Last reviewed: · Prices in British Pounds Sterling (£ GBP) and US Dollars ($ USD) are approximate and for orientation only.
Why visit Gillingham (Medway (UK))
Gillingham (Medway (UK)) is a historic market town & borough in Medway (South East England), United Kingdom, with a population of approximately 101,187 at an elevation of 31 m. Gillingham (Medway (UK)) is a historic market town & borough in Medway (South East England).
Getting to Gillingham & National Rail transit
From London & Edinburgh: Take National Rail or a regional coach via London Gatwick (LGW) to Oxford, Brighton & Canterbury, then local rail or bus to Gillingham.
Nearest Airport & Rail Hub: London Gatwick (LGW) (39 km) · National Rail / Coach: Canterbury & Ashford International (Southeastern HS1).
Recommended Railcards & Heritage Passes: £35 Railcard (1/3 off National Rail), Contactless transit & National Trust / English Heritage Pass. Compare fares in £ GBP with our UK National Rail & £35 Railcard Calculator, London TfL Contactless & City Transit Calculator, and BritRail & Heritage Pass Calculator.
Top things to see & do in Gillingham
- Gillingham Historic High Street & Market Cross
- Gillingham Parish Church & Heritage Quarter
- Medway Scenic Footpaths & National Trust Surrounds
Neighbourhoods & quarters
Gillingham High Street & Market Square
Historic town centre, listed buildings, independent tearooms, and coaching-inn pubs of Gillingham.
Station & Heritage Quarter
Main National Rail and regional bus gateway connecting Gillingham with Oxford, Brighton & Canterbury.
What to eat in Gillingham — Local Specialties & British Culinary Guide
Dining in Gillingham reflects the culinary heritage of South East England, combining historic coaching-inn gastropubs, afternoon tearooms, farm-shop cheeses, and regional specialties.
Signature Local Dishes
Gillingham Must-Try Specialties
- Whitstable Native Oysters
- Sussex Charmer Cheese
- Kentish Hop Real Ale & English Sparkling Wine
- Banbury Cakes
- Windsor Eton Mess
- Whitstable Native Oysters & Rye Bay Scallops — Cold-water Kent and East Sussex shellfish shucked harbourside or pan-seared with garlic and samphire (£14–£26).
- Sussex Pond Pudding & Eton Mess — Traditional steamed suet pastry encasing a whole caramelized lemon, alongside Windsor's iconic strawberries, crisp meringue, and whipped cream.
- Oxfordshire Venison & Ploughman's Lunch — Crusty farmhouse bread, aged Sussex Charmer or Oxford Blue cheese, pickled onions, chutney, and hand-raised pork pie in a timber country inn (£13–£19).
South East England Regional Cuisine
Regional Staples & Drinks
Whitstable Native Oysters & Rye Bay Scallops (Cold-water Kent and East Sussex shellfish shucked harbourside or pan-seared with garlic and samphire (£14–£26).) Sussex Pond Pudding & Eton Mess (Traditional steamed suet pastry encasing a whole caramelized lemon, alongside Windsor's iconic strawberries, crisp meringue, and whipped cream.) Oxfordshire Venison & Ploughman's Lunch (Crusty farmhouse bread, aged Sussex Charmer or Oxford Blue cheese, pickled onions, chutney, and hand-raised pork pie in a timber country inn (£13–£19).)
Local Drinks: Sussex & Kent Traditional-Method Sparkling Wine, Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter & Shepherd Neame Ale, Elderflower Cordial & Pimm's No. 1 Cup
Where to Eat in Gillingham: Historic Coaching Inns, Gastropubs & Markets
Explore the high street and market square of Gillingham alongside regional culinary hubs including Oxford Covered Market (est. 1774), Whitstable Harbour Market, Brighton Open Market & The Lanes, Canterbury Goods Shed Farmers' Market.
Recommended Dining Quarters: Oxford Covered Market (est. 1774) · Whitstable Harbour Market · Brighton Open Market & The Lanes · Canterbury Goods Shed Farmers' Market
Local Cask Ales, Whiskies & Pairings: Sussex & Kent Traditional-Method Sparkling Wine · Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter & Shepherd Neame Ale · Elderflower Cordial & Pimm's No. 1 Cup
Pub Ordering & 12.5% Service Tips: In British pubs, you order and pay for drinks (and often food) directly at the bar rather than waiting for table service — remember to note your table number first. At sit-down restaurants, check the bill for an optional 12.5% discretionary service charge before adding an extra tip. Use our British English Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards to order confidently.