Pictures of Greenhithe

About Greenhithe

Greenhithe is an area of Kent found sandwiched between the River Thames and Watling. It has a history stretching back to Roman times, but reached its "hey-day" when it became a popular Victorian resort. The town was sufficiently away from the city for Londoner's to reach easily via pleasure craft or railway and it is believed to have been known as "one of the prettiest town's on the river". It is therefore not surprising to learn that Queen Victoria boarded the then Royal Yacht - Victoria and Albert - whilst it was moored off Greenhithe in August of 1863.

The river has always been a focus of life in these parts. In the middle of the 18th century the ship H.M.S. Worcester was set up as a Training School for Officers, she was moored in Greenhithe in 1871. It was only later in the 20th century after various training ships had succeeded each other that the Training School became part of the Merchant Navy College at Greenhithe and the latest version of the original Worcester was sold for scrap.

Several gracious properties from Victorian times still remain to be seen, these sit easily alongside some of the town's modern housing, and smart shopping mall's such as the large Blue Water Shopping centre. Avid shoppers will find everything here, choice stores with fashion, jewellery, arts and crafts, and the more mundane everyday utilities. Local St. Mary's Church is well worth a visit, and visitors will find attractive parks and open spaces. For refreshment there is a good selection of cafe's, pubs, and restaurants.

Greenhithe is a good place for watching the busy working life of the River Thames, it is adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Bridge, the Dartford Crossing, and there are views towards West Thurrock on the opposite side of the river.