family days out in kent

Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle

The coal-fired paddle steamer KINGSWEAR CASTLE was built in 1924 by Philip & Son of Dartmouth and sailed up and down the River Dart with her virtually identical sister ships TOTNES CASTLE and COMPTON CASTLE until the 1960s. When built, her steam engine, built by Cox and Co of Falmouth, and many fixtures and fitting were taken from her predecessor of the same name.

Withdrawn from service in 1965, KINGSWEAR CASTLE was laid up in Old Mill Creek at Dartmouth until bought by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society in 1967. She was moved to Binfield on the Isle of Wight where she steamed on a couple of occasions for a BBC film with John Betjeman and then, in 1971, was towed to the River Medway in Kent where restoration commenced. Many companies, individuals and other organisations donated money, equipment and expertise until finally, in 1985, she was returned to service on the River Medway with full Department of Transport (later MCA) Passenger Certificates.

Since her return to service, KINGSWEAR CASTLE has carried more than 200,000 passengers on a variety of different excursions from her base at Chatham and Rochester and on the Thames. She has also been in much demand for television and other filming and has recently starred in the BBC production of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations and an entertaining programme about deck chairs with Vanessa Feltz.

Chatham Historic Dockyard (0.2 miles)
Chatham 01634 823807
Chatham Historic Dockyard The town of Chatham has long held links with the Royal Navy and when its dockyard was closed in the 1980’s it was decided that it should be turned into a museum..

Fort Amherst (0.2 miles)
Chatham 01634 847747
Fort Amherst & Ghost Tours Fort Amherst tunnels offer an interesting venue for a tour that is somewhat different from the normal!   A tour of over half a mile of darkened tunnels..

Royal Engineers Museum (0.5 miles)
Gillingham 01634 822261
Royal Engineers Museum One of the three military museums designated under the National Designation scheme this museum houses one of the most important and comprehensive collections about..

Monkey Bizz (0.7 miles)
Rochester 01634 717788
Monkey Bizz Monkey Bizz is a childrens activity centre, offering indoor softplay. We are a play centre for children up to 12 years old. We hold Special Disco events e.g. Halloween and..

Upnor Castle (0.7 miles)
Medway 01634 718742
Upnor Castle Set in tranquil grounds adjoining a riverside village, this rare example of an Elizabethan artillery fort was begun in 1559 and redeveloped in 1599-1601, to protect warships moored..

Dickens World (0.8 miles)
Chatham Maritime 01634 890 421
Dickens World Dickens World is a brand new, innovative and exciting indoor visitor complex themedaround the life, books and times of one of Britain's best lovedauthors, Charles Dickens...

Strand Leisure Pool and Park (1.8 miles)
Gillingham 01634 852907
Strand Leisure Pool and Park is one of Medway's most popular outdoor attractions. The main pool has six 25-metre lanes opening out into a large fun pool. And, running around the outside..

Diggerland (2.3 miles)
Strood 08700 344437
Its Digger Time! Diggerland is a unique adventure park where children and adults can drive real diggers and so much more.Groups & Parties catered for. ..

BUCKMORE PARK KARTING LTD (3.4 miles)
Chatham 01634 661610
BUCKMORE PARK KARTING LTD To experience the thrill of real outdoor Karting, why not head for Chatham's 1200m Buckmore Park International Outdoor Kart Circuit, just off junction 3 of the M2...

The Ice Bowl (3.4 miles)
Gillingham 01634 388 477
The Ice Bowl One of the South East's most visited attractions over the last 21 years and continues to be a centre of sporting excellence in both Ice Hockey and Figure Skating. The rink is..