Estuary festival

Estuary 2021
  • Date: 22nd May 2021
  • Location: Across Medway
  • Cost: Free

Estuary 2021 is the second edition of the large-scale arts festival that celebrates the lives, landscapes and histories of the spectacular Thames Estuary.

The festival takes place on the river itself, and along the 107 miles of south Essex and north Kent coastline. Contemporary artworks, discussion and events explore and respond to powerful themes resonant to the estuary.

Artworks are set in the landscape, online and within COVID-safe venues.

They explore the estuary through the lens of contemporary concerns, including:

  • climate justice
  • protest and rebellion
  • imperial legacy
  • the rich, often overlooked stories of its diverse communities

They aim to bring new audiences to a deeper understanding of the estuary.

Estuary 2021 is led by a partnership between estuary-based arts organisations, Metal (south Essex) and Cement Fields (north Kent).

The festival runs from Saturday 22 May to Sunday 13 June 2021. 

Festival events

Festival guides

2 routes of the festival run through Medway:

Route 5

  • Gravesend
  • Hoo Peninsula
  • Rochester
  • Chatham

Download the route 5 guide. You can also download an accessible version of the route 5 guide.

Route 6

  • Gillingham
  • Isle of Sheppey
  • Oare
  • Faversham
  • Seasalter
  • Herne Bay
  • Margate
  • Broadstairs
  • Ramsgate

Download the route 6 guide. You can also download an accessible version of the route 6 guide.

Find out more about the Estuary festival.