On your bike in the other direction you could get to Gravesend.
In the Victorian times Gravesend was THE place to go. You could swim in the
Thames, a small sandy beach and a nice promenade. In the 50's it was still
a good place for a days cycling. You could go on the ferry to Tilbury (but
not stay) and then back. Being a riverside town there were many good "Greasy
Spoon Cafes"
The open air Lido was the place to go on a sunny day.
Swimming in the Thames in the 50's was by then dangerous.
Even fish went south. So the open air Lido was the place to go on a sunny
day. Opened in 1896 for the holiday makers.
Gravesend High Street when it had some proper shops.
Gravesend High Street when it had some proper shops. Marks and Spencer opened their store in 1912 as a penny bazaar. Fifties Gravesend was a joy to visit, today you would get dizzy trying to find your way round the one way system.