The Paddock

The Paddock
Type	Urban park
Location	Military Road, Chatham, Kent
Nearest town	Chatham
Coordinates	51°23′04.6″N 00°31′29.5″E
Designer	HTA Design
Owned by	Medway Council
Administered by	Medway Council
Open	Open year-round, 24 hours a day
Website	The Paddock

The Paddock is a historic public space located in the town centre of Chatham, Kent. Situated in and between Chatham Waterfront, Chatham Waterfront bus station and the Pentagon Shopping Centre, it has served as an important green space for over a century. Originally known as The Shrubbery, the area was later renamed The Paddock. The space has undergone several transformations over the years, evolving from a Edwardian park to an urban plaza, reflecting the development of Chatham itself.

History

Origins

The Paddock, situated in the centre of Chatham, Kent, has a rich history. Originally known as "The Shrubbery", this green space was adjacent to the newly completed Chatham Town Hall, finished in 1900. Its proximity to the Town Hall made it a central hub for public life, serving as a place for recreation and community gatherings.

The area was initially marshland, reclaimed in the 16th century. It later came under the ownership of the War Department before being purchased by Chatham Council around the turn of the 20th century. Once reclaimed, the land formed part of the defensive "field of fire" for the Chatham Lines. However, following the Napoleonic Wars, its military use declined, and the area was gradually transformed into a green space with planted trees. The land wall (now Globe Lane) was completed by 1633, facilitating the reclamation of surrounding marshland.

19th century

The urban morphology that defines this area of Chatham emerged in the early 19th century, as shown in an 1804 map illustrating the proposed Military Road, built parallel and just north of Globe Lane (which followed the line of the old Land Wall). By 1806, this new route had been implemented, connecting the town to Fort Pitt and the Chatham Lines. This development established a long, narrow parcel of land — the strip we now know as The Paddock — set between the two parallel roads.

By 1816, development had occurred along the eastern frontage of Military Road and the western edge of Globe Lane, framing The Paddock as a central open island of space within the urban fabric. Built development had also begun to the south of The Paddock by this time.

An Admiralty map of 1840 shows The Paddock's trees, aligning it with other planted areas nearby — particularly the future sites of the National Schools, which had been constructed by 1866. These retained much of the mature tree coverage. By this date, the tree-lined space had acquired the name "The Shrubbery".

By 1898, further school buildings were added on the northeast side of Church Hill, just north of The Shrubbery, extending as far as the line of the fortifications. The last significant undeveloped plot northeast of The Shrubbery was selected for the construction of Chatham Town Hall, completed in 1899. This civic building was prominently sited, with The Shrubbery forming a key element of its setting. A turn-of-the-century postcard shows the open green space still being let by the War Department for pasture use, despite its civic context.

Early 20th century

In the 1910s, the local authority initiated a broader programme of public open space creation. As part of this, The Shrubbery was formally acquired and redesigned into a small public park, with serpentine footpaths, new boundary treatments, and additional trees. It is likely that the space was renamed "The Paddock" at this time. The name appears officially on the 1932 Ordnance Survey map, which also shows the addition of public lavatories at the southern end of the park.

During World War II, The Paddock was temporarily used as a car park. By 1955, Ordnance Survey maps show a large restaurant to the south, with further structures along the eastern edge. Tree cover had been significantly reduced by this point, with only a line of trees remaining along the western perimeter.

In the late 1970s, during the construction of the Pentagon Shopping Centre, the northern half of The Paddock was used as a temporary location for retail units. These, along with the restaurant, were cleared after the centre opened. As part of this redevelopment, the eastern side of The Paddock was remodelled, including the narrowing of Military Road and a radical change in vehicle flow through the area. The present-day character of The Paddock largely dates to this period.

The surrounding redevelopment also included the creation of Mountbatten House, a prominent multi-storey office block, constructed southeast of The Paddock as part of Chatham’s post-war civic centre vision.

The Paddock Restaurant (1940–1976)

In 1940, during World War II, the British government launched the British Restaurant programme to provide affordable meals for citizens affected by wartime scarcity. These establishments were initially created to serve those made homeless by bombing and were administered by local authorities or charities. By 1943, over 2,000 were in operation. After the war, councils were permitted to take ownership of these restaurants if they wished.

Chatham’s own British Restaurant opened as part of this initiative and was later taken over by Chatham Borough Council. It was first renamed the Chatham Civic Restaurant and, in 1947, became known as The Paddock Restaurant, after its location on Military Road. The restaurant operated as a council-run café for over thirty years, particularly for working class families and those displaced by the war.

The Paddock served meals during “dinner time” (11:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) and “tea time” (4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.), and the premises could also be hired for evening events. In 1956, a full dinner cost 1s 6d, a dessert 6d, and a cup of tea 3d. In response to postwar criticisms of its shabby appearance, the restaurant was redecorated in 1957 with bright pastel colours, modern furniture, and new curtains. The Chatham News remarked that it only lacked a few outdoor tables with umbrellas to give Military Road “a Parisian touch.”

By the 1960s, the area around The Paddock had become a busy transport hub, with many local bus services terminating nearby. A 1961 account described the restaurant as a welcome haven for weary travellers, located just behind a major bus stop serving routes such as the 140 to Burma Way via Luton Arches, Chatham Town Hall, and Star Hill.

While The Paddock was generally welcomed, it was not without controversy. Critics, such as Alan Crisfield, Secretary of the Medway Towns Fish Fryers' Association, argued that a publicly funded restaurant posed unfair competition to local traders. He remarked, “We consider it monstrous that a trader has to help pay for a business which may be his most serious competitor.”

In the 1950s and 1960s, the menu evolved to include more adventurous offerings such as continental dishes and curried foods, though many locals preferred blander meals. Despite these efforts, by the early 1970s, the restaurant’s income was increasingly reliant on evening event hires. A reporter visiting the restaurant at the time described his meal; roast beef, creamed potatoes, peas, and apple pie with custard, as “satisfying but uninspired,” and likened the interior to that of a holiday camp.

Supporters of The Paddock, such as Councillor Betty Grievson, highlighted its value as a social venue for pensioners and its use for dinner dances and community events. However, by 1976, the restaurant was running at a loss, the building was deteriorating, and public tastes had shifted toward more modern and diverse dining options. As structural repairs were deemed too costly, Chatham Council ultimately closed The Paddock Restaurant.

Longtime staff, including cashier Mrs Miriam Caley and clerk Mrs Beryl Bowden, expressed concern for regular customers who relied on the restaurant’s personal service.

Mid-20th century decline

As Chatham grew throughout the 20th century, The Paddock began to show signs of wear and tear. The space, once a well-maintained community area, started to deteriorate with increasing urbanization. By the mid-20th century, the park had lost much of its former charm and vibrancy, becoming a more neglected part of Chatham town centre. Though still used for informal gatherings, it lacked the features and amenities to attract a more diverse range of visitors.

Despite these challenges, The Paddock remained an integral part of Chatham's public landscape, though questions were raised about its relevance in a rapidly modernizing town centre.

21st century revitalization

The Paddock, photographed 25th January 2014.

In the 21st century, The Paddock became a key focus for urban regeneration efforts in Chatham. In 2023, Medway Council initiated a significant £2.8 million revitalization of The Paddock, funded by the government’s Future High Streets Fund. The goal was to transform the space into a modern, accessible, and safe public area, while still preserving its historical character.

The redevelopment project included several features designed to enhance the park's appeal:

• New benches and plant beds to increase comfort and greenery.
• Improved lighting and sloping pathways for better accessibility, especially for those with mobility challenges.
• A small amphitheatre, serving as a venue for community events and performances.
• A 19th-century map of Chatham engraved into the pavement to reflect the town's rich maritime heritage.
• Untreated steel and wood materials were chosen for the redesign, reflecting the town’s naval history.

The redevelopment also introduced safety measures, such as expanded CCTV coverage and improved lighting to ensure a more secure environment.

Issues and controversies

• The planned £400,324 water feature in the park's redesign sparked some controversy. Despite being intended as a central attraction, the fountain received only 47% support during public consultations. Concerns over its high installation and maintenance costs, estimated at £42,426 annually, led to significant opposition. As a result, Medway Council decided to cancel the fountain and instead redirect the funds into other improvements, such as expanding plant areas and redesigning the park's entrances.

Present-day The Paddock

Following its £2.8 million renovation by contractor Blakedown Landscapes, The Paddock officially reopened in August 2024. The new design blends modern features with historical elements, creating a welcoming environment for both residents and visitors. New seating, flower beds, and the central amphitheatre ensure that the space serves as both a recreational area and a venue for community events.

The 19th-century map carved into the pavement is a nod to Chatham’s maritime history, while the park’s modern features ensure accessibility for all, including those with mobility challenges. The redesign aims to provide a safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing space for the community, contributing to the ongoing regeneration of Chatham town centre.

The revitalization of The Paddock has been widely praised for its thoughtful integration of Chatham’s heritage with a focus on creating an inclusive public space. The park now stands as a testament to the town’s ongoing transformation into a more attractive and accessible urban environment.

A guidepost at The Paddock which helps people navigate to the nearest amenity, showing Chatham Railway Station, the Waterfront Bus Station, Great Lines Heritage Park, Fort Amherst, Central Theatre, The Brook Theatre, and Chatham Library (Riverside Gardens).

See also

• Chatham Waterfront
• Chatham Town Hall
• Pentagon Shopping Centre
• The Brook, Chatham