Possibly the easiest address to remember #1 The Thames

Everyone knows where Sherlock Holmes lived, Del and Rodney (before and after they got rich) and for the older people Tony Hancock. But did you know where #1 The Thames is?, nope nor me... That was until one grey day in April when looking at one of my cycle routes out to the Isle of Grain (no traffic, reasonable flat and never gets too hot for perfect biking set-up). As usual I had all the essentials when out on the bike, Bottle of water, a much reduced size Mars Bars and a bag of onion rings but more importantly my trusted and battered OS Map.

A quick glance revealed what looked like a path out to sea and some sort of building. My limited knowledge of this area had really been restricted to a Railtour to the old Grain station last year but this latest find just had to be checked out. As a few wrong turns I got to the beautiful blue star beach known as the Grain Flats , this industrial working Kent , none of the delights you may find in Whitstable although just 18 miles apart. Sure enough there was some sort of path out to what looks like a Prison.

Never really been a Captain Pugwash, but the next major consideration was Tide times , I wasn't sure if it was going out or coming in - and not the sort of gamble I really wanted to take as I expect the Coastguard really has far better things to be doing than rescuing would be Captain Jack Sparrows wandering out to sea. As luck would have it the tide was going out and I worked out I probably had 2 hrs to get out there and back.

The first attempt was not good a few yards of causeway soon became mud and very thick at that. I started to sink a bit too quick for my liking and really had only gone about 1/10th of the way out. I turned back to re-plan my route, the map indicated a straight path so I thought there must be a solid base all the way out there. I tried again and instead of moving to areas with less water but muddy I walked straight through shallow water but with less mud, it felt wrong first of all wading through the water but it worked and progressed pretty well until the water cleared and now a visible path

Great progress and still checking the tide was on my side carried on with some lovely views of Sheerness.

20 mins from leaving I 'landed' next to what is known as #1 The Thames.

To give it's correct title Grain Fort is a former artillery fort. It was constructed in the 1860's to defend the confluence of the Rivers Medway and Thames during a period of tension with France. The fort's location enabled its guns to support the nearby Grain Tower and Garrison Port Fort at Sheerness on the other side of the Medway. It was repeatedly altered and its guns upgraded at various points in its history, before being decommissioned in 1956 when the UK abolished its coastal defence programme.

The place is still pretty much in tact and as you can see from the ladder does attract the variety of explorers from the more experienced to the novice. The latter being earlier in the year when four people were stranded overnight until the coastguard recovered them in the morning - cold, wet and a bit embarrassed. With that in mind , it was time to wade back to the mainland.

For a cool guide price of £500,000 the abandoned Grain Tower Battery could be a possible nightclub, sports venue - or a seven-bedroom family home with a difference. You'd never have to cut the lawn...