Hempstead, Kent

infobox UK place
country = England
static_

static_image_caption=A view from the west-facing slope of the Hempstead Valley
latitude= 51.3788
longitude= 0.5491
population= 5000
official_name= Hempstead
shire_district= Medway
shire_county = Kent
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= Gillingham
post_town= GILLINGHAM
postcode_district = ME7 3XX
postcode_area= ME
dial_code= 01634
os_grid_reference= TQ775675

Hempstead is a town near Gillingham in Kent, part of the built-up area of the Medway Towns.

Location and Geography

It is located on the southern edge of the borough of Medway adjacent to Wigmore and Lordswood and linked to Gillingham and the M2 by the A278 Trunk Road.

Most of Hempstead is in a valley, with Hempstead valley Drive running along the length of the bottom of it and housing on both sides.

History

Dating back to the mid-1600s when Hempstead (then known as Hemsted) was a little hamlet consisting of the still present Hempstead Road and a few houses dotted along it.

Facilities

It is now a much larger village, officially a town (pop. c.5000) and there is a Co-operative Food store, a library and an Infant and Junior school.There is also a large shopping complex called the Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, one of the first of its kind in Britain, which includes a large Sainsbury's, BHS, and Marks & Spencer, numerous small shops, a hairdresser, a drycleaner, and a key-cutter.

There is also a two doctor's surgeries and recently a new Indian Resturant.

Pubs

There are two pubs: the Hungry Fox and the Flying Saucer. Both are located in the village.

External links

* [http://www.hempsteadschool.org.uk/ Hempstead Infant School]
* [http://www.hempsteadjnr.medway.sch.uk/ Hempstead junior School]
* [http://www.medway.gov.uk/ Medway Council]