Ship and Trades Hotel Maidstone

Naval heritage meets contemporary style at the Ship and Trades, in the heart of Chatham stylish marina. Dating from 1875, the Ship and Trades’ basic structure is a steel frame that once housed dockyard offices and an engineering shop. The 'skeleton' has been totally transformed into an ultra-modern bar, restaurant and hotel, overlooking one of the yacht basins at the former Royal Naval Dockyard. The inside has been transformed into a stylish, contemporary space, with feature fireplaces, a comfortable lounge area and two “snugs” for more intimate gatherings. Images of boats, maps and ropework celebrate the area’s nautical heritage. Comfortable furnishings and soft lighting create a relaxed, laid-back ambience, in which guests can enjoy bar meals, snacks and Shepherd Neame’s selection of traditional Kentish ales, distinctive international lagers and carefully-selected new world wines. The contemporary style also extends to the 11 bedrooms. Outside, there is ample waterfront seating overlooking the pleasure boats in the marina and across the River Medway to Upnor Castle. The pub is a short stroll from Dickens World, The Historic Dockyard Chatham and Dockside Outlet Shopping Centre and just a mile from Rochester, with its Norman castle and cathedral.