Great Lines Heritage Park

Great Lines Heritage Park
This metal sculpture is on Brompton Road, one of the many entrances to the park
Map
TypePublic Heritage park
LocationMedway, Kent, United Kingdom
Coordinates51°23′06″N 0°32′13″E / 51.385°N 0.537°E / 51.385; 0.537
Area70 hectares (170 acres)
Created2008
Operated byMedway Council

The Great Lines Heritage Park is a complex network of open spaces in the Medway Towns, connecting Chatham, Gillingham, Brompton and the Historic Dockyard. The long military history of the towns has dominated the history of the site and the park. The Great Lines Heritage Park, consists of Fort Amherst, Chatham Lines, the Field of Fire (later known as the Great Lines), Inner Lines, Medway Park (sports centre) together with the Lower Lines.

The Lines, were constructed in Napoleonic times. They were never used (during the wars) but they have been used to be a barrier to development, keeping the fort and the Lines mostly untouched.[1]

Dedication plaque 'The Great Lines, which lie before you is the area of land reserved since the 18th Century as the line of fire of the Cannon defending Chatham Naval Dockyard. In 1989, the land was acquired by Gillingham Borough Council for the future amenity and enjoyment of local people. Unveiled 15 March 1989.'

Most of the park is accessible to all at most times. It has many pedestrian and cycle links for residents of the two towns of Gillingham and Chatham.

  1. ^ Levick, Ben (24 April 2012). "The Great Lines Heritage Park Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 - 2016" (PDF). www.medway.gov.uk. Greenspaces Development Team, Medway Council. Retrieved 10 January 2014.