Day trip to Rochester

View from the castle across to the bridge and the River Medway

It seems most of my trips involve a river. This time it is the Medway. What a lovely place Rochester is. I rather fell in love with it. Everything is so central. Here are lots about Charles Dickens, and it has a castle, a cathedral and lots of interesting independent shops.

We took the train from St Pancras International and once off the train we looked for somewhere to get a cup of tea, as usual! Tiny Tims was ideal. Two lovely ladies served us pots of tea and there was a TV, so we could watch the end of the men's Olympic Triathlon.

Tiny Tims, a nice place to stop for refreshment

The Cathedral and the castle are opposite one another, and we opted for the cathedral first. There has been a cathedral of sorts on this site since early in history. Justus was the first Bishop of Rochester, consecrated in 604, and at the same time, the Bishop established a Benedictine monastic community and an adjacent priory.

Bishop of Rochester, Walter de Merton (1274-1277) whose early life and education was at Merton Priory, which can be found under Sainsbury carpark in Merton! Also worth a visit.

Pilgrim steps, so worn away that wooden ones have been placed on top.

Rochester Cathedral

Although not the biggest cathedral, it is beautiful, and I especially love the organ pipes, which are the most colourful I think I have ever seen. Charles Dickens, who lived near Rochester, has a memorial here, though he is buried in Westminster Abbey. He apparently wanted to be buried in the cathedral graveyard at the foot of the castle wall, but I guess he was too famous to be left here.

The Quire & Organ.

Charles Dickens inside the cathedral library

The library

Grounds around the cathedral

The oldest part of the priory

Dragon installation, part of an exhibition

The crypt is used as a cafe and an exhibition space where the history and artifacts of the cathedral can be seen. We stopped for lunch here before heading over to the castle.

Rochester Castle is a ruin, but if you have a head for heights, you can walk to the top of the building. From here you can see across the Medway and onwards. The views are worth the climb. Many times have I crossed the bridge into Rochester on my way elsewhere. It is one of my favourite views. Now here I was. Built in around 1127 by William of Corbeil, Archbishop of Canterbury with the encouragement of Henry I, the castle stands 113 feet high, overlooking the River Medway.

The chapel

View from the top

Across the River Medway

The castle is built over three floors, above a basement and cesspit used as a toilet and rubbish dump. Run by English Heritage, the castle also has a small shop. Within the grounds of the castle there is a mobile cafe, and I was impressed with their vegan menu. We stopped for the inevitable cuppa!

Afterwards, we walked a little way along the Medway before heading back into town. The Tourist Information Office has been permanently closed. The demise of these offices is a sadness to me. Wherever I go, the first place I look for is the Tourist Information. There are so few of them left. In the building where the office used to be is the Huguenot Museum. We didn't get time to visit, but they directed us to the Guildhall where we were able to collect a map of the town, and there are a few leaflets about what's on in the town. That is where the general museum is. Again there wasn't really time to visit, but we have already decided to return at some stage to visit the museums and shops.

I have to say this was one of the best days out and beat my expectations. I cannot wait to return.