A summer of family-friendly events has been unveiled for Gravesend Town Pier, the world’s oldest cast iron pier supported by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
The pier will also feature a pop-up café serving hot and cold food and drink. Its indoor and outdoor seating offer a unique location to watch the world go by on the Thames Estuary.
Featuring exhibitions, festivals, and visits by unique vessels, the programme launches on Saturday 15 June and Sunday 16 June when Uber Boat by Thames Clippers hosts a special Father’s Day weekend event.
There will be interactive Dance Games with Dad on Saturday, while Sunday will see Victorian themed circus performances and workshops – both perfect for grown-ups who like to clown around.
The Father’s Day weekend events are free and suitable for all ages – everyone is welcome.
The Estuary Festival’s opening weekend comes to Gravesend Town Pier on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June, exploring the theme of Vessels, looking beyond the boats and ships of the Thames Estuary, to explore how communities, people, flora, fauna and even art events might be thought of as vessels too, carrying stories, memories and ideas.
Details of the full festival can be found at estuaryfestival.com
Following last year’s popular visit of the Galeon Andalucia, the tall ship Nao Santa Maria, a replica of Christopher Columbus’ flagship, will visit Gravesend Town Pier from 25 June to 29 June.
People can roam through all four of the ship's decks and browse information on the history of the Santa Maria, imagining what it was like to be a Spanish sailor 500 years ago.
Tickets can be booked online nearer the time at Vela Cuadra Producciones S.L. - Online ticket sales.
To mark the visit, an exhibition of the work of Martin Verrier will be hosted on the pier on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June, featuring talks from the artist himself and live music.
In August, British Summertime will take us back to summers past, with displays of old postcards, exhibitions, and traditional entertainment, and in September the pier will feature in the town’s Maritime Festival, with more details to be revealed later this summer.
And the family friendly programme runs right across the year, culminating with the Light Festival in January 2026.
The majority of the events are free, although some may need pre-booking to guarantee access, and there is a small fee for some of the workshops.
Unveiling the pier programme, Cllr Deborah Croxton, Gravesham Borough Council’s cabinet member for community and leisure, said: “It’s great to be partnering with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers and the Estuary Festival to open Gravesend Town Pier up to our community and visitors throughout the summer.
“It’s an imaginative and varied programme which promises to have something for all the family, and which will celebrate Gravesend’s relationship with the Thames.”
Sean Collins, CEO and co-founder of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, said: “We are delighted to partner with Gravesham Borough Council to bring a summer of discovery to Gravesend Town Pier.
“From our special Father’s Day weekend to the majestic Nao Santa Maria, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is proud to help celebrate the pier’s rich heritage and keep the riverside alive with memorable, family-friendly events.”
For full details of events, visit https://www.visitgravesham.co.uk