Living in Chatham

Chatham presents an active local community feel, driven by a mix of long-term residents and newcomers. The town centre features regular markets and a busy retail precinct, while community centres offer classes, activities, and support for all ages. Chatham Waterfront and Riverside Country Park provide opportunities for outdoor pursuits such as walking, cycling, and seasonal events.

Local festivals, including the Medway River Festival and Dickens Festival (held in nearby Rochester), encourage a spirit of community and celebration of local heritage. The Medway Park sports centre and local clubs cater to a range of interests from athletics to arts, making it easy for residents to get involved and meet neighbours.

Safety and crime rates in Chatham, as in many urban areas, vary between neighbourhoods. Central Chatham often experiences higher levels of recorded crime, particularly antisocial behaviour and petty theft, which is not uncommon in busy shopping and nightlife districts. However, neighbourhoods to the south and east tend to be quieter and have a more suburban feel.

Medway Council and Kent Police have launched initiatives focusing on community safety, neighbourhood policing, and public engagement, with visible patrols and crime prevention campaigns. Regeneration and investment in public spaces have contributed to a more positive reputation, with improvements in lighting and surveillance in the town centre and at transport hubs.

Parking in Chatham is generally manageable, with several options tailored to both residents and visitors. The town centre offers multiple pay-and-display car parks, such as the Pentagon Centre and Medway Council-run sites, as well as limited short-stay on-street parking. Residential parking permits are available in some streets near the centre to manage commuter congestion.

Chatham’s location places it close to major road links. The A2 passes through, and the M2 provides fast road connections to London and further into Kent. Peak traffic can lead to congestion during rush hours, particularly on routes to and from the town centre and main retail areas.

Nearby towns and cities are accessible by primary routes:
Maidstone – approx. 25 minutes via M2/A229 (12 miles)
Canterbury – approx. 40 minutes via M2 (31 miles)
London – approx. 60 minutes via A2/M2 (35 miles)
Rochester – approx. 5 minutes via A2 or local roads (2 miles)
Gillingham – approx. 7 minutes via A2 (3 miles)

Chatham’s food and drink scene ranges from national chains and independent cafés in the heart of the town to riverside dining in the Chatham Maritime area. The Dockside outlet hosts a number of popular restaurants and bars with waterfront views, while High Street is home to a diverse array of international cuisines, takeaways, and traditional English pubs.

For nightlife, Chatham provides a mix of lively pubs, late-night bars, and occasional live music venues. Venues such as The Command House offer outdoor space overlooking the river, while the Central Theatre and Medway Little Theatre provide options for culture lovers, hosting theatre productions, comedy, and live performances.

School Quality
Chatham schools cover a range of levels, including several with 'Good' Ofsted ratings, offering families choice in both primary and secondary education.

Parks and Green Spaces
An array of parks and riverside walks provide child-friendly outlets, from the landscaped Riverside Country Park to local playgrounds and recreational sports grounds.

Childcare
Nursery schools and childminders are widely available, supported by Medway Council and local community initiatives.

Safety
Safety is comparable to other urban areas, with neighbourhood policing schemes contributing positively to family experiences.

Family Activities
Family entertainment includes cinemas, theatres, museums, and soft play centres, as well as easy trips to coastal or countryside destinations for day outings.

Chatham is generally pet-friendly, offering good access to riverside and countryside walks. Popular choices include Riverside Country Park, Capstone Farm Country Park, and the Great Lines Heritage Park in nearby Gillingham, all well-suited to dog walking and outdoor exercise.

Local veterinary surgeries, pet shops, and dog-friendly cafés or pubs cater to pets' needs. Many housing options in Chatham permit pets, especially those with outdoor space, though restrictions may apply in some rented properties. Community attitudes tend to favour responsible pet ownership, making Chatham a comfortable choice for animal lovers.

Chatham benefits from excellent transport and accessibility links, making it an attractive base for commuters. Chatham railway station is centrally located and offers frequent direct trains on Southeastern services, connecting the town to London Victoria, London St Pancras International (via High Speed 1), and stations across Kent, including Gillingham, Rochester, and Maidstone.

Extensive bus networks, run by Arriva and other operators, link Chatham to surrounding Medway towns and rural villages. Road access is straightforward, with the M2 motorway and A2 ensuring travel towards London, Canterbury, and the Kent coast.

Chatham is also within close proximity to several airports, with London City Airport and Gatwick Airport both reachable in around an hour by car or train. Major seaports, such as Dover and Folkestone, provide further transport flexibility for residents.

• London St Pancras International: around 45 minutes by high-speed train
• London Victoria: around 50 minutes by train
• Rochester: 5 minutes by train
• Gillingham: 3 minutes by train
• Maidstone: 25 minutes by car via M2/A229

Primary Schools in Chatham
Chatham has a variety of primary schools serving the town and nearby areas. Notable options include All Saints Church of England Primary School, rated 'Good' by Ofsted in 2022, and Phoenix Primary School and Nursery, also 'Good' as of 2018. Byron Primary School and St John Fisher Catholic Primary School are sought after for their community focus and strong educational record.

Secondary Schools in Chatham
Among the secondary schools, the Holcombe Grammar School (formerly Chatham Grammar School for Boys) stands out, rated 'Good' by Ofsted in 2022, and known for its strong academic reputation. The Victory Academy, a co-educational secondary, was rated 'Good' in 2022 and offers specialist teaching facilities. Fort Pitt Grammar School, located nearby in Rochester, is another popular choice for Chatham students, particularly acclaimed for its results.

Colleges and Sixth Forms
The MidKent College campus in Chatham provides a broad range of further education opportunities, including A-levels, vocational courses, and apprenticeships. It is well-regarded in Kent for its facilities and course diversity.

Universities
The University of Greenwich has a Medway campus located in Chatham Maritime, sharing the site with the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University. These institutions collaborate to offer a wide selection of courses and excellent student facilities, making higher education widely accessible within Chatham and the wider Medway area.