Rainham is a town on the River Medway in the north of Kent. Together with its neighbouring towns of Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester and Strood it forms a large urban area known as the Medway Towns. It has a population of around 12,500 people and is situated on the River Medway.
Not to be confused with the town of Rainham in Essex.
Historically, Rainham was a separate village until, in 1928, it was added to the Municipal Borough of Gillingham, which was originally created in 1903 and was grouped into the latter's built-up area in analysis of the 2011 census by the Office for National Statistics.[2] It became part of the Medway authority when Gillingham was incorporated with the other towns to form Medway Unitary Authority in 1998.
Rainham is a beautiful town that offers a great quality of life to its residents. Its picturesque location, friendly community, excellent schools, modern amenities and easy access to significant employment opportunities make it an ideal place to live.
One of the most appealing aspects of Rainham is its location. It is situated in a picturesque area, surrounded by stunning landscapes and natural beauty to the south leading to The North Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town is located close to the River Medway and Thames Estuary and has easy access to the North Kent coast. Residents can enjoy the benefits of living in a town, while also being able to take advantage of outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, sailing and fishing.
The town boasts great schools and easy access to education for all, making it an ideal place for families to live. Rainham has a range of primary and secondary schools, that offer a high standard of education. In addition there is further education available at Mid Kent College in Gillingham and campuses in Chatham for the universities of Kent and Greenwich.
There is a range of both national chain and independent shops, restaurants, and cafes, all providing residents with everything they need. There are also excellent transport links to London and towns along the north Kent coast, making it easy for residents to travel for work or leisure.
Attractions and Places to Visit:
- Riverside Country Park: a large park with plenty of open space, walking and cycling trails, birdwatching opportunities, and picnic areas.
- The Guildhall Museum: a museum housed in a 16th-century building that explores the history of Medway.
- The Historic Dockyard Chatham: a maritime museum and historic site featuring exhibitions about the dockyard's history.
- Capstone Farm Country Park: a park with several walking trails, picnic areas, and a farm that offers activities such as horse riding and archery.
- Motney Hill Nature Reserve: A country park with walking trails and varied wildlife.
- Gillingham Marina: a marina with several shops, restaurants, and bars, and a great place to relax by the water.
- Great Lines Heritage Park: a park with a network of walking trails, scenic views of the town, and several historic military buildings.
- The new Splashes Sports and Leisure Centre, due to open in Summer 2024, will provide a 25m fitness pool as well as a leisure pool, gym and multi purpose studio.
- Medway Park in Gillingham is a centre of sporting excellence with an athletics track.
Shopping:
- Rainham Shopping Centre: a pedestrian precinct just off the High Street with stores including Tesco, Iceland, Boots and Wilko.
- Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre: a large shopping centre with over 50 stores, including major brands such as M&S, Next, and H&M.
- Pentagon Shopping Centre: a smaller shopping centre with a variety of stores, including Argos, Boots, and The Works.
- Rainham High Street: a local shopping area with several independent shops and services, including cafes, restaurants, and supermarkets.
Food and Drink:
- The Cricketers: a traditional English pub with a garden and outdoor seating, serving classic pub food and a range of drinks.
- TickTocks Café: a family run coffee house in Rainham Shopping Centre
- The Spice Lounge: an Indian restaurant that serves a range of traditional and modern dishes, with a focus on quality ingredients and fresh spices.
- The Greedy Banker: a lively pub with televised sports and serving pub food
- Café Nucleus: An exciting opening in Rainham in Spring 2023 as an extension of the Medway towns stylish brand with other venues in Chatham and Rochester.
- The Berengrave Garden Centre and Tea Room: a garden centre with a cafe that serves a variety of drinks, sandwiches, cakes, and hot meals.
- Spyglass and Kettle: A popular pub in Wigmore serving food with seating indoors and in the garden
Transportation:
- Rainham train station: the town's train station that provides direct services to London stations Victoria, St Pancras, Blackfriars, London Bridge and Cannon Street as well as local stations Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester and Strood to the west. To the east the Kent coastal towns of Whitstable, Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate are easy to reach by train.
- Buses: there are several bus routes that serve Rainham and connect it to nearby towns such as Gillingham, Chatham, and Maidstone.
- Taxis: there are several taxi companies that operate in the area, and it is also possible to book a taxi through mobile apps such as Uber and Bolt.