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Gravesend Canal Basin

Gravesend Canal Basin sits on the River Thames in Gravesend, Kent, at the historic western terminus of the Thames and Medway Canal — a waterway originally opened in 1824 to provide a shortcut for military and commercial vessels between the Thames and the River Medway at Strood.

The canal's working life was cut short by the arrival of rail freight, and the basin fell into disuse before restoration efforts began in earnest.

In October 2004 the basin was dredged and its lock gates into the Thames were renovated, allowing river craft to once again access the site.

Today it functions as a marina hosting houseboats, yachts, and powerboats, and serves as an access point for the roughly one kilometre of open water on the western section of the canal, which is navigable by canoe, rowing boat, and paddleboard.

The adjacent towpath forms part of Sustrans National Cycle Route 1 and connects pedestrians to the Saxon Shore Way.


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