insideKENT Magazine Issue 70 - January 2018 | Page 40

TOWNSPOTLIGHT
Spotlight on GRAVESEND cont.
of just 22, having never returned to her village
in Virginia. Gravesend remembers her though;
in 2017, for the 400th anniversary of her death,
there was a special Pocahontas parade in the
town, and there is a statue in the grounds of
St George’s Church to honour her – it’s Grade
II listed and is a popular visitor attraction.
Town Pier
Said to be the oldest cast iron pier left in the
world, the town pier opened in 1834. Today,
you can enjoy both a restaurant and a bar on
the pier as you look out over the Thames
towards Essex.
The Guru Nanak Temple
The Guru Nanak Temple is a Sikh Gurdwara.
The new Gurdwara was opened in November
2010. It is believed to be one of the largest in
the UK and the entire Gurdwara complex is
one of the largest outside India.
Gravesend Borough Market
Chartered in 1268, this is one of the oldest
markets in Kent and it has just seen a major
refurbishment.
DINING OUT
Il Padrino
Il Padrino is a lovely, family run pizzeria and
Italian restaurant with an ambience to match
its comfortable menu. Traditional Italian food
Il Padrino
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coupled with some more modern takes make
this an excellent restaurant to add to your
wishlist. Plus, it’s great for kids too with its own
children’s menu and patient, friendly staff.
Reliance Fish Restaurant
Reliance is an old school, traditional kind of
fish and chip restaurant that focuses on doing
that one particular cuisine extremely well. You
can eat in or take away and all the fish is
cooked to order. You can even get gluten-free
chips here.
Rico Sabor
Right in the heart of Gravesend you will find
Rico Sabor, a warm, welcoming Spanish tapas
restaurant where customers don’t only enjoy
great food, but can listen to fantastic music
too. Dishes include cazuela de mariscos –
traditional seafood cazuela in a creamy
coconut sauce; chuzo de cerdo – seasoned
pork skewers served with grilled vegetables;
and costillas – rustic BBQ pork ribs served
with chunky chips and coleslaw.
ANNUAL EVENTS
Riverside Festival // July
The Gravesham Riverside Festival is a huge
event that entices some well known names
to the stage (and a fair number of excellent
tribute groups too). As well as the music, there
are games, fairground rides, donkey rides,
plenty of food and drink, and the overall
atmosphere is amazing.
Market Mayfest Beer & Food Festival // May
Showcasing the very best in local food and
drink, this free three-day festival is open to all.
Christmas Events
Gravesend as a town loves Christmas, and
each year there are a variety of different events
to take part in. In 2017, there was the Frost Fair
which included stalls, music, entertainment
and ice skating. 2018 promises even more fun!
TOP SPOT
The Woodville was built in 1968 as part of the
town’s civic centre, and since then it has been
an integral part of Gravesend’s community.
This local theatre is where dozens of different
shows are produced each year – some
community based and some touring from
further afield. There is also a cinema here, as
well as an art gallery.
DID YOU KNOW?
Gravesend is home to ellenor, the only charity
in Kent to provide hospice care for people of
all ages – you can read more about them in
our charity profile on p123.