Thames & Medway Estuary Tour
Oxted
Queen Elizabeth Bridge
Bluewater
Tilbury Docks
Coalhouse Fort
Cliffe Fort
Southend Pier
Thames Mudflats
Isle Of Sheppey
Hoo Fort
Medway Estuary
Rochester
Brands Hatch
Leaving the airport towards Oxted you pass the stunning Surrey countryside on route to Kent. As you track the M25 eastwards the first Kentish town you come across is Westerham. Turning to the left, just north of Sevenoaks, in the distance you see the industrial area at the mouth of the Thames. To the left you pass Swanley and then move on to the Dartford area, the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge is quickly coming into view. You head out over the Thames and line up to cross diagonally over the Bridge at 1000 feet. After the thrill of the crossing you move on to the nearby Blue Water. This £350 million development is widely considered to be Europe's finest shopping centre.
You then turn back to the Thames with Tilbury Docks on the north bank and Northfleet and Gravesend on the south. This is a very interesting heavily industrial area with ships, docks, factories and storage areas. As the river bends left you will see the huge defences of Coalhouse Fort, originally built in 1860 to protect us from a French invasion, it was our final river defence for London and the docks. On the south bank you see Cliffe Fort while on route to Canvey Island further north. Jutting out of the land like a thin line in the sea is Southend Pier. Built in 1830 it is the longest pleasure pier in the world being 1.33 miles long. From this spot look south towards your next destination Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey.
As you approach Sheerness you will see thousands of new cars lined up on the dockside. Now turning towards the Medway Estuary you will find its two defences of Darnet and Hoo Forts. Notice the intricately patterned mud banks as the Medway and Thames ebb and flow. You are now flying over historic Chatham Dockyard, our naval dockyards since repelling The Spanish Armada to the recent Falklands Crisis.
You have now moved over to Rochester, home of Charles Dickens, you are flying over the sights and locations mentioned in many of his stories. Beneath you is Rochester Castle, the best preserved Norman architecture in the country. Nearby you will not miss Rochester Cathedral as its imposing structure dominates the town.
Leaving the Medway you head south west towards Brand Hatch race circuit, home of the British Superbike Championship. If you are lucky you may even see some of the track stars practicing as you glide over the circuit. Heading back to the M25 and M26 junction you continue your journey to Godstone and the airfield.
