Gravesend Library, Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1BE

DJG Palmer will be talking about his books ‘A Rougher Task’ and ‘In the Ranks of Death’.
This is a heart wrenching LGBTQ+ tale of the brutalities of love and war.
A fight for survival against the backdrop of the emotive Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.

Signed copies of DJG Palmer’s book will be available to purchase

Tickets £2.50 available at the library - Booking essential, please speak to a member of library staff, email gravesendlibrary@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 41 31 31

The Lost Village of Dode, DA13 0XF

Many people believe that Dode was built in 1100 by Gundulf, a Norman Bishop and contemporary and confidant of both William the Conqueror and his son William Rufus. There is good historical evidence to suggest this. Bishop Gundulf is best known for building the Tower of London (White Tower) and Colchester Castle.

 The author of Lord of the Rings, J.R.R Tolkien, was well acquainted with the life and times of Gundulf as he was a professor of Anglo-Saxon history at Oxford.

So, this begs the question; was Gandalf’s name (arguably the most famous wizard in literature) based on the builder of Dode? The similarity to the name together with the reference to the Two Towers certainly may be more than just a coincidence!

If you would like to learn more of both the history of Dode and some of its magical, mystical stories – including the appearance of ‘the Dode Child’ – Doug will be giving a talk in the Church at 7.00pm on Sunday 23rd February 2025.

Meadow Rooms, The Street, Cobham DA12 3BZ

Cobham Gardeners Society invites you to a talk called Plants For Health and Healing.

Caroline Halfpenny takes a look at plants that are found in many gardens and in the wild that have been used to improve our health and wellbeing through out history. Some of the plants with healing properties within your own garden may surprise you!

Members - free, non members £3

Iron Pier Brewery, DA11 8RU

Enjoy a Brewery Tour and samples at Iron Pier Beer.

Free tours but please book - 01474 569460

St Mary’s Church Hall, Wrotham Road, Gravesend, DA11 7LL

All welcome to enjoy a talk by Alan Williams for Gravesend Historical Society.

After the 1940s, the trial of war and post-austerity, the Festival of Britain was to be a tonic. Alan Williams tells the story of the concept, what was planned and how the public joined in.

Visitors are welcome, voluntary donation £3. 

Reliance Restaurant, Queen Street, Gravesend

Gravesend in the 1920s was a very different town in the time of my father's childhood - find out how different - and how similar!

Speaker: Christoph Bull

Begins 6pm for talk - supper to follow

Cost: £23 inclusive of talk and supper

Booking and pre-payment essential - Reliance Restaurant 01474 533593 or Jack 07768087036

Meeting place - corner of Lower Higham Rd/Castle Lane, Chalk DA12 2NR

On: Tuesday 31st December 2024

Meet: 10.30am corner of Lower Higham Road/Castle Lane, Chalk DA12 2NR

Cost: Free-but donations welcomed.

Gravesend Historical Society Footpaths Committee has arranged this walk across marshes and fields, along public footpaths - it is open to everyone and well behaved dogs. The surfaces are uneven, possibly slippery and there are some stiles on route. Sensible footwear is needed-the walk is about 2 hours and about 4 miles. 

The XR Repair Café - Bicycles, electricals, ceramics, clocks, fabrics repaired and restored when possible.

First Thursday in every month, 10am to 2pm.

Tea coffee biscuits. Donations welcome.

Church Road Hall, Church Road, Swanscombe

Speakers: Christoph Bull (Local Historian) and Victor Smith (Expert on local fortifications, defences and archaeology)

On: Tuesday 3rd December 2024

At: Church Road Hall, Church Road, Swanscombe (a building constructed for Cold War purposes)

Begins: 7.30pm

Cost: Free-but donations welcomed. 

Shorne Village Hall, The Street, Shorne

General Gordon is well remembered-but how much do we know about him-and what is his legacy?

Speaker: Christoph Bull (Local Historian)

On: Thursday 21st November 2024 - begins 2pm

At: Shorne Village Hall, The Street, Shorne

Price: Free to members of Shorne Local History Group - visitors £5 payable at the door. No need to book.

Gardeners Arms public house, Forge Lane, Higham

The twilight world of our local history explored-you will be amazed at what Gravesham and Dartford have to offer in folk tales and secrets.

Speaker: Christoph Bull (Local Historian)

On: Monday 18th November 2024

At: Gardeners Arms public house, Forge Lane, Higham - beginning at 11am for the talk, lunch to follow

Price: £18 for both lunch and talk

Booking essential 01474 823337 or sarahluchgardenersarms@gmail.com

The XR Repair Café - Bicycles, electricals, ceramics, clocks, fabrics repaired and restored when possible.

First Thursday in every month, 10am to 2pm.

Tea coffee biscuits. Donations welcome.

Sant & Davison Florists and café, High Street, Strood

All you wanted to know about Higham - but were afraid to ask!

Speaker: Christoph Bull (Local Historian)

On: Wednesday 6th November 2024 - begins 11am for talk-lunch to follow

Price: £16 for lunch, hot drink and talk-amazing value!

Booking essential 01634 393021 or sant_davison@hotmail.com

Reliance Restaurant, DA12 2EE

Join local historian for an illustrated talk and fish and chip supper.

Join local historian Christoph Bull for an illustrated talk and fish and chip supper.

This brand new talk explores what has happened to Chalk in our lifetime and how it fights to survive as an independent place.

Booking essential - places limited - Reliance Restaurant 01474 533593 or 07768087036.

Meet at 6pm at Reliance Restaurant, Queen Street, Gravesend. 6pm for supper and talk to follow.

Cost: £22 to include talk and supper.

Royal Terrace Pier, DA12 2BP

Join local historian for an illustrated talk with light refreshments.

Christoph Bull and the Port of London Authority are bringing you a chance to listen to a brand new talk about Gravesend and Europe in the 1860s - with a chance to visit the Royal Terrace Pier.

Booking essential - places limited - please text your name, contact number and number of people to 07702287147.

Of course you are wondering who Vicky and Fritz are, and the role they played in local and European history. Well come and find out!

Free but donations welcome.

2 Forge Lane, ME3 7AS

Enjoy an illustrated talk with lunch revealing some of the surprises hidden in this part of the Medway Valley, adjoining Gravesham.

Booking essential - 01474 823337 or sarahluchgardenersarms@gmail.com

£18 per head.

Post Office Collection Office, The Grove, Gravesend

Join Christoph Bull for a short guided tour with supper afterwards.

Join local historian Christoph Bull for a short distance guided tour of St George's Church and churchyard and find out many historical facts about Gravesend including Pocahontas, General Gordon, slums and Irish invasion.

Car parking is free after 6pm in Gravesham Borough Council car parks - but not St George's Shopping Centre.

Booking essential - Three Daws Public House - 01474 566869

Cost £28 inclusive of guided tour, church donation and supper at the Three Daws.

Luddesdown Vineyards, Silverhand Estates, DA13 0XE

We are delighted to welcome you on a guided walk around the vineyards of Luddesdown, finishing off with a glass of English bubbles.

Get to know the picturesque location of Luddesdown and its meadows and vineyards.

A guide will walk you around the estate, giving you a brief history of the area, the grape varieties we planted and how we grow and process them. You will also get to enjoy the surrounding meadows and learn about the flowers and animals that call these vineyards their home. You will learn about their roles on the vineyard, as well as the conservation work we are undertaking around the site.

We will end the tour at one of the UK's oldest inhabited residences; Luddesdown Court, and enjoy the exquisite gardens whilst sampling wines produced by the Silverhand Estate.

Duration of the tour: 2 hours 30 minutes.

Please dress for the weather. The tour will go ahead come rain or shine.

It will be a moderate walk, with some steep climbs, so please wear appropriate footwear and bring your cameras as there will be plenty of photo opportunities!

Luddesdown Vineyards, Silverhand Estates, DA13 0XE

We are delighted to welcome you on a guided walk around the vineyards of Luddesdown, finishing off with a glass of English bubbles.

Get to know the picturesque location of Luddesdown and its meadows and vineyards.

A guide will walk you around the estate, giving you a brief history of the area, the grape varieties we planted and how we grow and process them. You will also get to enjoy the surrounding meadows and learn about the flowers and animals that call these vineyards their home. You will learn about their roles on the vineyard, as well as the conservation work we are undertaking around the site.

We will end the tour at one of the UK's oldest inhabited residences; Luddesdown Court, and enjoy the exquisite gardens whilst sampling wines produced by the Silverhand Estate.

Duration of the tour: 2 hours 30 minutes.

Please dress for the weather. The tour will go ahead come rain or shine.

It will be a moderate walk, with some steep climbs, so please wear appropriate footwear and bring your cameras as there will be plenty of photo opportunities!

Nuralite Industrial Estate, Canal Road, Higham, Kent, ME3 7JA

Join Liz Jeffery for a Higham Marshes Circular Walk.
This Gravesend Historical Society Footpaths walk is open to all.

Free and no need to book.

Cobham Hall, Cobham DA12 3BL

Visit the magnificent grounds of Cobham Hall for an Evening Summer Stroll!

Join an Evening Summer Stroll in the magnificent grounds of Cobham Hall.

Only £8 per person.

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

Post Office Collection Office, The Grove, Gravesend

Join local historian Christoph Bull for a guided historical walk around Wellington Street area with a visit to the Zoar Chapel.

Please meet outside Post Office Collection Office, The Grove, Gravesend - opposite the Clock Tower.

A donation of £6 per head is requested.

No need to book just turn up.

Cobham Church, DA12 3DB

Join guide Jenny Ellett for the circular walk.

Enjoy a Gravesend Historical Society Footpaths walk which is open to all.

Free and no need to book.

Dode Church, Luddesdown, Great Buckland, DA13 0XF

The public open days continue and you are welcome to come along and spend time here at Dode in the church and grounds…children and dogs welcome.

Volunteer, Anna, be on site between 12-3pm for anyone wishing to visit on this Sunday.

With limited parking onsite we ask that you please be respectful of parking and others on site.

Any donations are welcome towards The Wisdom Hospice and there will be a collection box available.

St Peter & St Paul's church, Swanscombe Street, Swanscombe

Guide: Christoph Bull

On: Saturday 1st June 2024

Meet: 2pm at St Peter & St Paul's church, Swanscombe Street, Swanscombe

Donations welcomed

Information: via the Priest in Charge 01322 383160

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

This story is truly a unique  First World War adventure linking Germany, The Netherlands, USA, China and Kent-and this story should be as famous locally as Pocahontas or General Gordon. Come along and be amazed.

Speaker: Christoph Bull

At: Reliance Restaurant, Queen Street, Gravesend

Begins: 6pm for supper-talk to follow

Cost: £22 for the talk with award winning fish & chip supper

Booking and pre payment essential 01474 533593 (Reliance Restaurant) or Jack  07768087036

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.

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.