Tilbury
Tilbury is a town and seaport in Essex, 2 miles from Grays.
Now a thriving container port, it was for many years known as the port from which liners departed for India and the Orient. It was taken over by the Port of London Authority in 1909.
The "Empire Windrush" docked at Tilbury in 1948, bringing 500 West Indian immigrants.
There is a ferry across the River Thames to Gravesend.
Tilbury was one of the places where St. Cedd founded churches in the 7th century. His church at Bradwell-juxta-Mare still stands.
Tilbury Fort is widely regarded as England`s finest example of 17th century military architecture. At an earlier building on the site, built by Henry VIII in 1539, Elizabeth I gave her famous speech to troops before the attack by the Spanish Armada in 1588 (I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman ....").
Gervase of Tilbury, writing in the 13th century, is an important source of mediaeval folklore.
Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby is available to lead Guided Walks around Tilbury for groups.