Pictures of Higham

in the county of Kent

Take a picture tour of Higham

Higham Pictures Higham Hotels Submit a history of Higham Higham Attractions Nearby Towns Submit Pictures Higham Map Add to favourites

About Higham

An interesting village situated between Gravesend and Rochester in Kent, with links to the author Charles Dickens, the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin, and auctioneer and electoral reformer Charles Larkin.

The village is divided into two parts, often refered to locally as the 'top' and 'bottom' of the village. It has an interesting Church, St Mary's, which contains the oldest church Pulpit in Kent, and at the highest point in the village can be found The Larkin memorial on Telegraph Hill, built in 1835 to the memory of Charles Larkin (1775-1833).

Gads Hill Place in the locality of Gadshill, Higham, now a school, was once home to the famous author Charles Dickens who saw the house when he was 9 yrs old, telling his father he wished to live there someday. His father told him if he worked hard enough his dream may come true. The rest is history. Dickens purchased the house 36 yrs later and lived there until his death in 1870.

Other links with the village are Dick Turpin, who is said to have robbed a sailor at 4am one morning at gadshill, and then embarked on an extraordinary journey, bareback on his horse, all the way to York some 200 miles away, simply to establish an alibi for the robbery, which he did do by engaging the Lord Mayor in York, who later became a witness for his defence. However, the truth seems to be that it was not Turpin at all, but another famous highwayman named John 'Swift Nick' Nevison, a man whose exploits earned him praise from even King Charles II and a mention in Lord Macaulay's History of England.

William Shakespeare also refers to Gadshill and its relationship with highway robbery in his Henry IV Part I.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Higham

Guildhall Museum	(2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Rochester Castle	(2.6 miles, 4.1 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Restoration House	(2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Charles Dickens Chalet	(2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Rochester Cathedral	(3.0 miles, 4.8 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Upnor Castle	(3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction E)	Pictures
Historic Dockyard, Chatham	(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction E)	Pictures
New Tavern Fort	(4.0 miles, 6.5 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Tilbury Fort	(4.6 miles, 7.5 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Camer Country Park	(4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Trosley Country Park	(6.7 miles, 10.7 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Coldrum Long Barrow	(7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Allington Castle	(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction S)	Pictures
One Tree Hill Country Park	(8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction N)	Pictures
Manor Country Park	(9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction S)	Pictures

All attractions in Higham
All attractions in Kent
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Higham

Gravesend, in the county of Kent (4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction NW)
Attractive old town overlooking the Thames estuary with walkways and picnic sites ideal for watching the busy water traffic, for this stretch of the river is said to be one of the busiest in the world.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Meopham Green, in the county of Kent (5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction SW)
This is an attractive Kentish village lying to the south of Gravesend. It is picked out by its Windmill of 1801, which has been lovingly restored back to its original working order and is now one of the best preserved in Kent.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Greenhithe, in the county of Kent (8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction W)
Greenhithe is an area of Kent found sandwiched between the River Thames and Watling.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Upchurch, in the county of Kent (8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction E)
This is an historic, interesting village which was once home to Edmund Drake, father of Sir Francis, who became vicar of the local church in 1560.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Canvey Island, in the county of Essex (8.9 miles, 14.2 km, direction NE)
With a pleasant coast, intriguing creeks to explore and views across the Thames estuary to Allhallows and beyond, it is not surprising that Canvey Island is a popular tourist destination.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Dartford, in the county of Kent (10.6 miles, 17.1 km, direction W)
The interest of the town focus's on The Holy Trinity Church, this originated in the 11th century and has a Norman tower.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Eynsford, in the county of Kent (11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction W)
This is a small town in the Darent Valley. Way back in the mists of history it was thought to be an important town, but is now...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Leigh-on-Sea, in the county of Essex (12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction NE)
At Leigh, visitors will find a small sandy beach and a narrow High Street containing lovely old fishermen's cottages. The resort is situated close to Leigh Marsh Nature Reserve and Two Tree Island, a lonely expanse of windswept grass and saltings.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Plaxtol, in the county of Kent (12.9 miles, 20.7 km, direction SW)
This is a picturesque Kentish village at the centre of the counties hop growing fields. It has interesting Oast houses and a concentration of charming brick built cottages.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Leeds, in the county of Kent (13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction SE)
For a romantic day out and a trip into England's rich historic past you can do no better than visit the pastoral village of Leeds.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Westcliff-on-Sea, in the county of Essex (13.4 miles, 21.5 km, direction NE)
The coast along this stretch of Essex beaches may be somewhat urbanised, but it remains full of surprises with reminders of the times when smugglers would stealthily enter the creeks between the mudflats to distribute their illicit cargoes at local inns.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Sheerness, in the county of Kent (13.4 miles, 21.5 km, direction E)
This is the port to which Nelson's body was brought home following his untimely death after his glorious victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Shipbourne, in the county of Kent (14.0 miles, 22.5 km, direction SW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Southend-on-Sea, in the county of Essex (14.1 miles, 22.7 km, direction NE)
Southend-on-Sea is mostly known for its long pier and large amusement park - Adventure Island, which has rides to suit all tastes and all ages.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Brentwood, in the county of Essex (15.7 miles, 25.2 km, direction NW)
In the romantic days of coach travel Brentwood was a staging post on an old road to London.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Kent
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Higham Station	(0.9 miles, 1.4 km)
M2 Junction 1	(1.2 miles, 1.9 km, direction SW)
Strood Station	(2.3 miles, 3.6 km, direction SE)
M2 Junction 2	(2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction S)
London City Airport	(18.3 miles, 29.4 km, direction W)
Higham to London	(26.0 miles, 41.9 km, direction W)
London Gatwick Airport	(33.0 miles, 53.1 km, direction SW)

Hotels & Accommodation in Higham

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Higham center
Inn On The Lake	(2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction W)
Best Western Manor Hotel	(3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction W)
The Ship & Trades	(3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction E)
King Charles Hotel	(3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction SE)
Holiday Inn Rochester-Chatham	(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction SE)
Bridgewood Manor - A QHotel	(5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction SE)
Larkfield Priory Hotel	(8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction S)
Village Hotel & Leisure Club Maidstone	(8.3 miles, 13.3 km, direction S)
Park Inn Lakeside	(8.7 miles, 13.9 km, direction NW)
Brandshatch Place & Spa	(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction SW)
All hotels in Higham