The East Coast rally to the River Medway will run from Friday 26th July to Sunday 28th July 2024.

Berthing will be at Chatham Maritime Marina, located in one of the 3 basins within the old Chatham Dockyard area. Chatham is a locked marina, with access through the lock at all states of tide and with 24 hours operation.

Suggested Itinerary

Friday 26th July
Arrival to Chatham, taking the flood tide across the Thames estuary during the day.

Saturday 27th July
Daytime – Visit to the Historic Dockyard (self-arranged)
1500 – Drinks and Nibbles Aboard (host boat to be confirmed)
1700 – Gin Tour / Tasting at Copper Rivet Distillery – 1 hour (pre-booked – please advise if you would like to attend)
1830 – Group Dinner @ The Pumproom (to be booked – please advise if you would like to attend)

Sunday 28th July
Historic Dockyard tickets can be used again (valid for 1 year) if desired
Or Depart Chatham at leisure

 

Local Attractions

The Historic Chatham Dockyard is a short 5 minute walk from the Marina, and is well worth a visit: https://thedockyard.co.uk/plan-your-visit/. Tickets are valid for 1 year from date of purchase, so you could spend a few hours there on both the Saturday and Sunday if you wished. It is a good idea to pre-book your entrance tickets to receive a discounted price, but tickets are also available at the door if required.

The marina is also next to the Chatham Dockside shopping complex which has a few coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and shops.

Another option is to visit the historic town of Rochester with its cathedral, castle and historic high street – there are buses available from the Dockside Centre.

 

“Drinks and Nibbles Aboard”

On Saturday afternoon I suggest the usual “drinks and nibbles aboard”, however this will be dependent on another Moody owner being generous enough to play host on their boat!

 

Copper Rivet Distillery Tour

On Saturday afternoon, there is also the option of a 1 hour Gin Tour at the Copper Rivet Distillery, located within an old dockyard pump house. It is located next to the marina (1 min walk).

I can make a group booking once I have indicative numbers – with enough people I can get a slight discount on the regular tour price of £20.  I suggest a 1600 or 1700 tour start time. https://copperrivetdistillery.com/tours/

 

Dinner @ The Pumproom Restaurant (Copper Rivet)

Attached to the Copper Rivet Distillery is the “Pump Room” restaurant (https://crdpumproom.com/restaurant/) – also set in the old pump house building. It has been nicely fitted out, and sits next to the river.

If there is sufficient interest, I can reserve a group table for dinner after the Gin Tour. I’d encourage you to take a look at the menu (https://crdpumproom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/al-a-carte-sample-online.pdf) for the a la carte offerings. I have eaten here a couple of times, and although not a ‘budget’ restaurant, I have found the food and service to be good and the environment pleasant.

 

Alternative Restaurant Options

There are a few more of the usual restaurant options in the Dockside complex if that would be more desirable for people.

 

Entering the lock at Chatham

The lock at Chatham is excellent, with floating pontoons with cleats on both sides. 

The tide can run quite fast past the lock entrance if not at slack water. Expect to crab in and adjust your positioning on approach.

The tidal flow drops off significantly as soon as you are within the concrete pontoons just outside the lock gates, so also be prepared to make a last minute helm adjustment to straighten up as you enter the lock.