Rainham, Kent facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rainham |
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|---|---|
| Town | |
 St. Margaret's Church, Rainham |
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 Rainham
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| Population | 34,088 (2011 census, Rainham North, Central and South wards) |
| OS grid reference | TQ815655 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | GILLINGHAM |
| Postcode district | ME7, ME8 |
| Dialling code | 01634 |
| Police | Kent |
| Fire | Kent |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
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Rainham is a town located in Medway, Kent, England. It is part of a group of towns that includes Chatham, Rochester, Strood, and Gillingham.
Contents
A Look at Rainham's Past
Rainham used to be a small village. Over time, it grew and joined with nearby towns. In 1929, it became part of the Municipal Borough of Gillingham. Later, in 1998, Gillingham and other towns formed the Medway area. So, Rainham is now part of the larger Medway area.
Where is Rainham?
Rainham is located on land that slopes down from the North Downs hills towards the River Medway. The highest parts of Rainham are about 125 meters (410 feet) above sea level. The town also has a waterfront along the River Medway to the north.
London is about 39 miles (63 km) to the west of Rainham.
Getting Around Rainham
Several important roads pass through Rainham:
- The M2 motorway runs along the southern edge of the town, about 2 miles (3 km) from the town center.
- The main road, the A2, follows an old Roman road called Watling Street. This road connected London and Canterbury long ago.
- Another road runs close to the River Medway's southern bank.
Rainham also has its own railway station on the Chatham Main Line. You can also find National Cycle Route 1 passing through the town, which is great for bikes!
Parts of Rainham
- The Park Wood area, south of Rainham, was built mostly in the 1960s and 1970s.
- The area closer to Gillingham is known as Rainham Mark. This name comes from an old boundary marker.
- Macklands is an older part of the town located to the north.
- Lower Rainham was once a separate village, but now it's also part of Rainham.
How Rainham Grew
Rainham started as a small settlement along the main road. In 1801, only 422 people lived there. Today, the population is over 30,000!
A big reason for this growth was the railway. When the railway arrived in 1858, the village quickly started to get bigger. When the Chatham Main Line became electric in 1959, even more people moved to Rainham, just like other towns along the line. This led to new housing areas being built, such as the Park Wood estate.
What to Do in Rainham
Rainham has a small shopping area called the Rainham Shopping Centre. It has a few main shops for people to visit. This shopping center was built in the 1970s.
Rainham is also home to a special theater called an oast house theatre. An oast house is a building traditionally used for drying hops (a plant used in beer). Here, the Rainham Theatrical Society (RaTS) puts on plays and shows regularly.
Local News and Entertainment
Newspapers
For local news, you can read the Medway Messenger. There are also free newspapers like the Medway Extra and yourmedway.
Television
Local TV news and shows for Rainham come from BBC South East and ITV Meridian. These signals are sent from the Bluebell Hill transmitting station.
Radio
The local radio station for Rainham is KMFM Medway. You can also listen to community radio station Radio Sunlight. Other stations you might hear include BBC Radio Kent, Heart, and Smooth.
Schools in Rainham
Rainham has four secondary schools for students:
- The Howard School: This is a selective school for boys.
- Rainham Mark Grammar School: This is a selective school for both boys and girls. Students need to take the Medway Test to get in.
- Rainham School for Girls: This is a comprehensive school for girls.
- Leigh Academy Rainham: This is a comprehensive school for both girls and boys.
You can find a full list of schools in the area by visiting List of schools in Medway.
Parks and Green Spaces
The Riverside Country Park is a great place to visit. It is located along the River Medway at Rainham Creek. Inside the park, you'll find a spot called Horrid Hill.
Another natural area is Berengrave Local Nature Reserve. This used to be a chalk pit but is now a protected nature area. It's located on Lower Rainham Road.
Rainham also has several other parks and fields for sports and recreation.
Images for kids
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Rainham station in 1992
