Gillingham 3-Day Itinerary

A day-by-day plan for Gillingham: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.

Day 1

Arrive & Explore the Highlights

Morning
Gillingham Park

A large public park in the town centre with a skate park, tennis courts, football pitches, and a children's play area. Plenty of open grass for picnics.

🕐 Open daily, 07:00–dusk

Free entry

💡 The flower gardens near the main entrance are well-maintained. On summer weekends, there are often community football matches on the central pitch.

Hotels near Gillingham Park →
Afternoon
Gillingham Pier and Riverside

A long pier and riverside walk along the River Medway. Great for views of the river and passing boats. Benches along the path and a small green space.

🕐 Open 24 hours

Free entry

💡 Walk east along the river towards Sun Pier in Chatham for a quieter stretch with better views of the dockyard.

Hotels near Gillingham Pier and Riverside →
Evening
Where to eat

Princes Park · ££

The Ship and Trades · ££

Day 2

Deeper Into Gillingham

Morning
Gillingham High Street Historic Walk

A self-guided walk along the main high street, past the old Town Hall (now a pub), St Mary Magdalene Church, and several 19th-century shopfronts. No official route, just look up.

🕐 Accessible any time; shops and church open limited hours during the day

💡 Stop at the tiny library inside the high street shopping centre — it has a local history section with old photographs of the town.

Midday
Capstone Farm Country Park

A 110-acre country park with meadows, woodlands, and a lake. Good for walking, cycling, and birdwatching. There are maintained paths and a café by the car park.

🕐 Open daily, dawn to dusk

💡 The eastern side near the lake is quieter. Visit mid-afternoon on weekdays for the best chance of spotting herons.

Evening
Dining tonight

Three Mariners Inn

The Cricketers Inn

Day 3

Final Favourites & Departure

Morning
Royal Engineers Museum

Museum covering the history of the Royal Engineers, with military vehicles, uniforms, and medals. Includes a large collection of objects from the 18th century t

💡 Admission is £8.50 for adults, but check their website for free entry days (usually first Sunday of the month). Allow 90 minutes to see the main hall.

Final meal

Manor Farm

King George V

Getting Around Gillingham

Arriva Route 116 From £2.50 10 min

Alight at 'Medway City Estate' stop—one minute walk to hotel. Tap contactless on bus; no cash. Avoid Sunday when service drops to hourly.

Thameslink to Gillingham From £35 80 min

Buy Advance tickets online for £15 if you book a week ahead. Change at Farringdon—the 15-min walk to Gillingham station from hotel is flat, but taxis cost £5.

Gillingham Station Taxi From £5 5 min

Short walk is quicker than waiting—use the station's rank only if you've heavy bags. Uber rarely works here; stick to local cabs.

Gatwick to Pier Taxi From £90 50 min

Pre-book with a local firm like Chatham Cars to avoid surge prices—Gatwick rank taxis can hit £120. Meet driver at arrivals with flight number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3 days enough for Gillingham?

Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Gillingham Park and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.

What is the best time to visit Gillingham?

See our full best time to visit Gillingham guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.

Where should I stay for this itinerary?

A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Mayfield Guesthouse, Lustrous House, Cavendish Terrace, 1893. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.