Copyright ©2007. The Overcliffe Hotel
Tarrif
Double/Twin room from £75
Single room £70
Suites - Price on application
Please telephone for details of seasonal discounts.
The Overcliffe Hotel & Bloomers Restaurant
15-16 The Overcliffe
Gravesend
Kent DA11 0EF
Telephone: 01474 322131 Fax: 01474 536737
On request our office can supply a facsimile service.
Proprieters: A.J. Kidd, T.J. Thomas - General Manager Mr T Thomas
Gravesend is an historic riverside town just twenty miles from the centre of London, yet surrounded by charming rural scenery, large parts of which are designated "areas of outstanding natural beauty" and includes the country villages of Cobham, Higham, Luddesdown, Meopham and Shorne. For the hiker or nature lover Trosley Country Park offers 160 achres of wood and downland with good facilities, a great place to take children.
Although firmly rooted in the countryside, Gravesend has been an important centre for trade and industry for around 800 years, from the granting of it's first charter in 1268 to the present day, when many national and international companies have settled here. The River Thames, which the hotel overlooks has played a vital part in the towns history. In the 14th century Gravesend was granted the sole right to transport passengers to London by water, and in the early 19th century the first steamboat plied between Gravesend and London. A large shrimp fishing industry flourished here until the first world war.
Perhaps the most famous of Gravesends residents were General Gordon of Kartoum who lived here from 1865-1871, founded a school and did much charitable work for the poor children of the town and Charles Dickens, who lived at Gads Hill Place in Higham for fourteen years until his death on June 9th 1870.
Gravesend is also the last resting place of Pochahontas (1595-1617) the American Indian Princess who saved Captain John Smith, leader of the first English settlers in Virginia, from being sacrificed by her father Chief Powhatan. She later married an Englishman, John Rolfe, but tragically died at the age of 22 whilst on a visit to England. She is reputedly buried in the Chancel of St. Georges Church and her statue stands in the church yard. Her life and adventures have been the subject of a major film from the Walt Disney studios.
However, despite Gravesends many historical connections, the town still has a stake in the future. Bluewater Park, Europes largest purpose built shopping and leisure complex, has recently opened and an international rail terminal, from where trains travel direct to Europe via the Channel Tunnel, is to be built just five minutes from the hotel.
