Things to Do
“There was Rochester Castle, to begin with.
I surveyed that massive ruin from the Bridge,
and thought what a brief little practical joke
I seemed to be, in comparison with its
solidity, stature, strength, and length of life.
”
Paved by the Romans. Saved by King John. Beloved by Charles Dickens: Rochester is a hidden gem, steeped in history; surrounded by winding rivers, vast vineyards and the North Downs; filled with cobbled streets and quirky, misshapen shops and famed for its eclectic mix of traditional festivals.
Just 37 minutes by train from St Pancras and 45 minutes from Victoria - and 20 minutes by car from the M25 – it is little wonder houses here are being snapped up faster than anywhere else in the country as more and more people find out about Kent’s little secret.
We love it here! Why not visit for the weekend and see what the fuss is all about? Relax in our stunning bedrooms, enjoy our amazing food and explore Rochester and the surrounding areas at your leisure.
Highlights include:
Rochester Castle
As you approach Rochester Bridge by road, or Rochester by train, the imposing stone structure of Rochester Castle is truly a sight to behold. Built next to London Road and guarding the River Medway crossing, it has led a rich and varied life. Its Norman keep – one of the oldest and best preserved in England – was built around 1127 by William of Corbeil, Archbishop of Canterbury, under instruction of Henry I. Consisting of three floors above a basement, it still stands 113 feet high.
Captured by rebels in 1215, the castle was the centre stage of an epic siege by King John, who used the fat of 40 pigs to start a fire under the keep to try to smoke them out. They were eventually starved out after resisting for two months.
Rebuilt under Henry III and Edward I, the castle remained a fortress until the sixteenth century. Now, visitors can stroll around the gardens, explore the keep and climb to the very top for some spectacular views of the River Medway and surrounding towns.
Distance from The Vines Wedding Venue: 300 metres
Rochester Cathedral
England's second oldest cathedral was founded in AD604, with the present building dating back to French monk, Gundulf, in 1080. Gundulf, who became Bishop of Rochester in 1077, also played his part in the construction of the White Tower – now part of the Tower of London. Today, Rochester Cathedral’s spire can be seen from miles around, while visitors can take in the stunning Norman architecture of the nave, and explore the mediaeval crypt. The Cathedral Library also houses a collection of rare books and manuscripts.
Distance from The Vines Wedding Venue: 200 metres
Textus Roffensis
Housed in Rochester Cathedral’s stunning crypt, the Textus Roffensis deserves a section here of its own. The only existing copy of the first code of English Law and written in 1120s, it has been described as one of the most important documents in English history and influenced the wording of the Magna Carta of 1215.
A precious book to the monks at Rochester and used as a legal encyclopaedia, it was later bound together with important records of St Andrew’s Priory.
Rochester High Street
Eat crepes just metres from Rochester Cathedral while sitting under the gaze of the imposing Rochester Castle, or just enjoy a stroll along the bunting-lined streets, filled with quirky shops and buildings.
Rochester High Street is a perfect mix of old and new, with quaint tea rooms, vintage stores and traditional sweet shops, sitting alongside more modern board games stores and cheese rooms.
Lose yourself for a few hours in the Guildhall or Huguenot Museums, an art gallery, or whatever takes your fancy.
Distance from The Vines Wedding Venue: 250 metres
Follow in the footsteps of Dickens
From The Pickwick Papers to A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist, the books and tales of Charles Dickens have captivated and entertained generations.
Dickens lived a stone’s throw away in Chatham as a young child and moved back to Gad’s Hill Place in Higham, nearby, later on in life. He featured Rochester in general and The Vines – the beautiful tree-lined park found in front of The Vines of Rochester - in many of his books. Restoration House – which takes its name from the stay of King Charles II on the eve of the Restoration – is located at the opposite end of The Vines. In Great Expectations, he famously renamed Restoration House, Satis House, the home of Miss Havisham. In 1870, Dickens was seen in The Vines looking at Restoration House just days before he died. He was writing his unfinished novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Other attractions to visit associated with the author, include Eastgate House, where the author’s Swiss Chalet can be found and the Six Poor Travellers House.
A permanent exhibition on the author will be opened in the Guildhall Museum later in the year, Covid permitting. Guided Tours, with The City of Rochester Society take place during April and October on selected days. A self-guided walking trail with map ‘In Dickens’ Footsteps’ is available from Medway Visitor Information Centre, on The High Street, for £1.
Festivals and concerts
Dickens Festival
Witness the works of Charles Dickens come alive every June with the Dickens Festival - a hit with visitors from all over the globe.
With Dickens born nearby and moving back close by in later life – and including many of Rochester’s famous buildings and quirks in his novels – Rochester has adopted the famous author as their own.
Enjoy the parades and fun as the likes of Scrooge, Oliver Twist and Miss Havisham take over the High Street and Castle Gardens.
Sweeps Festival
The Sweeps Festival is a stunning, quintessential English festival held on May Day Bank Holiday – traditionally the one time of year chimney sweeps were allowed time off to have some fun.
With traditional music, Morris Dancers, stalls and of course, hundreds of people in chimney sweep costumes to remember the gruelling work the men and boys undertook, it’s a celebration like no other.
Rochester Dickensian Christmas Festival
Set around the Dickens novel A Christmas Carol – although many Dickens characters make an appearance - the High Street and Castle areas come alive with costumed characters, parades, carols, stalls and fun.
Rochester Christmas Market
Usually taking place at the end of November and the first few weekends of December, The Christmas Market is a magical spectacle and has visitors flocking from miles away.
The Castle Gardens become a Winter Wonderland, with German-style wooden chalets full of Christmas gifts, food and drink, while funfair rides, music and much keeps everyone entertained for hours.
Rochester Castle Concerts
Every summer, The Castle Gardens become the setting of Rochester’s very own music festivals, with a huge array of stars from the worlds of dance, rock, pop and classical music getting top billing over the years.
This year, The Libertines, UB40 and Soul II Soul all make an appearance.
Places to visit nearby
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Forget the stuffy museums of the past, this maritime treat brings the history of the sea alive.
Visitors can walk the deck of Victorian sloop HMS Gannet, explore Second World War destroyer HMS Cavalier and wonder at the Cold War submarine HMS Ocelot. Learn about the varied history of the seas and the Dockyard – one of the Royal Navy’s main facilities for several hundred years - and watch the Master Ropemakers at work at the Victorian Ropery. You can also wander around the settings of dozens of Hollywood films and TV favourites filmed there.
Distance from The Vines Wedding Venue: 3.5miles by car or 2.1miles by foot
Copper Rivet Distillery
One of the few distilleries in the UK that undertakes the complete process of brewing and distilling from grain to glass. Set in a stunning Victorian Pump House, visitors can participate in tours to see how they make and produce a range of spirits - and even better, try a few themselves!
Distance from The Vines Wedding Venue: 3.7 miles by car or 2.6 miles by foot
use The Vines of Rochester as a base for day trips, to:
Whitstable
Lobster shacks; oyster huts; fish and chips on the beach at sunset. With a huge range of food and drink and a pretty little town, it’s clear why Whitstable has become one of the must-visit seaside towns in the whole of the South.
Distance from The Vines Wedding Venue: 31 miles
Margate
With a long sandy beach, amusement arcades, Dreamland amusement park and the Turner art gallery, it’s no wonder visitors are flocking to Margate in their thousands.
Distance from The Vines Wedding Venue: 46 miles