Learning from defined settlements: 
Gravesend, historic town of fine grain streets

Gravesend lies immediately to the north of Watling Street. Its geographical situation has given Gravesend strategic importance throughout the maritime and communications history of South East England.

The location of Gravesend is at a point where the lowest slope of the North Downs reaches the river bank. To the east are the low-lying Shorne Marshes; to the west, beyond Northfleet, the Swanscombe Marshes. The settlement established because it was a good landing place and sheltered by the prominent height of Windmill Hill. The Domesday Book recorded mills, hithes, and fisheries here.

Through observations of the morphology of this historic waterfront settlement, what is particularly noticeable is the orthogonal form of the original town. Historic maps of Gravesend (above), show a strong defined ‘square’ of development on the river frontage, bounded by Darnley Road to the west, Wellington Street and Milton Lane to the east and Trafalgar Road to the south.

The streets within this orthogonal built form, are fine grained. The pedestrianised high street is 3-4 storeys high with a width of around 7m with close grain shop fronts with apartments above providing a sense of enclosure and encouraging community engagement.  Harman Street in contrast is more formal with uniform frontages, a clock tower and is slightly wider at around 13m. Both streets end with a pier.