The river Thames has always been a strong element of Gravesend's history. A port was established close to London, which became the embarkation point for overseas visitors before Tilbury Dock was built. From 1800 to 1830 the population doubled as it became a fashionable resort for Londoners. Day trippers increased in the nineteenth century as cheap fares on paddle steamers became available to the cockney masses. Affordable rail tickets also swelled visitor numbers.Fairs, parks and promenade...

Faversham has always been a hard-working town. Its very name, which was derived from Latin and Old English, means ‘the metal workers’ village’, and in Saxon times the area was a centre for the manufacture of jewellery. Its town market has been in continuous use for over 900 years and when King Steven established a huge abbey here it became, for a while, capital of the kingdom. With a navigable creek leading to the Swale seaway, fishermen have always plied their trade here; in fact the Fave...

Dover developed at a gap in the white cliffs where the river Dour enters the Channel. Its prominence as a port can at least be traced back to the Bronze Age. The Romans certainly had a protected harbor here and following the Norman invasion a huge castle was erected to protect this gateway to Europe. In the middle ages it became a Cinque Port, with responsibilities for providing fighting ships to defend our shores. During the Spanish Armada, Dover joined the fight to protect our coastline....

First published in 2001. This is a vivid account of what their gods meant to the Romans from archaic times to late antiquity, and an exploration of the rites and rituals connected to them. After an extensive introduction into the nature of classical religion, the book is divided into three pain main parts: religions of the family and land; religions of the city; and religions of the empire. The book ends with the rise and impact Christianity. Using archaeological and epigraphic evidence, a...

Broadstairs is rightly known as ‘the jewel in Thanet’s crown’. This most easterly, quintessentially English seaside resort exudes much charm. Its sandy beaches provide wonderful opportunities for family bathing. Late Regency and more predominantly Victorian or Edwardian buildings reflect growth following railway expansion. Historically, the town’s name was linked to broad stairs which were cut into steep cliffs above its shoreline, leading to an ancient religious shrine. A fishing village ...

Faversham's many natural advantages attracted settlers from earliest times. The surrounding farmland is most productive with fruit and hops grown in vast quantities. Both crops are still significant and the town is proud to be the centre of Kent's brewing industry. Of national importance is a collection of over 4,000 fruit varieties at Bogdale. Brick making is another local speciality, though albeit on a much smaller scale than a century ago. Haulage of these heavy loads to mainly London m...

Sittingbourne’s steady growth from mid-Victorian times began with the construction of a railway line linking London to east Kent port, bisecting the town. Sittingbourne was renowned for its brick and cement manufacture, although papermaking subsequently predominated the town’s industry. Workers for these trades often moved from the countryside. Terraces of houses accommodating them arose either side of the main Watling Street thoroughfare. Economic growth continues apace today, with a far ...

Rochester lends the Medway towns a degree of class. It is the ancient core of Kent's largest conurbation. Instantly recognisable by its splendid Norman castle and beautiful cathedral, its shops abound with references to Charles Dickens - who lived and worked nearby. Historically the town was established at the lowest covenient crossing point of the river Medway. The Romans built the first bridge on their vital Watling Street route between Dover and London. Strategically important from a na...

The history of Deal has been shaped by its position on the extreme eastern coastline of Kent. Close to France, it was of such significant naval importance that Henry VIII chose to erect a castle here on the concentric circle plan. Revolutionary at the time, it is beautifully preserved today. Barracks were established here from 1861. This corps of the British Army was infamously bombed by the IRA in 1989, and the School of Music departed seven years later. Many literary references to Deal r...

Ashford's earliest settlers lived by a ford which crossed the river Stour in a clearing of ash trees. Over many centuries the urban area grew into a small market town serving both its local residents and nearby farming communities. By early Victorian times, the local economy took off with the coming of a railway line linking London to Dover. Of even more critical importance was the establishment of a large works producing locomotives and rolling stock for this booming industry.Housing expa...

Sittingbourne Through Time provides a detailed insight to this unique town. Straddling the old Roman road between London and Dover, the town’s position on this ancient route made it a stopover in which to refresh travellers and their horses. By showcasing modern and archive photographs side by side, the progress over the last century is apparent. From the railways to the barges, the author perfectly documents this quaint and quirky town. After the First World War heavy industry remained im...

Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells' is a well worn cliche, however, it does encapsulate the genteel character of this Kentish spa. Before the popularity of sea bathing, holidaymakers gathered here to drink the waters for medicinal purposes. The town grew to accommodate visitors with smart hotels and attractive terraces of Georgian and Victorian houses. The area's sandstone geology is revealed at Wellington and High Rocks and there is also evidence of Roman occupation in the town's roots. Today a...