Faversham CreekNavigation

Guide

Navigation Guide

Supplies and Services

Local History

This project has been supported by: Medway & SwaleEstuary Partnership; Swale Borough Council;

Faversham Town Centre Management; FavershamTown Council; The Faversham Society.

This project is beingpartly financed by theEuropean RegionalDevelopment Fund.

Faversham TownCentre Management

Printed June 2001A

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Faversham and its creek lie on the north coast of Kentin south-east England. The town is 10 miles fromCanterbury, 55 from London and 67 nautical milesfrom Oostende.

Faversham is a small market town with a populationof nearly 18,000, renowned for its historic buildings,local boat and brewing industries, picturesquefarmland and estuarine landscapes.

Swale Borough Council, Faversham Town Counciland the Medway and Swale Estuary Partnership areworking together to promote Faversham Creek andits surrounding countryside to local and continentalsailors.

The Front Brents Jetty on Faversham Creek has 20berths. All water, electricity supply, lighting andsecurity has been renewed in 2001. Faversham Creekruns into the town and the berths are just fiveminutes walk from the town centre. Berths are alsoavailable at Iron Wharf on Faversham Creek, andTesters and Youngboats on Oare Creek.

Oostende

Calais

Boulogne

Folkestone

Dover

FavershamRamsgate

Availability of berths at Front Brents Jetty can be checked with Faversham Town Council 01795 594442/3 or email:Faversham.TownCouncil@virgin.net

Faversham

THAMES ESTUARY

ESSEX

KENT

Introduction Faversham and its Creek

Faversham and

its creek lie on

the north coast

of Kent in

south-east

England,

10 miles from

Canterbury,

55 from

London and

67 nautical

miles from

Oostende.

Jetty

To Chandler

Saxon Shore Way

Front Brents

Bridge Rd Abbey Stre

et

Cour

t St

Crescent Road

West Street

West Street

East Street

NorthLane

Station Road

A2 London Road

South Road

Tann

ers

Stre

et

The

Mal

l

Pres

ton

Stre

et

Stone Street

Cross Lane

FAVERSHAM

CREEK

A251

Sittingbourne

Canterbury

Ashford

New

ton

Road

Quay Lane

Sax

on

Ro

ad

Rom

anR

oad

FavershamRailway Station

Church

SwimmingPool

Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre

GuildHall

ChartMills

The Albion

The Corner Shop

Faversham town centre

Access and Attractions

Saxon Shore WayA long-distance, signed coastal footpath runs onlya few metres from the creekside moorings.

Faversham TrailsThree trails, with a map, which help visitorsexplore Faversham’s town and country.

TrainsProvide a direct link to Canterbury (10 mins),London (1h 15mins) and Ramsgate (35mins).

CyclingThe National Cycle Route runs within 100metresof the moorings and provides access to the coastand town.

MotoringThe M2 and A2 pass by Faversham.

BirdwatchingThe Swale is a seaway bordered by saltmarsh andmudflats internationally important for breedingand wintering birds. Brent geese, wigeon andavocet are a few of many species seen at Oare andSouth Swale Nature Reserves.

PubsFaversham has many fine pubs.The Albion, situated adjacent tothe visitor moorings, sellsexcellent food and locally brewedShepherd Neame beers, and hasa beer garden.

Fleur de Lis Heritage CentreOpen six days a week, illustratingFaversham’s 2,000-year history incolourful displays. Preston Street.

Chart Gunpowder MillsThe oldest of their kind in theworld. Open Saturday, Sundayand Bank Holidays from Easterto October, 14.00 to 17.00. OffSouth Road.

Faversham Swimming Pools Indoor pool open all year round,outdoor pool open during thesummer.

Abbey StreetThe longest preserved medievalstreet in the country.

For information onthese and otherattractions inFaversham and thesurrounding district,visit Faversham’swebsite:www.faversham.org or contact theTourist InformationCentre at theFleur de LisHeritage Centre 01795 534542

southern North Sea, was once busy with Thamesbarges carrying goods such as gunpowder, bricks andagricultural produce to London. Some of thesebarges, now privately preserved, can be seen atStandard Quay.

What does the area have to offer?Listed in this guide are just a few of the many

facilities that Faversham and the surrounding area hasto offer. More information on these and otherattractions can be obtained from the TouristInformation Centre at the Fleur de Lis HeritageCentre, Preston Street 01795 534542 or fromSwale Tourism, Sittingbourne 01795 417478.

The Faversham calendar includes the Classic CarRally in May, the Open House Scheme in July, theHop Festival in August / September and the eveningCarnival in October.

With its unspoilt public houses and reasonably pricedeating-places, the town is a wonderful place to visit.

Feversham,

a large

populous, and

as some say,

a rich town:

the principle

business we

found among

them, was

fishing for

oysters…

Daniel Defoe, A Tour through

the Whole Islandof Great Britain,

1724

“

”

A small market town Favershammay be, yet it boasts over 475 listedbuildings and Britain’s best-preserved medieval street; oldestbrewery; oldest company and oldestgunpowder mill.

Intensely photogenic, Favershamcombines the charm of an historictown with the bustle of a workingcommunity and colourful shoppingcentre.

The town’s certain history datesfrom the Roman era and it was animportant centre when Kent was aseparate Anglo-Saxon kingdom.

Traces of a ruined abbey, the restingplace of King Stephen and QueenMatilda, can be seen in Abbey Streeton the adjacent bank of the Creek.

The tidal creek, connecting the portof Faversham to The Swale and the

Faversham – Historic Town and Port

Phot

ogra

ph co

urte

sy o

f The

Fav

ersh

am T

imes

51°20'

0°54' E

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BY

G

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RNo6

RNo8

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No10

RNo12

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16

R

14

RNo2

RNo4

No2No1

No3

No5

No7

No9

No11

HARTY FERRY

Ha

rdFS

FS

Weston Works

S a l t i n g s

S a l t i n g s

Sa

lt

in

gs

Gr o y n e s

Sa

lt

in

gs

Power

Cottages

Normans Hill

(Safe overhead clearance 25m)

Nagden Marshes

Nagden

Ham Marshes

BoughtonMastWhf

Slip

SlipWhf

SewageWorks

Church

Church

Spire

Tower

Faversham Spit

Mud

Mud

Pylon

Channel about 8 metres from buoy;

midway to north bank opposite

Channel is midway between

banks and saltings

12

15

19

22

2223

25

Channel midway between

salting banks

Channel midway between

salting banks

White Stones Channel 8 metres off

Pole

Shed

Stakes

Shipwrights

Arms

Outfall

Obstructions

Obstructions

Ch

urch

sp

ire

an

dO

yste

rW

are

ho

use

intra

nsit

FAVERSHAM

WRECK

(conspic)

OARE CREEK

Chnl 20° off

bank

ObstnObstn

Salt ings

Salt ings

Iron Wharf BoatyardStandartandard d

QuayQuay

Town Quaywn QuaySwing bridgewing bridge

WhfWhf

Standard Quay

Town QuaySwing bridge

Whf

Sea wall

Sea wall

Sea wall

Front Bren

ts Jet

ty

Metres

0 500

Faversham Creek

To be used in conjunction with navigational charts

Facilities

London Weather CentreWeather information and forecasts0207 831 5986

Police / Emergency services999

Faversham Health Centrefor most medical needs and enquiries. 01795 562000

Faversham Creek Chandlery9am-6pm (closed Tues)Stocks: safety equipment and wide range of nautical requirements, including charts.(“Y14” for Faversham Creek)01795 591957

Iron Wharf BoatyardBoat diesel, showers and washing machines

Contacts

Medway Ports Authority01795 596596

Faversham Town Council01795 594442

Swale Tourism, Swale Borough Council01795 417478

Medway and Swale Estuary Partnership01795 590112

Faversham Tourist Information Centre01795 534542

Information Faversham Creek

We hope you will enjoy yourvisit to Faversham, but please:

• dispose of refuse at designatedpoints. Try to use the recyclingfacilities where possible. (Tescoand Swimming Pool car parks).

• please do not alight on islands inthe Swale and Medway, these areenvironmentally sensitive areasthat support internationally rarebirds and plants.

Communications

In addition to VHF Ch 16, marinersare advised to monitor VHF Ch 12(Port Control London) in theThames estuary for details ofshipping movements and similarlyCh 74 (Medway radio) in theMedway/Swale area. Current tidalheights are available from thesestations.

Kingsferry Bridge can be contacted on VHF Ch 10to arrange a lift.

Thames Coastguard VHF Ch.16/6701255 675518 Emergency phone 999

Information Faversham Creek

Booking, fees and moorings

Visiting craft, up to a length of 8 metres, cangenerally be accommodated at the Front Brents Jetty.The moorings are on soft mud that is exposed at lowtide. Craft are attached to the wooden jetty, which hasaccess ladders.

Fresh water and electricity will be available from theearly part of the 2001 sailing season.

The jetty is secured by a self-locking gate. Thesecurity gate code will be supplied when mooring feesare paid. Please note that you will be unable to returnto the mooring without knowing the security code.

Fees can be paid at the Albion public house, next tothe jetty, or at the Corner Shop, Church Road, Upper Brents – the store is 100 metres south fromthe jetty. The Corner Shop is open from 6:00 to18:30 weekdays, 7:00 to 18:30 Saturday, and 8:00 to12:00 Sunday.

The Albion 01795 591411

The Corner Shop 01795 532336 or email 7834@7834pbox.fs.net.co.uk

Creek approach

• Faversham Spit waypoint 51:20.7N, 0:54.3E.

• Buoys are available at Harty Ferry for boats to wait forthe tide to enter the Creek.

• Channel depths of up to 2.5 metres can be foundaround HW.

• Without local knowledge, passage is recommended fordaylight only.

• Ideally passage should be commenced into the Creekabout 1.5 hrs before HW, depending on draught. Tides+01.25 Dover.

• Note should be taken of meteorological conditionswhich may reduce the predicted tidal height forexample in strong southerly winds or predominantlyhigh pressure conditions.

• The use of an echo sounder is recommended.

• Passage at half speed is recommended to allow forreserve power to back off mud flats in the event ofinadvertent grounding.

• Note that the buoy-to-buoy courses are not straightlines. Consider the line of the Creek banks betweenthe buoys.

• Pass about 5 metres off the buoys.

• Tides rise and fall 15 minutes earlier than at Chatham.

• River byelaws defining the rules and regulations ofnavigation and usage have been issued by the MedwayPorts Authority and are in force.

• Speed limit in the creek is 6 knots – speed must beappropriate for prevailing conditions and the safety ofothers – be aware of your wash.

• If in difficulty a pilot or tug is usually available fromthe Iron Wharf Boatyard 01795 536296 / 537122VHF channel 8 Iron Wharf.

Navigation Faversham Creek

Navigation Faversham Creek

Sailing directions

Leaving the Faversham Spit northcardinal buoy to starboard, steersouth-west into Faversham Creek.Keep the red can buoys well to yourport side as there is someencroachment of the mud bank intothe deep water channel betweenbuoys numbered 2 – 6.

The starboard side of the channel ismarked by a green cone no.1initially with the next marker in theshape of a green triangle above thewreck. This is situated well to thestarboard side and care must betaken at this point to stay aroundmid channel.

From no.8 red can, navigation is straight down thefairway and make a good course towards theboatyard and Shipwright’s Arms, which lie at thejunction of Faversham and Oare Creeks, there beinga large mud bank on the starboard side at thisjuncture. The south-west channel leads to Oare viaOare Creek.

At the fork, continue to port into Faversham Creekproper, leaving the pub to starboard. Follow thestarboard bank until abeam the stone sea-wallrevetment. Alter smartly to port until the pylon isfine on the port bow. This should take one to thenext green buoy no.5 which should be gentlyrounded following the bank line. Proceed along thechannel guided by the Starboard hand buoys takingnote of the line of the banks.

Having passed green buoy no.7, one should beabout 5 metres from the port bank heading towardsNagden Cottages. Take note of the FavershamChurch spire to starboard in the distance and thelarge rectangular warehouse building in the distantforeground. When the two are in transit alter tostarboard so as to place the red can buoy no.14 onthe port bow. This will take one clear of thenotorious Nagden Bump. Having passed the red canno.14 (with the starboard bank close to), alter about30 degrees to port to clear the next green buoyno.11. Continue following the channel as before.

On passing the sewage works, Iron Wharf Boatyardwill be seen ahead. Visitors’ berths are available here(rafted out) or one can proceed on for a further 800metres to Front Brents Jetty to starboard and theTown Quay to port. It is recommended to proceedat minimum speed upstream of Iron Wharf.

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