The landmarks and history of one of Kent’s most well-known towns is detailed in a new audio tour, writes Chris Price.

Back in the 19th century General Charles Gordon became a national hero for his campaigns in China and an ill-fated defence of Khartoum against Sudanese rebels. But what many people don’t know is that he was responsible for the military forts which guard the Thames along the north Kent coast.

He also dedicated six years of his life to the welfare of poor boys in Gravesend.

As part of English Tourism Week, the town’s visitor centre is flagging up its history with its free Gravesend Riverside audio tour.

“People are surprised to know how much history there is,” said Gravesend Towncentric’s tourism manager Virginie Whittaker.

“Sometimes they don’t know about the famous links with Charles Dickens. Dickens is associated with Medway but he was involved with putting money in the pot for St Andrew’s Church and Mission House in the Riverside area. When his home in Higham, Gads Hill Place, was being restored he stayed in the Waites Hotel, Gravesend, which was near Milton Chantry, Gravesend’s earliest existing building that dates from the late 14th century.

“People also don’t know the real story of Pocahontas and how she ended up in the town or the significance of General Gordon, who was a very important figure.”

Visitors are given a map which highlights all the points of interest on the walk’s hour-and-a-half route. These points are numbered, corresponding with chapters on the audio tour.

“People can stop and start as they wish,” said Virginie. “They can go for a cup of coffee and then get back on the tour or make it an all-day thing. People can take it as slowly as they like.”

When the tour is over, tourists can head back to the visitor centre for a quiz on the things they have seen.

While Gravesend Towncentric also runs guided tours along the route, the lottery-funded audio tours mean couples or people on their own can explore the town.

Virginie added: “People can get a real flavour for what the riverside is like. It’s full of history.”

GRAVESEND'S TOP LANDMARKS

General Gordon statue

In the Riverside Leisure Area on the Gordon Promenade, the statue heralds the man who built the New Tavern Fort in Gravesend, Shornemead Fort on the south bank and Coalhouse Fort on the north, while in command of the Royal Engineers. Khartoum Place commemorates where he died in battle in Sudan, in the Mahdist revolt in 1885.

Milton Chantry

The oldest building in the borough was founded in 1322. Mainly encased in brick but still retaining its 14th century timber roof, this was in turn part of a hospital, a chantry chapel, a public house, and a Georgian barracks, before its basement became a Second World War gas decontamination chamber. The building, owned by English Heritage, is within Gravesham’s Heritage Quarter and is home to a fascinating insight into the borough.

Representing the Native Indian princess who came to the town in the early 17th century, the statue was put in place at St George’s Church in 1958. It is an exact replica of the statue by American sculptor William Ordway Partridge found in Pocahontas’ home town of Jamestown, Virginia.

The Town Pier

The pier is the world’s oldest surviving cast iron pier, built in 1834.

The Clock Tower

At the top of Harmer Street, the clock tower’s foundation stone was laid on September 6, 1887, and is dedicated to Queen Victoria, to mark the 50th year of her reign.

The handsets for the Gravesend Riverside audio tours are available for free six days a week from 9am to 4pm. Visitors must bring some ID and a debit card to leave with the visitor centre, while they have the handsets. Call Gravesend Towncentric on 01474 337600.