Gravesend Marina

[PeterBoater]

Has anybody tried Gravesend Marina as a visitor? I know it's a single lock gate HW-1 to HW. The only prices I can find are several years old, they said £25 per night but some mention of a £50 lock fee; is that still correct? Given that Gravesend isn't the most salubrious of destinations, it has some history and it 'makes a change' from the usual destinations.

 

[oldgit]

Have in the past requently wondered but cannot think of a single advantage of going in there.
Sea Reach is best dealt with and got out of the way ASAP. ?
As for the attractions of its surroundings..........

 

[thamesS23]

looks lovely

 

[Kingfisher of Enniskillen]

It looks like the lock gates are a bit leaky!

 

[oldgit]

One set of its doors were blown off during the war, not sure which war.
Presume they were saving up to purchase a new set.

Also proposals regards a completely new "marina" complex a little further upstream, this appears to have died.
One assumes either some Gulf Oil State sovereign fund has missed a trick here or alternatively some enquiries were made among boaters who pointed out that scrap metal and aggregate yards do lack a certain charm.

 

[AliaWaite]

Gravesend Marina does get used by visitors, but it’s not a common stop so info is often dated. Historically the overnight fee was around £25, with a separate lock or gate charge sometimes quoted at £50, but that figure caused confusion and wasn’t always applied to short stays. The marina is very tide-dependent, which puts some people off, and the value compared to other Thames stops is debatable. Facilities are basic but functional. Most people who go say it’s fine for a night, interesting from a history point of view, and definitely different. Best advice is still to phone ahead, as prices and gate charges seem to change quietly.

 

[AliaWaite]

looks lovely

View attachment 203635
website

I’ve been in once as a visitor. It’s very much a “do it for the experience” stop rather than a must-see marina. The lock window is tight, so you really do need to be organised and not rushing up Sea Reach. Last I heard, the overnight fee was still around the mid-20s, and yes, the lock fee does sometimes get added on, depending on staffing and timing. Best to phone ahead.

Gravesend itself isn’t pretty, but it’s not without interest. A decent walk, some history, and a change from the usual river routine. I wouldn’t base myself there, but for a night, it’s fine.

 

[Wansworth]

Gravesend was andmay still e a anchorage for barges and small coasters to await orders.