About the river
Rising in the Ashdown Forest, the River Medway flows through West and East Sussex and into Kent before reaching the Thames estuary some 120 kilometres downstream. Many tributaries flow into the Medway as it passes through the High Weald and Vale of Kent with its characteristic orchards and meadows.
People have lived in the Medway Valley since the Neolithic times on the fertile soils alongside the river. The Medway has been a hive of activity as a transport route taking ragstone up to London, and iron and timber from the weald to the docks. This industry was made possible in the 1940's with the extension of the navigation up to Tonbridge. In Tonbridge the river provided power to run the Leigh gunpowder works in the 1800's.
Agriculture was a prime industry in the early 20th Century with two thirds of England's hops produced in Kent. Hop gardens can still be seen alongside the river at Golden Green, although they are fewer in number today.
Also keep an eye out for pill boxes along the length of the river, built to defend the country against possible invasion in World War Two.
Today the river's use is mainly for leisure and you can enjoy the river's wildlife, tranquillity and excitement from the water or from its banks.