Chatham Car Hire

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Located on the northern edge of the English county of Kent, Chatham is a town on the River Medway. It is part of the larger urban area of the Medway Towns, which also includes Rochester and Gillingham. With a nautical heritage dating back more than 400 years, Chatham is a fascinating travel destination. The location would have been well-known to famous sailors like Hawkins, Drake, Nelson, and Will Adams, who were born in nearby Gillingham. Many famous ships, including Nelson's flagship HMS Victory, were built at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham. It was once one of the most important naval dockyards in the country, and today it is the most fully preserved dockyard from the age of sail anywhere in the world. For a memorable trip, pre-book your Chatham car hire with Enjoy Travel!

Guide of Chatham

Geography

The town of Chatham is a part of the Medway UA, which is within the ceremonial county of Kent in England. Chatham is one mile south-east of Rochester and 30 miles east of London. Six miles separate Chatham from the Essex county line. It belongs to the ME4 area code. In conjunction with Gillingham, Rochester, Strood, and Rainham, the region is referred to as a conurbation. Located at the point where the south-north flowing River Medway meets the lower section of the dip slope of the North Downs, Chatham is a major port on the river.

Climate in Chatham

The summers in Chatham are brief, mild, and largely cloudy, while the winters are long, very cold, windy, and overcast. The average annual temperature ranges from 3 to 22 degrees Celsius, seldom falling below -2 degrees or rising over 27 degrees. Chatham is at its finest for warm-weather activities from late June to early September.

Culture

In 880, when it was written as Cetham, the name Chatham appeared for the first time. A place called Ceteham appears in the Domesday Book. Books often explain this name as a combination of the British root ceto (which is related to the Welsh word coed) and the Old English word ham, which meant a village in the woods.

Things To Do in Chatham

Enjoy a tour to the Leeds Castle

The beautiful 12th-century Leeds Castle, located around half an hour from Chatham, is one of Europe's finest surviving mediaeval monuments. Today, people come from all over the world to see the stone castle and its large gardens surrounded by a royal moat. In the Gatehouse Exhibition, unique pieces of art, videos, and antiques show the castle's nine-century history, which includes 300 years of royal ownership. You should plan to stay at least one night on the site to take part in activities such as Adventure Golf, Falconry, and Knight's Stronghold Playground. Spectacular fireworks displays are available around Halloween and Christmas. During the summer and spring, stroll around the magnificent Culpeper Garden and the Princess Alexandra Gardens.

Visit the Historic Dockyard

Chatham takes pride in its shipbuilding legacy, and a visit to the historic dockyard, which spans 80 acres, is one of the most popular things to do in the area. Explore the open bridge of HMS Cavalier, a World War II destroyer, or peer through the periscope of HMS Ocelot, a Cold War submarine. Walk onto the deck of HMS Gannet, a Victorian sloop, and ring the bell. Discover how nautical ropes are made by seeing ropemakers use traditional methods in the Ropery gallery or on the famed Ropewalk. Visit the Command of the Oceans interactive exhibition, which houses the UK's biggest collection of RNLI Historic Lifeboats. No. 1 Smithery, which houses amazing treasures from the Imperial War Museums and the Royal Museums Greenwich, should not be missed.

Have a picnic at the White Horse Wood Country Park

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the White Horse Wood Country Park, which is located around 6 miles from Chatham in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It has exquisite pathways and beautiful views of Kent's countryside. The ruins of mediaeval Thurnham Castle and the remnants of an Iron Age village may be explored on foot in a different section of the park. More than 20,000 trees, including silver birch, oak, crab apple, wild cherry, and ash, have been planted in the park in recent years. You will also be amazed by the beautiful sculptures made to remember the ash trees that were cut down because of a disease called Ash Dieback. The Larches is one of the most beautiful and quiet natural areas. You can walk on the trails and have a picnic there.

Eating Out in Chatham

Chatham boasts a plethora of restaurants and bars that provide international cuisine. Here are a handful of our favourites. Popadom serves real Indian cuisine at an affordable price. Try the dosas, idlis, or uthappams, or if you want it hot, try the tandoori chicken tikka. There are also gluten-free choices available. Selale is a Mediterranean restaurant that is popular with both locals and visitors. Both the friendly atmosphere and the delicious food will stay in your mind forever. Try crab claws deep-fried in bread crumbs or a cold meze appetiser. Yoon's Kitchen is a Chinese and East Asian cuisine restaurant. They place a premium on high-quality ingredients and exceptional service. Don't miss the Yoons' Honey Ribs or the Garlic King Prawns.

Transport

Airport

Chatham is mainly served by London Southend Airport (SEN) and London City Airport (LCY).

Getting Around Chatham

You can easily avail public transport to reach important tourist spots. Local train, bus, and taxi services are frequent in and around Chatham. However, car hire is the most practical mode of transportation in Chatham, since it provides the fastest and most direct route to most sights. There is a rail system that connects all of the main cities on the island, although using the train might take a while. And for those on a tight itinerary, like business travellers, a hire car’s flexibility really comes in handy. When it comes to hiring a vehicle, Enjoy Travel has you covered, whether you're in the market for a chic little convertible or a rugged off-roader. If you want a stress-free trip, plan ahead to ensure you get the car you want.

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FAQs about car hire in Chatham

Most frequently asked questions about hiring a car in Chatham

Car hiring prices in Chatham start at £23.44 per day.
Budget and Alamo are some of the most popular car hire companies in Chatham.
The driving distance between Chatham and London is around 30 miles.
The average price of a litre of fuel in Chatham can vary between £1.20 and £1.08.
The budget friendly choices between small cars in Chatham start at £120.20 for a week, which is about £16.99 per day.
The most affordable car hire options in Chatham for an entire month go for £515.53, or £16.90 per day.
The best time to travel to Chatham is from mid June to late September (according to average temperatures).
Cape Cod National Seashore is the best place to start exploring Chatham.

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