1870.Gad’s Hill is set in pleasant grounds. You can visit the ground floor of the house, stroll in the gardens and appreciate Dickens’ love for his country home in the Garden of England.

Enjoy a tour with a Dickens Fellowship guide followed by tea and biscuits.

Adults – £9.50, Children 7-13 years £5.00, under 6s free.

Reliance Fish Bar, 4 Queen Street, Gravesend, Kent DA12 2EE

Speaker: Christoph Bull
Cost: £22 for talk and supper
Booking and pre payment essential-Reliance Restaurant 01474 533593 or 07768087036

Sainsbury’s Store, Springhead Road, Northfleet DA11 8JH

Led by local historian Christoph Bull, this walk will explore Springhead and the hidden world of the Northfleet-Swanscombe borderlands – including  a secret river and its valley, Romans, battles, Saxons, industry, temples, pagans and watercress.

The walk will be followed by refreshments and an opportunity to add your suggestions to the Ebbsfleet Residents Handbook – a new publication about the local area.

Meet outside the entrance to Sainsbury's, Springhead Road, Northfleet, Gravesend DA11 8JH. Please arrive by 12:50 to allow time to sign in.

This walk is part of Ebbsfleet Citizen Archive – a community-led project capturing and preserving the varied stories and histories of the people and places of Ebbsfleet, Greenhithe, Swanscombe, and Northfleet, inviting local people to work with artists, historians and fellow residents, to explore the area’s unique historic and contemporary identity through objects, sounds, videos and photographs, collected by and from residents past, present and future.

Ebbsfleet Citizen Archive is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England, and supported by Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, Gravesham Libraries, Dartford Museum and Libraries, and Kent Archives.

Find out more about Ebbsfleet Citizen Archive here.

St Botolph’s Church, The Hill, Northfleet, DA119EU

Join local historian Christoph Bull for a guided historical walk of Northfleet High Street.

Free – no need to book.

This is a Cementfields Community Project event.

Cold War Bunker, Woodlands Park, Gravesend, Kent DA11 7LF

Gravesend’s Cold War bunker is located within Woodlands park and was originally known as Civil Defence Region 6.

The bunker was an underground command post, built in 1954, from which Gravesend’s rescue and emergency services were to be co-ordinated in the event of a nuclear attack. Its 13 rooms contained power and ventilation plant, communications areas for the command staff and various dormitories.

Refurbished and re-equipped to look as it was in the 1950s, the bunker gives the visitor the chance to experience its atmosphere and glimpse into Cold War England. Exhibits include a domestic fallout room, communications room and a replica radiation monitoring post.

Adults – £5.00
Child age 12-15 £3.00
Not suitable for under 12’s

Cold War Bunker, Woodlands Park, Gravesend, Kent DA11 7LF

Gravesend’s Cold War bunker is located within Woodlands park and was originally known as Civil Defence Region 6.

The bunker was an underground command post, built in 1954, from which Gravesend’s rescue and emergency services were to be co-ordinated in the event of a nuclear attack. Its 13 rooms contained power and ventilation plant, communications areas for the command staff and various dormitories.

Refurbished and re-equipped to look as it was in the 1950s, the bunker gives the visitor the chance to experience its atmosphere and glimpse into Cold War England. Exhibits include a domestic fallout room, communications room and a replica radiation monitoring post.

Adults – £5.00
Child age 12-15 £3.00
Not suitable for under 12’s

The Masonic Hall, 25 Wrotham Road, Gravesend DA11 0PA

This Arts Society lecture considers the beauty of shells in all of their variety. 

The shell is an attribute of Aphrodite who was conveyed to Paphos on a shell; of Triton who calmed the waves by blowing a conch trumpet and of the pilgrim as seen, for example in scallop shells at the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. As exotic and beautiful objects of wonder, realistic groups of shells were faithfully reproduced within Dutch still life paintings of the 17th century. Real shells featured in grottos, such as that in Florence’s Boboli Gardens and as a decorative motif appear in European interiors of the Baroque and Rococo. Exotic and fragile shells were traded from the eastern seas, carved as cameos, ground into artists’ pigment, and mounted as drinking vessels in precious silver gilt, to be admired as wonders of the natural world in princely Cabinets of Curiosities. Shell specimens were collected during the 18th century Enlightenment by Sir Hans Sloane and were recreated as exquisite porcelain sculptures or as painted details on delicate porcelain vases and dishes. Mother-of-pearl has long been utilised as a decorative inlay on rare works of art from India and Japan and tortoiseshell was manipulated as a veneer for fine furniture. 

Lecturer: Anne Haworth
Anne is a lecturer at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum and the Queen’s Gallery.

St Mary’s Church Hall, Wrotham Road, Gravesend

Jeremy Clarke discusses the design, materials and construction of Rochester Castle, one of the most important Norman buildings in England and a site of international importance.

Cost: £2

More information – Sandra Soder – 01474 363998.

Cold War Bunker, Woodlands Park, Gravesend, Kent DA11 7LF

Gravesend’s Cold War bunker is located within Woodlands park and was originally known as Civil Defence Region 6.

The bunker was an underground command post, built in 1954, from which Gravesend’s rescue and emergency services were to be co-ordinated in the event of a nuclear attack. Its 13 rooms contained power and ventilation plant, communications areas for the command staff and various dormitories.

Refurbished and re-equipped to look as it was in the 1950s, the bunker gives the visitor the chance to experience its atmosphere and glimpse into Cold War England. Exhibits include a domestic fallout room, communications room and a replica radiation monitoring post.

Adults – £5.00
Child age 12-15 £3.00
Not suitable for under 12’s

Gardeners Arms, Forge Lane, Higham

Ghosts over North West Kent - a selection of true local ghost stories (Illustrated talk & lunch)

Speaker: Christoph Bull

Begins: 11am for talk, lunch to follow

Cost: £18 for lunch and talk

Booking essential: Gardeners Arms 01474 823337

St Mary’s Church Hall, off Wrotham Road, Gravesend (near St Georges School)

Local authors of Gravesham- Swanscombe - Cliffe - famous & forgotten (illustrated Talk)

Speaker: Christoph Bull (Local Historian)

Begins: 7.30pm

Cost: £3 for non members of Gravesend Historical Society

No need to book-just turn up.

Meet: 10.30am outside former George & Dragon public house, Galley Hill, Swanscombe

The Swanscombe Peninsula has its secrets and these will be shared with you on this walk to get rid of the Christmas holiday cobwebs. Wellies recommended if it has been raining, otherwise sensible footwear.

Guide: Christoph Bull - Joint event with Gravesend Historical Society Footpaths Committee and Swanscombe & Greenhithe Local History Group.

Price: Free-donations welcome

No need to book, just turn up.

Information: Christoph Bull 07702287147

Royal Clarendon Hotel, Royal Pier Road, Gravesend

Myths & Legends of Gravesham and Dartford (illustrated talk with optional lunch)
Our area of Kent is crammed with stories and myths from headless ghosts to screaming skulls to mysterious dogs and much more.

Speaker: Christoph Bull

Begins: 11am Price: £10 for talk only.

Booking essential 01474 362221 – Optional lunch and drinks from the bar.

Reliance Fish Bar, 4 Queen Street, Gravesend

Gravesend in 1880s (Illustrated talk with supper).
Find out how Gravesend began to transform into the modern town.

Speaker: Christoph Bull

Begins: 6pm for fish and chip supper, talk to follow

Price: £20 for both the talk and supper

Booking essential: Reliance Restaurant 01474 533593

Cold War Bunker, Woodlands Park, Gravesend, Kent DA11 7LF

Gravesend’s Cold War bunker is located within Woodlands park and was originally known as Civil Defence Region 6.

The bunker was an underground command post, built in 1954, from which Gravesend’s rescue and emergency services were to be co-ordinated in the event of a nuclear attack. Its 13 rooms contained power and ventilation plant, communications areas for the command staff and various dormitories.

Refurbished and re-equipped to look as it was in the 1950s, the bunker gives the visitor the chance to experience its atmosphere and glimpse into Cold War England. Exhibits include a domestic fallout room, communications room and a replica radiation monitoring post.

Adults – £5.00
Child age 12-15 £3.00
Not suitable for under 12’s