Published: Thursday, 20th March 2025
Spring is the perfect time to get back on the journey to a healthier lifestyle to boost your mind and body while enjoying some brighter and warmer weather.
Check out our ideas to help you get out and feel fit and well this spring. From walking and cycling to volunteering days and education courses, there's something for everyone!
Walking and cycling
Breathe in the spring air and explore what’s on your doorstep, from our enticing country parks and green spaces, to our scenic river walks.
Health walks
Medway Health Walks and the new Ramblers Wellbeing Walks in Medway believe that walking is the key to a happier and healthier lifestyle.
We have a number of led walks from 10 minutes up to 90 minutes which are designed to help adults become more active. You only need a pair of shoes and a fitness level appropriate to the walk you're joining.
Active Medway Cycling Project
The organised adult cycling group offers community-led rides with pre-agreed and mapped routes in a supportive group environment. The rides are up to 10 miles long and run on weekdays.
Learn more about our Active Medway Cycling Project.
England Coastal Path
Making the most of Medway’s coastline just got a whole lot easier, thanks to the development of the England Coastal Path.
To give it its full title, the King Charles III England Coast Path will offer a continuous walking route around the coast of England - and once fully open will become the longest managed coastal path in the world.
Medway’s section of the path offers a great chance to get out and explore the amazing scenery of the Medway Estuary and the Isle of Grain.
Find out more about the England Coastal Path.
Outdoor leisure activities
Markets
Browse and even treat yourself to the local fresh produce sold at markets in Gillingham and Rochester.
Find the next date of a local market near you.
Heritage days out
Take the spiral stairs of Rochester Castle to the breathtaking river views at the top, indulge in history along Rochester High Street at Eastgate House and The Guildhall Museum or visit Upnor Castle at the water’s edge.
Look after your mental health
5 ways to wellbeing
The 5 ways to wellbeing include:
- connect - build your social relationships and spend time with friends or family
- be active - engage in regular physical activity
- take notice - be mentally ‘present’, and focus on awareness and appreciation
- keep learning - maintain a sense of curiosity and try new things
- give - make a positive contribution to the lives of others.
Learn more about how to use the 5 ways to wellbeing in your daily routine.
Sport and leisure
Tennis courts
Newly refurbished courts at The Strand and Maidstone Road in Chatham are now great places to master your topspin lobs and backhand slices.
More than £175,000 of investment from UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation have helped transform 8 courts in total. The courts will be open shortly.
Fitness classes
We have more than 150 classes every week across our 4 sports centres, from group cycle and pilates to zumba and boxercise.
Find out more about our fitness classes.
Pitch and putt
Feeling a bit under-par after a long winter? A pitch and putt course is available at Snodhurst Bottom. It’s a great way to get some steps in while working on your swing.
Find out more about pitch and putt.
Medway Park’s athletics track
Our elite-standard 10-lane 400m athletics track is available throughout the week, with costs for non-members starting from just £4.
Find out more about Medway Park's athletics track.
5 and 7-a-side football
Kick-start your spring on our all weather 3G football pitches at Strood Sports Centre and Watling Park in Gillingham (Anchorians).
There’s something on offer for all levels, with full sized pitches, mini 7 and 5-a-side pitches, walking football and the Medway Sport Football Academy for children aged between 2 and 17 years old.
Learn more about football in Medway.
Park Run
The free weekly timed 5k run for all ages and abilities takes place at 9am every Saturday at the Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham.
There’s plenty of running clubs and free activities for everyone to enjoy.
Find out more about running in Medway.
Indoor activities
Medway Adult Education courses
Medway Adult Education has more than 600 workshops and courses to choose from, from learning to cook to basic plumbing, a language, painting, or carpentry - learning something new can provide you with a new focus.
Find a Medway Adult Education course.
Libraries
If the weather’s looking like spring showers, head inside and take part in a free event at one of our libraries and community hubs.
Find an event at your local library.
Volunteering
Meet new people and help make a difference to your community, all whilst soaking up some vitamin D (weather permitting!).
There are lots of activities to help with, from tree planting to litter picking.
Find out more about volunteering opportunities in Medway.
Home improvements
If you’re thinking of a spring-clean why not take it to a new level with a range of improvement services that can help you get the most from your home this season.
Planning applications
If you’re embarking on a property improvement project, our Planning Service offers an online checker tool, which has made it simpler than ever to find out if you need planning permission.
Open Digital Planning is a visionary project designed to transform local government planning services, allowing you to check anything you need to know, such as planning restrictions surrounding listed buildings or conservation areas.
There’s no need to create an account either, making the process even simpler to bring your home plans to life.
Find out more about the planning tool.
Insulating your home
Insulating homes properly is one of the most important things you can do to cut down on fuel emissions and keep energy costs down. If you’re looking for ways to keep your home warm, reduce your energy bills, and improve your home’s value - you may be eligible for free or discounted insulation options through the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS).
Delivered in partnership with E.ON, this scheme offers eligible residents help with a variety of insulation options including free cavity wall insulation. You may qualify for GBIS if you are a homeowner with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D to G, or if you rent your home and have an EPC of D or E and meet one of the following criteria:
- your Council Tax band is A to D,
- you receive certain qualifying benefits.
Find out more about insulating your home.
Additional garden waste subscription
From spring 2025 households that regularly need more than one brown wheelie bin will be able to opt in for a new, additional garden waste subscription service.
Keep an eye on our social media and website for more information.
Find out more about our garden waste subscription service.
Planting
Our Environmental Services Team provides monthly top tips and advice for getting the most from your garden.
Seasonal tips are available throughout the year - so you can tap into expert knowledge to help your garden flourish.
For example, you could use the following plants this spring and summer to help cover walls and fences:
- honeysuckle for sweetly scented flowers
- pyracantha for flowers and berries
- chaenomeles (Japanese Quince) for early spring flowers
- jasminum officinale for scented summer flowers
- clematis for summer-long large bright blooms
- climbing roses for sweet summer scents.