Chatham ("chat-um") is one of the Medway towns located within the Medway unitary authority, in North Kent, in South East England.
Although the dockyard has long been closed and is now being redeveloped into a business and residential community, major naval buildings remain as the focus for a flourishing tourist industry. Chatham also has military connections; several Army barracks were located here, together with 19th-century forts which provided a defensive shield for the dockyard. Brompton Barracks, located in the town, remains the headquarters of the Corps of Royal Engineers.
The town has important road links and the Chatham railway station and bus stations are the main interchanges for the area. It is the administrative headquarters of Medway unitary authority, as well as its principal shopping centre.
