Rochester Castle
Rochester Castle

Information

County - Kent | Map
Tel code: 01634 | code search
Postcode: ME1/ME2 | code search
Population: 25000
Rochester Jobs
Visitor reports
Famous Rochester Dates
Rochester History
Birthplace of:
John Littlewood
Kelly Brook

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Cultural Britain:
Dickens and Kent
Hauntings and Ghosts:
Rochester’s Ralph Rues Rebound
Folk Customs:
Admiralty of the Medway
Biddenden Dole
Blessing the Sea and Diving for the Cross
Canterburys Hop Hoodening
Rochester Sweeps' Festival
St Bartholomew's Day Bun Race
The Offham Quintain

Rochester Events

May
Dickens Festival
Rochester Sweeps

July
Grain Village Carnival

October
Rochester Food & Drink Festival

December
Christmas Market at Rochester Castle
Dickensian Christmas Festival
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Latest reviews

Holiday Inn Rochester - Chatham
"Good Points: Facilities were excellent , breakfast plantiful and delicious Bad Points: loo very hard to flush, got double charged via debit card by mistake

Date visited: 2008-09-10 ..." More

Holiday Inn Rochester - Chatham
"Good Points: Staff really tried to help me out with some information about the region.

Date visited: 2008-06-19 ..." More

Travel Tip

"The High Street is full of Victorian charm, but if you're feeling peckish during the day, the Dickens-themed tea-rooms and restaurants may be crowded. Blink and you could miss the ..." More

Rochester Reviews (3)

Best rates for a Local Hotel

Latest reviews | Events in Rochester | 10 Places to Stay

The City of Rochester has grown from a little Saxon village to a historic city representing one of England finest cities. Romans came over in 43AD and made Rochester one of their most important towns by building a stronghold and a bridge over the River Medway.
It wasn't until 1088 after the Norman invasion that Rochester had its first stone castle built on the remains of the old Roman Fort. The then King, Rufus asked his Bishop Gundulf, an architect, to build him a stone castle and later a magnificent Cathedral, which is the second oldest in the country. Bishop Gundolf also built a leper hospital namely St. Bartholomew's which was the oldest hospital in the country, albeit the original hospital has since disappeared.
One of Rochester most famous connections is that with Charles Dickens. His family moved to Chatham when his was five years of age. After moving away from Chatham he later returned to Gad's Hill place in Higham. By then many of his novels were published and read around the world. However, he died whilst writing his novel "The Mystery of Edwin Drood". Many of Dickens novels included references to Rochester and the surrounding area where today two festivals are held in his honour, the Dickens and Dickensian Christmas Festival.
Many other festivals are held in Rochester: from May, with the 'Sweeps Festival' , July with the Summer Concerts held in the castle grounds, through to the 'Dickensian Christmas' and the lamp light procession through the streets of Rochester. Not only are there celebrations and festivals going on throughout the year, there is also Rochester's quaint Victorian High Street containing many of the original shops of the time.
The City of Rochester in the county of Kent is situated some 20 miles south east of the capital of England, London. The City of Rochester is also within easy reach of mainland Europe and is only one and half hours from France by train.

Attraction

Charles Dickens Centre
Dickens Gad's Hill Place
Guildhall Museum
Restoration House
Rochester Castle
Rochester Cathedral
RSPB Northwood Hill Reserve
Six Poor Travellers House
Temple Manor
Upnor Castle

Care Home

Friston House
Rochester House
Winchester House

Council

Medway Council

Farmers Market

Rochester Farmers Market

Golf Club

Rochester & Cobham Park Golf Club

Health and Fitness Club

Esporta Health and Fitness
Rochester Health and Fitness Centre
Yogaworks

Market

Rochester Country Market

Rochester Farmers Market
Seaham Car Boot

Pub and Bar

Bell
Britannia Inn
City Wall
George
Good Intent
Holiday Inn Rochester - Chatham
Horseshoe
Jolly Knight
Kings Head
Man Of Kent Alehouse
North Foreland
Rising Sun
Sans Pareil
Two Brewers
Watermans Arms

School

Gad's Hill School
King's Preparatory School
King's School Rochester

Taxi

Ace Taxis
Frindsbury Taxis
HWS Taxis of Rochester

Vet

Christmas Lane Veterinary Surgery

Sports Clubs

Holborough Anchorians CC (Cricket)
Holcombe (Men's Hockey)
Holcombe (Women's Hockey)
Medway Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing Club (Boxing)
Medway RFC (Rugby Union)
Medway Yacht (Sailing)
Old Williamsonians RFC (Rugby Union)
Wilsonian Sailing Club (Sailing)

Shops

World of Difference
Fletcher Ian
Francis Iles Galleries
The Fine Art Gallery
Mollycoddles of Rochester
Rochester Cameras
Hot Crocs
Rochester Fireplaces

top
Nimbus Gifts
Nimbus Lighting

Antiques

Fieldstaff Antiques
City Antiques Ltd
Amhuerst Auctions Ltd
Fieldstaff Antiques

Places to Stay near Rochester

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Lightship16 Apartments (1.39 miles)

Lightship16 Apartments
A two bedroom apartment available on one of England’s oldest wooden ship, built just after the battle of Trafalgar from massive teak timbers, it’s quite an experience. Restored in 2011 to a high standard with ... More | visit website
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King Charles Hotel (1.50 miles)

King Charles Hotel
The King Charles Hotel is situated in the heart of Medway, and an ideal base for exploring Kent, Surrey, Sussex and London. We are just a short drive away from many famous attractions, including ... More | visit website
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The Ship & Trades (1.86 miles)

The Ship & Trades

One of the jewels in Shepherd Neame's crown, The Ship & Trades is a spacious and stylish pub with accommodation overlooking a yacht basin.

The upstairs level has marvellous views across the Medway towards Upnor Castle ... More | visit website

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Holiday Inn Rochester - Chatham (2.92 miles)

Holiday Inn Rochester - Chatham

A warm welcome awaits you at the Holiday Inn Rochester - Chatham hotel situated within easy reach of the Medway towns of Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham. Plentiful on-site parking is available for all our guests. Our ... More | visit website

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Premier Inn Gillingham (3.19 miles)

Premier Inn Gillingham
Ideally situated for both business and leisure guests. For business this hotel is near to Gillingham Business Park. Ideally located within easy reach of the M2. Local attractions include Bluewater shopping centre, Gillingham Ice Bowl, ... More | visit website
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Bridgewood Manor (3.29 miles)

Bridgewood Manor

Bridgewood Manor Hotel is conveniently situated for excellent shopping at Bluewater and sightseeing at the historical city of Rochester, the fascinating Chatham Historic dockyards and the new Dickens World attraction. This hotel offers fine dining ... More | visit website

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Travelodge Medway M2 (3.86 miles)

Travelodge Medway M2

There are loads of reasons our customers choose to stay at Travelodge. Our great value clean and comfortable rooms with en-suite provide everything needed for a good night's sleep and are close to where people ... More | visit website

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Premier Inn Gillingham A2 (4.07 miles)

Premier Inn Gillingham A2
Situated in Rainham, just 10 minutes’ drive from Gillingham centre, Premier Inn Gillingham offers spacious bedrooms, free parking and a traditional restaurant. Chatham is a 10-minute drive away. With flat-screen TVs and modern decor, the large ... More | visit website
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Inn on the Lake (4.26 miles)

Inn on the Lake
The Inn on the Lake is a family run hotel set in twelve acres of woodlands and overlooking two fine lakes. It is within one hour's drive of the Channel and just ten minutes ... More | visit website
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Premier Inn Gravesend (A2/Singlewell) (5.67 miles)

Premier Inn Gravesend (A2/Singlewell)
Located within easy reach of the A2 and M25. Close to Ebbsfleet International station linking to Paris, Lille and Brussels. Local attractions include Woodlands Park and Bluewater shopping centre. For shops and local amenities Gravesend ... More | visit website

Brit Quote:
Instead of this absurd division into sexes they ought to class people as static and dynamic. - Evelyn Waugh
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On this day:
Tolpuddle Martyrs Sentenced - 1834, Argentine Forces land on South Georgia - 1982
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