Van Hire Gillingham

Gillingham bridges its maritime heritage with contemporary development, serving as a well-connected Medway hub. This bustling Kent town combines its historic dockyard roots with modern transportation infrastructure, offering comprehensive amenities while maintaining strong links to neighbouring communities.

Getting Around Gillingham

The M2 motorway serves as Gillingham’s primary transport artery, offering direct access to Dartford and beyond. The A278 Hoath Way provides smooth connectivity to central Gillingham and neighbouring Chatham.

The A2 High Street/London Road runs through the town centre, connecting travellers to Maidstone and Sittingbourne. For a calmer journey, the B2004 Lower Rainham Road provides a scenic route through residential areas and links to historic Rochester.

Local access is well-served by the A231 Wood Street and Ash Tree Lane, which connect residential areas and local facilities, making them ideal for both short trips and van hire users.

Van Parking Options

Near Gillingham Train Station, several parking options are available on Railway Street: the Train Station Parking lot, APCOA Car Park (24/7), Railside Car Park (24/7) and Croneen’s, known for its helpful staff. The town centre offers Jeffery Street Car Park Short Stay, Britton Farm Car Park and Littlewoods Car Park Short Stay on James Street, all within walking distance of High Street amenities.

Around Victory Pier on Blake Avenue, options include YourParkingSpace Premier Inn Gillingham Victory Pier Car Park and Parking for Domino’s Pizza. The NCP Gillingham Trafalgar Street Car Park provides cost-effective parking, while Balmoral Gardens Car Park on Randolph Road offers abundant daytime spaces. Medway Park: Pay & Display Car Park on Mill Road operates weekdays 6:30 AM-9 PM and weekends 8 AM-4 PM, serving event attendees. Rumpus Car Park on Gillingham Gate Road provides a central location for quick stops with a straightforward layout.

Petrol Stations And Vehicle Services

Shell operates two stations: Nelson Road (daily 6:30 AM-10 PM) and Maidstone Road (weekdays 6:30 AM-10:30 PM, Sundays 8:30 AM-10 PM). ASDA on Pier Road offers 24/7 card-only service and is convenient for travellers to Dartford. Other 24/7 options include Esso on Watling Street (with car wash), bp near M2 Junctions 4-5 and Tesco on Courteney Road. Sainsbury’s in Hempstead operates daily 6 AM-10 PM, while Beechings Way Fuel Station provides basic services without cash-back.

For repairs, Napier Service Centre (MON-FRI 9 AM-5:30 PM, shorter Saturday hours) leads with top ratings. M&A Motor Centre, Tonyauto78 Ltd, Green Street Garage and S1 Performance LTD offer reliable maintenance services. BLACK LION MOT on Gardiner Street serves inspection needs and connects with drivers heading to Strood. Kwik Fit Plus on Watling Street and SGT Bills Tyres provide tyre services. Ashford Auto’s on Franklin Road excels in MOTs and repairs, while Jeff’s Garage on Capstone Road offers 24/7 service. AK Motors and Railway Street Garage provide cost-effective solutions.

For car washing, Legend Car Wash near Dockside Shopping Centre operates daily 8:30 AM-5:30 PM, while Gillingham Car Wash on Duncan Road serves those travelling to Sittingbourne. The Railway Hand Car Wash and Wash N Drive on Watling Street complete the washing options.

Hardware Stores, Garden Centres And Storage Facilities

B&Q on Will Adams Way (7 AM-8 PM weekdays, shorter Sunday hours) leads Gillingham’s hardware options, alongside Medway Home Improvements on Maidstone Road, specialising in garage door fittings. The Range at Dockside Outlet Centre operates until 8 PM on workdays. Chandler Forest Products on Jeffery Street, popular with customers from Gravesend, offers quality timber and excellent delivery service, while Lakeside Timber & Builders Merchants and Akehurst A F & Sons Ltd provide additional building supplies.

Harvey’s Plumbing & Electrical on Gillingham Road, Screwfix Gillingham Kent and Toolstation on Matilda Close serve professional and DIY needs. Onkaar Houseware on Twydall Green and MedMarket on Canterbury Street offer affordable hardware essentials.

Garden enthusiasts can visit Elm Court Garden Centre on Capstone Road, featuring seasonal displays and a reptile area, attracting visitors from Maidstone. Dobbies Garden Centre on Courteney Road includes a Waitrose section, while Westmoor Nursery in Rainham provides a traditional nursery experience.

For storage, Shurgard Self Storage on Courteney Road operates until 6 PM weekdays with shorter weekend hours. Cinch Self Storage at Invicta Business Centre on Bredgar Road serves locals and travellers to Sheerness with competitive pricing.

Drive Thru And Restaurants

The town boasts multiple McDonald’s locations, catering to those seeking a quick meal on the go. The branch on High Street in Chatham operates from 5AM to 2AM daily and is known for its polite staff, despite mixed reviews about its clientele. For those travelling near the Beechings Way Industrial Centre, the McDonald’s on Godden Way runs 24/7, offering reliable service at all hours. Meanwhile, the Courteney Road location in Rainham ensures nearly round-the-clock availability, opening daily at 5AM and closing at 4:59AM the next day, making it perfect for night owls or early risers.

Fried chicken fans have two great options in Gillingham. The KFC on Canterbury Street is a popular stop for its efficient service and consistent quality, open every day from 11AM to 11PM. On Courteney Road in Rainham, another KFC branch offers a similar menu with slightly shorter hours, closing at 10PM daily. This location is also conveniently connected to nearby Erith, making it an ideal stop for travellers heading in that direction.

For a flame-grilled alternative, the Burger King at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre serves up its signature meals daily from 8AM to 10PM. Its central location within the shopping centre makes it a practical choice for shoppers needing a quick bite.