Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Canal basin marking the end of the 7 mile long Thames and Medway Canal, started in 1800 and finished in 1822. It ceased to be a canal in 1846 when the railway was built through the tunnel. It continued as a wharf until the later 20th century when it fell into disuse. It was finally completely filled-in in 2011.

Monument Types

• CANAL BASIN (Post Medieval - 1800 AD? to 1846 AD)
• LOCK GATE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1800 AD? to 2011 AD)
• WHARF (Post Medieval to Modern - 1846 AD to 1963 AD)

Full description

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[TQ 743 694] This basin at Frindsbury marks the Medway terminus of the 7 mile long Thames and Medway Canal, started in 1800 and finished in 1822. At the upper end of the basin the canal entered a 2 mile (3.2km) long tunnel (now used by the railway). In 1840 a single track railway line was made through the tunnel beside the canal and by 1849 most of the canal had been filled in and a double line track ran throuth the tunnel. (1)
The canal basin has been infilled and a housing complex occupies the site. The lock gates are in situ [Aug. 2008] but in a deteriorated state, and under threat from regeneration of the area.

In 2011 the basin was to be filled-in and the gates removed. Ahead of this a watching brief on the clearance of silts and a building recording programme were undertaken. (2)

<1> The Ind Arch of SE Eng 1978 52-53 (AJ Haselfoot) (OS Card Reference). SKE50373.

<2> AOC Archaeology Group, 2011, Strood Riverside, Sustainable Transport Link, Strood, Kent: A Historic Building Record and Watching Brief (Unpublished document). SKE16856.

Sources and further reading

Related records