Featured
Independent Shops
Payless Builders Merchants
Rochester builders merchant on Laker Road: building materials, timber, fencing, landscaping, plumbing, decorating supplies and tools, with delivery across Kent.
Verified Oct 2026
Strood
Strood is on the River Medway in Kent, across the water from Rochester. Browse local businesses, events and things to do in and around Strood, and see what is nearby and what is on, whether you live here, work here or are visiting for the day.
Businesses in Strood
Astute Management
Local digital partner for Kent businesses: websites, AI and automation to help you get found, win customers and save time.
Verified Nov 2026
Removals
Bravo UK Removals
Rainham-based removals firm: house removals, packing, house clearance, commercial moves and storage units across the Medway Towns and beyond.
Verified Oct 2026
Removals
Regal Moving & Storage
Removals and storage company with its head office in Sheerness: house and office moves, packing, self storage and specialist items.
Verified Oct 2026
Taxis
Chauffeur Star
Gravesend chauffeur-driven car hire for weddings, proms, corporate events and special occasions, with classic and executive cars.
Verified Oct 2026
Taxis
Kent Taxi Services
Taxi and private hire booking service in Gravesend covering Kent: airport and seaport transfers, school runs, hospital trips and wheelchair accessible taxis.
Verified Oct 2026
Taxis
Same Day Couriers Kent
Courier booking service in Gravesend: same day, contract, medical, legal and parts deliveries collected across Kent and delivered UK-wide.
Verified Oct 2026
Leisure
Battle Sector X
Family-run laser tag arena on Medway City Estate, Strood, for parties, families, youth groups, schools and corporate groups aged six and over.
Verified Oct 2026
Things to do in Strood
Places to visit
Parks & Walks
Broomhill Park
Green Flag hilltop park in Strood with woodland, wildflower areas, sculptures, a play area and wide views over the Medway. Open every day.
Family Friendly
Parks & Walks
Knights and Kingfishers Walk
A 4.7 mile circular walk from Strood station along the Medway, past Temple Manor and up to the views from Rede Common and Broomhill Park.
Parks & Walks
Rede Common Local Nature Reserve
Strood's "Sandy Banks": a Local Nature Reserve of open grassland, scrub and woodland with views across the Medway towns.
Castles & History, Parks & Walks
Strood Town Centre Trail
A 1.2 mile signed history loop around Strood's High Street, St Nicholas Church and the Esplanade, with river views towards Rochester Castle.
Family Friendly
Guides
GuideBeaches & Coast, Parks & Walks
Riverside walks on the Thames and the Medway
Riverside walks and waterfront parks on the Thames from Dartford to Cliffe and on the Medway from Rochester to Rainham.
GuideFood & Drink
Eating and drinking in the Medway towns
Pubs, cafes, restaurants and local food producers in Rochester, Chatham, Strood, Gillingham and Rainham: what each serves, where, and when it opens.
GuideCastles & History, Parks & Walks
Walks and green spaces in Strood
Strood's walks and green spaces: Broomhill Park, Rede Common, the Town Centre Trail and the Knights and Kingfishers Walk from the station.
Food & drink in Strood
Farm Shops & Producers
Austen’s of Rochester
Rochester High Street shop selling produce from Kent farms, with a veg box delivery service across the Medway Towns.
Verified Nov 2026
PubsRestaurants
Bas 13AR
Strood sports bar and Indian restaurant on Cliffe Road, with Punjabi dishes, live sport, collection, delivery and event catering.
Verified Oct 2026
Event VenuesPubsRestaurants
The Boat House
Riverside pub and restaurant on Canal Road, Strood, facing Rochester Castle, with a Sunday carvery, events and wedding hire.
Verified Oct 2026
Restaurants
Turkuaz Rochester
Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant at Medway Valley Leisure Park, Strood, serving mezes and charcoal-grilled kebabs, with online ordering.
Verified Oct 2026
Town guide
About Strood
Strood is on the River Medway, across the water from Rochester. It is an area within Medway rather than a separate local authority, so Medway Council provides local services. The council lists Strood as one of five Medway town centres, alongside Chatham, Gillingham, Rainham and Rochester.
The river crossing is a big part of Strood’s story. The Rochester Bridge Trust says it was founded in 1399 by Sir John de Cobham and Sir Robert Knolles to look after the Medway crossings at Rochester, and that it still keeps them free for everyone to use. The Trust owns the Old Bridge, the New Bridge and the Service Bridge, while the railway bridge belongs to Network Rail.
Strood also has a medieval site. English Heritage says Henry II gave the manor of Strood to the Knights Templar in 1159, and Kent’s Historic Environment Record lists the surviving Temple Manor as a scheduled monument. English Heritage lists it as open by appointment only and closed from November to March, so check its website before you go.
If you are tracing local or family history, Medway Archives Centre is at 32 Bryant Road in Strood. Medway Council says you need an appointment to see original archive material, while published material and photographs can be seen on a drop-in basis if there is space in the search room.
Getting there and around
Strood station is served by Southeastern and Thameslink. Check Southeastern’s journey planner for current routes, times and fares.
Medway Council lists Commercial Road and Grove Road among its Strood car parks. Its directory shows both are charged from 7am to 1am, and take cash, contactless or RingGo. Check the council’s parking pages for tariffs, closures and how to pay before you travel.
Use this page to browse local businesses in Strood, check what is on and find things to do nearby. Every listing is researched and checked by us before it goes live. You can switch to a neighbouring town from the Explore Kent menu.
Map of Strood
Nearby places
Questions about Strood
Which council covers Strood?
Strood is part of Medway, which is a unitary authority, so Medway Council provides local services such as car parks and archives. Strood is an area within Medway rather than a separate local authority. Medway had about 279,800 residents at the 2021 census, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Is Strood part of Rochester?
Not as a town centre, though Strood postal addresses use Rochester. Strood sits across the River Medway from Rochester, and the two are linked by the bridges that the Rochester Bridge Trust looks after. Both are within Medway, and Medway Council lists them as separate town centres in its regeneration programme, alongside Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham.
What is Temple Manor in Strood?
Temple Manor is a medieval hall in Strood. English Heritage says Henry II gave the manor of Strood to the Knights Templar in 1159, and Kent's Historic Environment Record lists the site as a scheduled monument. English Heritage lists it as open by appointment only and closed from November to March, so check its Temple Manor page before you travel.
Where can I park in Strood?
Medway Council lists Strood car parks including Commercial Road and Grove Road, both charged from 7am to 1am and taking cash, contactless or RingGo according to the council's directory. Tariffs and payment options can change, so check the council's parking pages for current charges and any closures.
Who looks after the bridges between Strood and Rochester?
The Rochester Bridge Trust, founded in 1399, owns the Old Bridge, New Bridge and Service Bridge and says crossing them is free. The railway bridge belongs to Network Rail. The Trust's website explains its history and what it maintains today.