A Month of Running Around Medway with My Dog

What 30 mornings, 100+ miles, 1 dog, and countless cracked pavements taught me about this town (and my legs).

I’ve been running around Medway every single morning for a month. No headphones. Just me, a dog, and whatever weirdness Medway throws at us.

Cracked pavements. Foxes. Bins that move.

It started as a fitness thing. Then a mental health thing. Then it became something else – a weird ritual where I got to watch Medway wake up, fall apart, and rebuild itself in 5K loops.

This isn’t a running guide. It’s a survival log. A chaos diary. A love-hate letter to Medway’s uneven streets, surprise hills, feral foxes, and one terrifying bin that moves slightly every day.

Some moments were comedy. Like when my dog launched herself out of the Cheese Room on Rochester High Street and knocked my coffee clean out of my hand. RIP flat white.

Other times were a leg workout from hell: running up Jackson’s Field in Rochester, or that brutal incline at the bottom of Maidstone Road in Chatham that makes your soul leave your body halfway up.

Crossing the road on New Road during rush hour? An extreme sport. The pigeons on Rochester High Street don’t move for anyone. The castle is beautiful in the mornings though – empty, misty, almost apologetic.

The M2 bridge is a windy hellgate. One gust nearly took my hood, phone, and dignity. And City Way? My dog decided that was her moment to shine, pulling me full-speed uphill like she was towing a sleigh. I almost ate tarmac.

🧪 Chaos Run Rating System

Metric Rating (out of 10) Notes
Pavement Rage 8 Expect cracked slabs, disappearing kerbs, and one death trap of a roundabout.
Dog Distraction 9 Squirrels. Foxes. Children with sausage rolls. Chaos.
Scenery Boost 6 Good views if you survive to the river. Otherwise, lots of bins and hope.
Vibe Check 7 Ranges from “quiet and eerie” to “village rave energy” depending on time of day.
Chaos Factor 10 Moving bins. Staring strangers. Once saw a goose and a cat team up.

Running Medway isn’t about time or distance. It’s about what you see. And who you become trying to outrun it.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just don’t wear white shoes.


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Medway Towns Vs Maidstone: Which Wins?

Medway and Maidstone – two areas just a few miles apart, yet worlds away in character. One is a gritty, historic hub of culture and resilience, where ancient castles and street art stand side by side; the other a polished, well-behaved cousin with a love for the conventional, boasting manicured parks and neatly arranged shopping streets. Whether you’re after character or convenience, let’s see which town really deserves the crown.

History and Heritage

  • Medway: Home to Rochester Castle, the Historic Dockyard Chatham, and the legacy of Charles Dickens, Medway is unapologetically steeped in history. From Norman sieges to naval dominance, this place has seen it all and still stands strong—no glossy marketing required.
  • Maidstone: With Leeds Castle and the Maidstone Museum, Maidstone has a refined take on history. It’s picturesque, educational, and well-kept—but perhaps a little too well-behaved.

🏆 Winner: Medway – History here isn’t just something to admire; it’s something you can feel in the streets.

Nightlife

  • Medway: Rochester High Street delivers everything from character-filled pubs to rowdy karaoke nights. Fancy a pint in a medieval pub? Head to The Coopers Arms, where the walls have more stories than the locals. Want to end your night singing badly in a dive bar? That’s Medway for you.
  • Maidstone: Clubs, bars, and late-night cocktail spots define Maidstone’s nightlife. It’s got the flash and the DJ sets, but does it have a pub where you can debate conspiracy theories with a bloke called Dave? Probably not.

🏆 Winner: Medway – More personality, more variety, and a higher chance of a legendary night out.

Shopping

  • Medway: The Pentagon Centre might not win any beauty contests, but Rochester’s indie shops, bookshops, and antique stores make shopping here an adventure. It’s for those who prefer the thrill of the hunt over the predictability of a high street chain.
  • Maidstone: With Fremlin Walk and its mix of high-street brands, Maidstone is the go-to for retail therapy. It’s shiny, modern, and reliable—but sometimes, a bit predictable.

🏆 Winner: Medway – If you want charm and curiosity, Rochester’s indie shops give Medway the edge.

Public Transport & Traffic

  • Medway: The buses have a “turn up when they feel like it” energy, and Rochester Bridge traffic is a daily test of patience. But at least everything’s close enough to walk (or swim, if the Medway floods again). Unlike Maidstone, where a ‘quick trip’ to the shops often involves a car, a parking headache, and the patience of a saint, Medway keeps everything within stumbling distance.
  • Maidstone: The transport is smoother, and the roads aren’t quite as stress-inducing. There’s a level of order here that Medway can only dream of.

🏆 Winner: Maidstone – If reliable transport matters to you, Maidstone takes this one.

Nature and Green Spaces

  • Medway: Riverside Country Park, Fort Amherst, Capstone Park, and the Esplanade offer up a mix of stunning views, hidden tunnels, and dodgy geese looking for a fight.
  • Maidstone: Mote Park is a beauty, and the surrounding countryside is great for an escape. It’s postcard-perfect.

🏆 Winner: Tie – Medway’s got rugged charm and historical intrigue; Maidstone’s got the manicured landscapes.

The People & Community

  • Medway: Expect unfiltered honesty, random but passionate pub debates, and a community that sticks together. Ask for directions, and you might end up with a personal tour and a life story, plus an unsolicited opinion on which chippy does the best curry sauce. Ask for directions, and you might end up with a personal tour and a life story.
  • Maidstone: Friendly, polite, and generally more reserved. You’ll get a smile, but will you get a chat about the best chippy in town? Unlikely.

🏆 Winner: Medway – More character, more conversation, more community spirit.

The Verdict

At the end of the day, it depends on what you want.

  • Looking for polished, well-organised, and sensible? Maidstone’s your place.
  • Want history with grit, nights out with chaos, and a town full of personality? Welcome to Medway.

No matter which side you’re on, one thing’s for sure—Medway will never be boring. Whether it’s a historic fortress, a chaotic pub crawl, or a spirited debate over which chippy reigns supreme, Medway thrives on energy, character, and unpredictability.

💬 What do you think? Which town wins for you? Reply in the comments!

The Medway Bucket List: 50 Things to Do Before You Leave

Medway’s not just a place – it’s where you’ll dodge mobility scooters and argue over chippy rankings. On Rochester High Street, Saturday nights mean weaving through karaoke spill over and late-night kebab queues. Love it, hate it, or both, here’s your ultimate bucket list.

1-10: The Chaos Checklist

  1. Dodge a Mobility Scooter on Rochester High Street – Bonus points if it’s after midnight and heading for a kebab shop.
  2. Get Lost in the Pentagon Centre – Bonus points if you actually find the shop you were looking for on the first try.
  3. Queue for a Sweeps Festival Beer Tent – An endurance test disguised as a local tradition. Be prepared to queue so long you’ll consider making friends with the people next to you—or forming a support group.
  4. Brave the Pentagon Centre – It survived the 80s, but can you survive its labyrinth of chaos?
  5. Take a Pothole Tour – Featuring the Strood ‘Grand Canyon,’ infamous for swallowing entire tyres, and Chatham’s ‘Black Hole of Lost Tyres,’ where urban legends claim a bus once disappeared.
  6. Get a Late-Night Kebab in Gillingham – Complete with indecipherable graffiti and someone shouting about their lost shoe.
  7. See Someone in a Grey Tracksuit at Greggs – Medway fashion at its peak.
  8. Shout “Alright?” Down an Alley – If no one shouts back, are you even in Medway?
  9. Take a Bus Ride Through Chatham – Who needs a thriller movie when you’ve got this adventure?
  10. Find a Floating Greggs Bag on the Medway River – It’s Medway’s unofficial mascot.

11-20: The Medway Spirit

  1. Take a Pint on the Esplanade – Bonus points if you spot a crab staring back at you.
  2. Wade Through the Strood Ducks – They’re organising. Be vigilant.
  3. Climb Rochester Castle Drunk – Nothing says Medway like scaling ancient ruins while holding onto a pint for dear life. Just don’t let go of the pint—it’s the only thing standing between you and a medieval-style lawsuit.
  4. Attend a Sweeps Parade and Get Lost – No map, no plan, just vibes.
  5. Spot the Blue Bell Hill Ghost – If she doesn’t appear, were you even trying?
  6. Debate Maidstone vs. Medway – The answer is obvious, but the argument is half the fun.
  7. Find the Graffiti that Tells You the Truth – Chatham walls are basically modern philosophers.
  8. Order the Most Overloaded Fry-Up You Can Find – A full English or death.
  9. Complain About Rochester Bridge Traffic – Bonus points if you do it while stuck on the bridge.
  10. Argue About Which Chippy Is the Best – Everyone’s wrong except you.

21-30: Forgotten Glory

  1. Try to Find the Medway Tunnels – They’re real. Or not. Who cares?
  2. Visit Upnor Castle – Explore this historic riverside fort and imagine defending Medway from invaders with a pint in hand.
  3. Reminisce About the Strand Lido – Once the go-to summer spot with its outdoor pools and questionable diving boards, now remembered as the place where fun went to die in the 80s.
  4. Take a Shortcut Through an Alleyway – It’s like playing Russian roulette with your route.
  5. Find an Antique in Rochester and Claim You Knew Its Value – You didn’t, but now you’ll proudly tell everyone about the “rare Victorian teaspoon” that turned out to be a souvenir from Margate.
  6. Sing Karaoke in a Random Pub – Extra points if it’s something from The Singing Loins.
  7. Attend a Gillingham Football Match – The highs, the lows, the existential dread.
  8. Discover Medway’s Weirdest Street Names – There’s bound to be a pun or a bad joke somewhere.
  9. Run Into Someone You Know in a Charity Shop – It’s a rite of passage.
  10. Spot a Soggy Pigeon in Strood – It’s a mood.

31-40: Outrageous Medway Moments

  1. Watch Morris Dancers Battle It Out at Sweeps – It’s more intense than any UFC fight.
  2. Climb to the Top of Fort Amherst – Take in the sweeping views of Medway and feel like a local conqueror for a moment.
  3. Explore Street Art in Chatham – Tag your own spot. Rebellion lives here.
  4. Have a Pint Next to a Stranger Who Tells You Their Life Story – You didn’t ask, but now you know.
  5. Buy Something Weird at a Boot Fair – The stranger, the better.
  6. Navigate the Christmas Crowds in Rochester – The Dickensian spirit will test you.
  7. Sit on a Bench by the River and Watch the Ducks Plotting – What are they up to? Only time will tell. Rumour has it they’re organizing a takeover of Strood Retail Park—and honestly, who could stop them?
  8. Find the Weirdest Menu Item in Medway – Bonus points if it involves questionable seafood.
  9. Shout “Chatham!” at Someone and See Their Reaction – It’s never neutral.
  10. Try to Get Through Strood Retail Park Without Swearing – Impossible.

41-50: Embrace the Mayhem

  1. Visit Fort Amherst and Pretend You’re in a War Film – Bonus points for dramatic sound effects.
  2. Walk the High Streets and Count Vape Shops – Prizes awarded for spotting the most creatively named flavours (looking at you, ‘Strawberry Banana Unicorn’).
  3. Attend a Medway Zine Fair – DIY culture is alive and well.
  4. Brave the Aldi Middle Aisle – It’s a safari of chaos and surprises.
  5. Tour Rochester Cathedral’s Crypt – Dive into Medway’s spookiest history with a visit to the crypt and keep an eye out for any ghostly locals still paying rent.
  6. Spot a Celebrity Who’s Definitely Not a Celebrity – Every Medway local knows one.
  7. Take a Photo with a Sweaty Morris Dancer – The ultimate Medway souvenir.
  8. Find a Secret Drinking Spot by the River – Just don’t tell anyone else.
  9. Create Your Own Medway Survival Guide – It’s every local for themselves.
  10. Celebrate Medway’s Grit and Charm – Raise a pint to the quirks, the chaos, and the unshakable spirit that make Medway unlike anywhere else.

Final Thoughts

Medway isn’t just a place—it’s a survival test with chips and burger sauce at the finish line. Got something to add to the list? Share it in the comments so we can add it to the chaos!

Why Medway Is Secretly Better Than London

Why Medway is Secretly Better than London

London might have its shiny skyline and overpriced oat lattes, but let’s be real: it’s exhausting. Medway, on the other hand, has everything you need with half the stress and double the personality. Here’s why the underdog of Kent is quietly putting London to shame—no Tube delays required.

Affordability: Medway Doesn’t Mug You Blind

You know what you can buy in London for £5? A limp croissant or a third of a pint. In Medway, £5 gets you a proper cup of tea, a bacon sandwich, and maybe even change for a scratch card. Rent? You could probably afford a house here for what you’d pay for a broom closet in Zone 1.

Real People, Real Conversations

In London, no one makes eye contact. In Medway, people will chat to you at the bus stop, the pub, or even in the queue for Greggs. Sure, some conversations might involve conspiracy theories or unsolicited life advice, but at least they’re not silently glaring at you through their sunglasses like in Soho.

The Chaos Is Authentic

Medway’s chaos is charming. A night out in Rochester High Street is like stepping into an indie film where the cast forgot their lines, but it’s all part of the fun. You’ll see everything from impromptu karaoke to someone riding a mobility scooter through the kebab shop. Try finding that level of entertainment in Shoreditch.

History That Isn’t Hidden Behind Glass

London has museums. Medway has living, breathing history. Rochester Castle looms over the town like it owns the place (it kind of does), and you can climb it, touch it, or even have a pint in its shadow. Dickens lived here, for crying out loud. Meanwhile, in London, you’ll pay £20 to stare at a rock in the British Museum.

No Tube, No Problems

London’s Tube system is a daily exercise in misery. Packed carriages, signal failures, and the occasional sweaty armpit in your face. Medway doesn’t have a Tube, but it does have buses that turn up eventually and trains that don’t require you to re-mortgage your house for a ticket. Walking around here is actually pleasant, too.

The River Medway > The Thames

The Thames is iconic, sure, but would you want to swim in it? No thanks. The River Medway, on the other hand, is full of kayakers, paddleboarders, and maybe a few crabs. It’s not just a waterway; it’s a playground. And let’s face it—there’s something poetic about sipping a pint by the river without getting trampled by tourists.

Community Over Clout

London is all about who you know and where you’ve been. Medway? It’s about showing up. The festivals here are packed with locals who actually care, not influencers looking for the perfect selfie. Sweeps Festival, Dickensian Christmas, and Castle Concerts have actual soul, not just hashtags.

Creative Rebellion Is Everywhere

Medway’s art scene isn’t curated by some elite gallery; it’s plastered on walls, played in pubs, and written in DIY zines. The street art in Chatham, the local bands in Gillingham, and the handmade crafts at farmers’ markets all scream, “We do this because we love it, not because it’s trendy.”

Medway Nights Are Wilder (And Cheaper)

Want a wild night in London? Prepare to queue for hours, pay £15 for a cocktail, and end the evening crying over your empty wallet. In Medway, you can hit five pubs in one night, dance in a random dive bar, and still afford cheesy chips on the way home. Plus, there’s a solid chance you’ll end up in a hilarious story.

It’s Just… Real

London’s polished façade is great for Instagram, but Medway is raw, unfiltered, and unapologetically itself. It doesn’t try to impress you with glitz—it lets its quirks, grit, and charm do the talking. From quirky antique shops to the guy who swears his goat is haunted, Medway is full of stories that actually matter.

So Why Choose Medway Over London?

Because Medway doesn’t care about being cool, and that’s what makes it so much cooler. It’s not perfect, but it’s real, it’s messy, and it’s full of character. Medway isn’t trying to be London—it’s better.

Concerts and Live Shows in Medway: A Guide to 2025 Events

Medway is a hub of vibrant culture and live entertainment, and 2025 promises to deliver an exciting array of concerts and shows for every taste. From music legends to local talents, there’s something for everyone. Here’s your guide to the best upcoming live events in Medway.

Why Attend Local Shows?

Supporting local concerts and live performances doesn’t just ensure a great night out—it’s also a way to contribute to the growth of Medway’s cultural scene. By attending these events, you’re helping local artists thrive, boosting venues, and fostering a strong community spirit.

Must-See Events in Medway 2025

Taylormania – A Taylor Swift Tribute

Date: March 14, 2025
Location: Central Theatre, Chatham
Experience the magic of Taylor Swift’s music with Katy Ellis’ award-winning tribute. Sing along to hits like Shake It Off and Love Story in a night celebrating one of pop music’s biggest stars.

The Bon Jovi Experience – 30th Anniversary Tour

Date: April 20, 2025
Location: Central Theatre, Chatham
Endorsed by Jon Bon Jovi himself, this high-energy tribute band delivers rock ‘n’ roll classics like Livin’ on a Prayer and You Give Love a Bad Name. Perfect for Bon Jovi fans and rock lovers alike.

Paul Chowdhry: Englandia

Date: May 11, 2025
Location: Central Theatre, Chatham
Laugh out loud with comedian Paul Chowdhry as he brings his observational humor and sharp wit to Medway with his new show, Englandia.

Fastlove – A Tribute to George Michael

Date: June 30, 2025
Location: Central Theatre, Chatham
Celebrate the music of George Michael with this acclaimed tribute show, featuring hits like Faith and Careless Whisper. A perfect evening for fans of the legendary artist.

The Legend of Meatloaf

Date: September 15, 2025
Location: Central Theatre, Chatham
Relive the legendary music of Meatloaf with this live show featuring hits like Bat Out of Hell. A night of nostalgia and incredible performances awaits.

Natural History Museum: Dinosaurs Live

Date: August 10, 2025
Location: Central Theatre, Chatham
For the first time, the Natural History Museum brings life-like dinosaurs to the stage, taking audiences on a prehistoric journey through the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.

Tom Gates EPIC Stage Show

Date: October 2, 2025
Location: Central Theatre, Chatham
Based on the bestselling books by Liz Pichon, this new stage show brings Tom Gates’ illustrations and music to life, offering fun for the whole family.

The Dinosaur That Pooped – A Rock Show

Date: November 15, 2025
Location: Central Theatre, Chatham
A fun-filled family show featuring music, laughter, and a lot of prehistoric poop, based on the popular children’s book series.

The Sensational 60s Experience

Date: December 7, 2025
Location: Central Theatre, Chatham
An evening celebrating the iconic sounds of the 1960s, featuring a lineup of artists performing classic hits from the decade.

Sounds of the 60s Live

Date: December 15, 2025
Location: Central Theatre, Chatham
Hosted by a renowned DJ, this show features live performances of 60s classics by the Sounds of the 60s All Star Band & Singers.

Rochester Castle Concerts 2025

Dates: Summer 2025 (Exact dates TBC)
Location: Rochester Castle
A Medway tradition, these concerts bring big-name acts to the historic Rochester Castle grounds. Previous years have featured artists like Craig David and The Libertines, so 2025 is bound to impress.

Tips for Making the Most of Medway’s Live Events

  1. Book Early: Many events sell out quickly, especially those at popular venues like the Central Theatre and Rochester Castle.
  2. Support Local Venues: Grab a meal or drink at nearby pubs and restaurants before or after the show to support Medway’s small businesses.
  3. Check Accessibility: Most venues in Medway offer excellent accessibility, but it’s always a good idea to confirm in advance.
  4. Get Involved: Follow local event pages and community boards to stay updated on the latest announcements.

How to Stay Updated

For a full list of events and to book tickets, visit:

  • Medway Tickets Live
  • Check local social media pages like Facebook for last-minute gigs and announcements.

Medway’s live music and entertainment scene is thriving, and 2025 is shaping up to be an incredible year for events. Whether you’re into pop tributes, rock concerts, or comedy gigs, there’s plenty to enjoy. So mark your calendars, gather your friends, and make plans to support Medway’s vibrant cultural scene. Together, we can ensure that our community continues to flourish as a destination for great entertainment.