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Sittingbourne Train Station

The earliest recording of civilization in Sittingbourne was from 2000 BC possibly earlier. The Romans invaded Kent in 43 AD and to make it easier to access London from Dover they built the Walting Street which went through Sittingbourne. Sittingbourne in the first world war was used as a marker for German bombers on the way to London.    

Sittingbourne train station was built by the South Eastern & Chatham Railway in 1858 and owned by the southern railway from 1923 to 1948, during this time the station was called Sittingbourne and Milton Regis, it was then owned by British Rail from 1948 to 1992 and now is currently owned by Southeastern. It connects the Sheerness Branch to the Chatham Main Line which goes to London Victoria (northbound) and Ramsgate or Dover Priory (southbound) preformed by British Rail Class 375 Electrostars. It also provides services to St Pancras International on the High Speed Service that runs from Faversham preformed by British Rail Class 395 Javelins . There is also a half hourly service to Sheerness on Sea preformed by British Rail Class 466 Networkers.

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Sittingbourne Station also provides hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks as well as newspapers and magazines in it's Pumpkin Cafe located on platform 1. In the early 2010's lifts were fitted in a new footbridge on the south side of the station for easier access for disabled people. there are also men and women's toilets on platform 1.

Currently the area around the front of Sittingbourne Station is being rebuilt to make room for a Multi-story car park and just recently the drop-off area and taxi and bus stops have been remade and the sidewalk around the station repaved.

One of Sittingbourne's main attractions The Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway (SKLR) is about a 5-10 minute walk from the station. Website address to the SKLR is here: http://www.sklr.net/.

The Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway (SKLR) was first used in 1867 when the Sittingbourne Mill was built to make and transport paper. the paper was hauled by horse and cart. The first steam engines that arrived on the railway in 1905 were two Kerr Stuart steam locomotives Premier (currently under overhaul) and Leader (in service).

The Viaduct just outside Sittingbourne Viaduct Station was built for the Ridham Dock & Tramway in 1916 and was made out of reinforced concrete instead of the intention of using steel and it is still in use today.

Between 1927 and 1936 the railway was sold twice first to the Berry Family and then to the Bowater family. From 1936 to 1969 the Bowater family owned the mil and the railway. The railway became the Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway in 1969.

Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway

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In 2007 the railway had to stop operating because the Sittingbourne mill's paper production creased. in 2010 the landowners at the time M-real sold Sittingbourne mill which meant the railway to operate between Kemsley down station and Milton regis halt. in 2011 regular services recommenced but only between Milton regis halt and Kemsley Down station. in 2012 Sittingbourne station reopened after vandalism and demolition work.

Kent Science Park

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Kent Science Park is a big centre located in Sittingbourne, the building is set in 65 acres of beautifully manicured grounds. The building is one of the largest in the South East, boasting high specifications laboratories and business accommodation in 47 buildings.

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Throughout the building there are a wide range of accommodation available that will suit start up or micro businesses.

Central Park Stadium is a greyhound racing track, speedway track and former football stadium which is located in Murston, Sittingbourne. The greyhound racing takes place every Friday evening.

The stadium was originally built in 1990 but didn't open until 1995.  It was built with a capacity of 6,000 with 2,000 seats available in the main stand, two end terraces and a large covered terrace opposite the main stand. Within the stadium there are four private suites, a trackside restaurant, three high-end bars and a fast food cafeteria.

Sittingbourne Dog Track

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Cearns then introduced the Kent Derby as the tracks principal event and managed to secure a second Trainers Championship in 2000. Cheryl Miller & Maxine Locke joined the training ranks soon after and Jess Packer was brought in as Racing Manager. Cheryl Miller reached the 2002 English Greyhound Derby final with Windgap Java, a first for Sittingbourne; the fawn dog had won the Pall Mall Stakes earlier in the year.

Sittingbourne Cinema

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The Cinema which is located at the bottom of Sittingbourne town centre was originally opened as "The Odeon" on the 4th January 1937. 

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On 7th January 1997 the cinema were taken over by the Picturedrome Theatres Limited. In 2000, they were taken over by Reeltime Cinemas and re-named New Century Cinema. However, the cinema closed on the 26th February 2009 as a plan was put in place to build a nightclub, but the council refused the plans to build a cinema and the cinema remained closed.

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In December 2014 the cinema was re-opened with new state of the art 2k digital projectors, bigger screens and 5.1 Dolby audio.

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During the re-opening of the cinema it has also had a refurbishment which included new chairs, screens and high spec projectors.

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