I recently visited Rochester and had such a great experience exploring both the castle and the town itself. Rochester Castle is absolutely stunning—full of rich history and with an incredible view from the top. The castle is quite a climb, so if you're not great with heights or a bit nervous about steep steps, you might want to admire it from below. But even from the ground, the structure is impressive and totally worth seeing. The town of Rochester is just as lovely. It has a really charming, historic vibe with lots of independent bookshops, quirky little stores, and cozy cafés. We were lucky to catch the local market too, which had a great mix of food, crafts, and handmade items. There’s definitely something for everyone. The park next to the castle is big, peaceful, and perfect for a stroll or a picnic, and the whole area is family-friendly. I'd say it’s great for all age groups, but do be careful with the steps inside the castle—they’re steep and uneven in places. One thing that stood out was how kind and welcoming the people were. It really added to the whole experience. Whether you're into history, shopping, relaxing in the park, or just exploring somewhere new, Rochester has a lot to offer.

Amazing experience, well maintained, has a lovely gift shop with good prices. Has an option for an audio tour however isn't necessary as they have signage explaining the events. We went when the weather was beautiful so was really nice. Alot of steps but definitely worth it for the views of Rochester and the cathedral.

I loved this place. My kids enjoyed this place. The audio guide they gave was helpful. The castle is very old yet preserved well. It is safe with beautiful sights from the top. Absolute pleasure to visit

The castle looks so authentic - a lot of work has gone into preserving this! It's great that people can walk around the outer motte area free of charge. The surrounding area is all in keeping with the historic buildings. Stunning vistas of the castle and across the River Medway, excellent!

Came here for a Craig David concert, it was absolutely brilliant! Amazing venue in the grounds with the castle. Bag searches were vigorous! There were bars, food, tea and coffee, ice creams, glitter tent, medical tent and portaloos. Got a real mini festival vibe, was such a great afternoon and night, really nice crowd. Lots of security too.

Rochester Castle in Kent makes for a great day visit, offering one of England’s best-preserved Norman keeps—the tallest in the country at 113 feet. Built in the 12th century and famously besieged by King John in 1215, it’s a dramatic slice of medieval history. Visitors can climb winding staircases for sweeping views over the River Medway, explore the vast roofless interior, and relax in the surrounding gardens. It’s not wheelchair accessible due to the many steps, but the site is atmospheric, rarely overcrowded, and pairs well with a visit to nearby Rochester Cathedral. Expect to spend around two hours here for a rewarding mix of history, views, and quiet charm. Definitely Recommended.

Interesting to walk up the tower of this ancient castle. Some remainders of the walls of the Bailey still remain and there are lovely views over the River Medway, which are even better from top of tower. Good interpretive boards throughout. Didn't take particularly long to visit and was out in about half an hour. Friendly staff, Interesting history; a good ruin.

This cathedral is small and select, but very good to explore. There was a lot to see and the staff were very kind and welcoming. We just missed out on the mini golf but that was okay, there was still plenty to see! The stained glass windows were beautiful and there seemed to be lots of exhibitions on. It's very easy to find and navigate.

Rochester Cathedral is breathtaking from the moment you see it. The architecture is incredible, with beautiful stonework, high arches, and peaceful interiors that make you stop and admire every detail. It is the second oldest cathedral in England, and you can truly feel the history in every corner. It is not just a religious site, but a brilliant tourist attraction with calm surroundings, helpful staff, and fascinating displays about its past. The mix of ancient design and modern exhibitions makes it enjoyable for all ages. Whether you love history, architecture, or simply peaceful places, Rochester Cathedral is definitely worth a visit.

The cathedral second only in time to that at Canterbury, was the See of Cardinal John Fisher martyred for refusing to accept the religious settlement of King Henry VIII in 1535. The church is steeped in history and whilst a cathedral, feels like a parish church. The tours are very informative. Of interest is that as a former Benedictine Monastery we were told that the cathedral community continue to read a chapter of the Rule of St Benedict. We were also told that the cathedral does not charge as, as a former benedictine community the cathedral does not charge, as under the Rule the cathedral community welcomes guests as pilgrims, as under the Rule. The cathedral has a regular pause for prayer throughout the day c/half of the hour. Of the many highlights in the cathedral is the beautifully carved font, the Rochester Triptych, a simplistic carving of the Virgin Mary in the Lady Chapel. The tomb of Bishop Merton, medieval floor files under the alter near Bishop Merton's tomb, to the left and to the left of this altar is a door behind which is one of the oldest doors in the country. The restored quire by Gilbert Scott restores the medieval pattern. The beautiful carving on an internal door to the chapter house. And by the entrance in the North Transept is an Icon in 2004, the orthodox icon depicts the conversion and baptism of the King of Kent. The tombs of Sts Paulinus and Itemar. Of interest to those interested in the Zulu War is memorial to Lt Chard VC of the Rorkes Drift defense. One could spend a day exploring the surface of the history of the cathedral.

Stunning Cathedral. V helpful, friendly and welcoming staff; visiting alone i was approached several times by staff saying hello, finding out where I was from, telling me fascinating snippets of information. It was a delight speaking to them all and they oozed enthusiasm and pride for the Cathedral, it's history, what it offered, and how they wanted to welcome visitors. Crypt was closed sadly, so wasn't able to view the Textus ... maybe another time. Cafe was in a lovely setting in the Crypt with a good selection of cakes to have with your coffee. No charge, but donations welcome. Loved it here ❤️

Very well kept, and a stunning piece of architecture. It's also great that the surrounding area has been more or less preserved, to keep the context of the cathedral - although there are cars on the pedestrian-looking roads, so beware of traffic.

Lovely Catherdral, with an amazing organ. The place is beautiful and serene. The volunteers are all very helpful and friendly. There is a nice souvenir shop, toilets. Not sure if there's a cafe 🤔 Entrance is free.

Beautiful well kept cathedral. The clergy were lovely and very caring and fun and informative.

There is an entry fee for this museum, but it does have some unique exhibits. It has a multi level prison hulk exhibit and an exhibition with Charles Dickens artifacts.

This is a very nice little museum but unfortunately not free. Would recommend a visit but it may not be accessible to all now due to the fee which is a shame for some families. However saying all that, I don’t object to paying a fee because these lovely places in this day and age will be lost without a fee.

Amazing little museum. Had a great afternoon out with my family. The Guildhall has some great exhibits and delves into the history of the Medway towns very well. I've lived in Medway pretty much all my life and I still learnt something new.

Exhibition and wedding venue as well as a small museum to learn about history. Good for kids to learn more in fun way.

For a free museum, we had a great time and I'd well say that it's worth a visit. He spent a good hour walking round the whole place, and a lot of the exhibits were interactive, so it was a great place to bring kids. Some of the historical torture stuff involving the dockside prisons might be a bit strong for children, so visit with caution. The preservation of the old paintings and artifacts from the towns is particularly good for any history buffs.

Wonderful museum. Small, but packed with information and artifacts from the local area. Staff are friendly and helpful. Lots of information about Charles Dickens, his life, loves and death. Lovely, enjoyable & educational museum. Update: I returned to the museum with my friend and they have added the Hulks exhibition. We loved it! I highly recommend.

Loved it. This is a free museum and well maintained. Step back in history. We parked in the paid parking near by and walked down to the museum. Rochester cathedral is 3 min away. The street has some amazing antique type shops.

Free car park near by. No more than 5 minutes walk to get there. Slight decline down to get there on cobbled road. The view at the bottom is spectacular. The staff at the pay / shop are very friendly and inviting. Informed us of where to go along with a paper map. Lots of interesting facts around the castle and the video with the barrel seats is good to watch. The views from all the different windows and towers make some lovely pictures. Several good places to have picnics. Nice little shop at the end of the walk. Be prepared for lots of steps, twisty steps and some deep steps. Lovely place to visit for a couple of hours. We went as a family of 2 adults and 2 children and a senior.

Parked in the free car park nearby and was the first person there. Despite being a relatively small castle there is plenty to see with a fascinating history. Be aware that it can be a bit dark in places with old uneven steps and low headroom. There are some great views over the river Medway. There is a well stocked gift shop.

Lovely little castle, interesting signs telling you the history. Doesn't take too long to go around. Some tlc needed in certain areas but staff were lovely and friendly and the shop was cute and cheap! Lovely views.

google maps way does not lead to the castle it took us round to the houses along the edge of the medway, however we got to the castle just before closing but we still managed to see all of it it was good and comes with a cat!

Quick cheap Uber ride from Rochester castle. Really nice views of the marsh and River Medway. A few activities for kids. Good signage explaining the castle. Restrooms available. Small gift shop with snacks. Free reign of the castle and grounds. Nice fun visit. Afterwards, we took an uber to Cobham Wood (dropped off by the Alpaca farm)and walked up through fields to the tree area and right at the lower fence to see the Furry Highland cattle.

Very interesting fort with a rather chequered history. When we visited they had an easter egg hunt on which rather ruined the visit with kids running around yelling. Might go back again when its quieter. Also the place didn't open on time as they didn't have enough staff.

Small castle but worth a visit. Situated in the village of Upnor which itself is beautiful. A bit of a trek from the nearest train station. We walked from Rochester after visiting the castle there, but got a cab back!

Trip Advisor tried to silence this resident!! ‘Watt(s)’ the Dick’ens is going on at the poor travellers’ house (6PTH) again - I hear you ask once more! The newly appointed misguided CEO, employed for such a short time (Oh WATT! an error in judgment on the part of those Trustees it would seem), made the decision to put MONEY before history and charity – that’s Watt! Well, he has clearly misjudged the mood of this resident, Rochester and beyond. So that’s Watt it took, is it? - just £2,300 monthly rent – Watt can only be alluded to as the charity’s very own 30 pieces of silver - for selling out Medway residents, the wider public and many 1000s of tourists which was clearly against the intentions of Master Richard Watts: for Mankind was [his] business. The common welfare was [his] business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, were all [his] business! This fascinating alms house situated in ‘The silent High Street…’ ‘in the ancient little city of Rochester in Kent’ visibly inscribed, inter alia, in the annals of history and immortalised in Dickens’ very own short story ‘The 7 Poor Travellers’ now finds itself nothing more than part of a money making scheme. I’m certain that in the original gift of the residue of his estate Mr Watts, himself, would not permit his house to be privately rented, since it clearly flies in the face of everything we have been led to understand Watts, himself, believed in - I feel sure that this was not what was meant by either the spirit [or] the intentions of this remarkable philanthropist! How do the Trustees acknowledge the Watts legacy and all the benefits they have reaped from trading on their long standing affiliation with the fame and enduring popularity of the author Charles Dickens? By Watt can only best be described as one of the worst decisions ever made i.e. to deny visitors/ travellers and tourists alike from all across Europe and beyond, access to one of the last hugely important vestiges of 16th Century Rochester – and all without warning! Watt would Dickens make of it being a Traveller myself, though an idle one…? The Charity clearly no longer continues to exhibit the tradition of the house founder Master Richard Watts. Watt does the Watts Charity do? Instead of using its vast influence in lobbying Medway Council to bring back the world renowned summer Dickens festival, its Trustees appear to be content just to grasp the money the rental opportunity has afforded it. Moreover, Watt guarantee do visitors have that the renters will exuberate the love, knowledge and history of this place, which was so evidently expressed by the previous Custodians – Elizabeth et al; whose vast knowledge, warmth and charm exhibited its heritage, knowledge abounded, who not only fed my own interest, but from whom I learnt so much. ‘Watt’ more can a 21st century traveller passing through Medway ask for? It can ask, no DEMAND, access to the Tudor property on more than just the high days and holidays, especially given the fact that Rochester is left with only the wonderful Sweeps! 3-day festival in May, since Dickens’ festivals are no more. Watt was once a physic garden, full of medicinal plants, has been ruthlessly hacked back – and restricted to private use only. So cutting back the plants, which were all evidently a labour of love, for there’s a spirit here which clearly manifests itself through abundance! It’s a haven from the hustle and bustle of modern day life was yet another mistake made by the Trustees. SHAME ON YOU TRUSTEES - firstly, for approving such a monstrous decision and secondly, for removing the most enthusiastic custodians I have had the benefit of encountering at any historic sight. The great man, himself, would no doubt be spinning in his grave! I urge all visitors to the 6PTH NOT to step over its threshold until the Trustees have come to their senses! Shame on you trustees! Shame on you!

I always thought I knew Rochester well, but had more to learn visiting the Six Poor Traveller house, completely fortuitously today. The lady curator who welcomed us was friendly and a fount of knowledge on the house and old Rochester as well. The house is now a well informed museum on the charity that runs it, going right back to its founding by the dockyard victualler Richard Watts. This lovely old stone building is well kept and clean and describes the origin and meaning of poor travellers and how the charity catered for them. Their snug bedrooms are shown as well as their communal meeting rooms and washing facilities.At the back is a beautifully kept herbal garden where you can sit. We think of the past as harsh and unforgiving, but when you see the current few homeless on Rochesters high street it makes you wonder if the past wasn't more forgiving than we like to think. Do visit this interesting house and take in its wonderful atmosphere and karma.

Super interesting history and amazing little garden to look around. The lady at the desk today (Sunday 22nd May) was lovely and very knowledgeable. Gems like this can't exist without people like her, she was great.

What a gem! I'd highly recommend visiting Six Poor Traveller House. The staff is so knowledgeable and the history of the place together with the legacy of Watts is fascinating. Entry is free but cash donations are welcomed.

Six Poor Travellers House and garden is a lovely little museum, a hidden gem, bursting at the seams with stories. I visited the day before the Easter weekend and had the privilege of having the house to myself. From the moment I knocked on the door I was made to feel welcome by Elizabeth, the lovely custodian and curator. She is tremendously knowledgeable, hospitable and warm, continuing the tradition of the house’s founder, Richard Watts (a remarkable philanthropist). I learned so much, about travel restrictions in 16th century Britain, domestic architecture and customs, and over 300 years of charity (with a bit of crime & punishment thrown in). Do go – you will not be disappointed. And do leave a generous donation, to help Richard Watts Charities continue their brilliant work.

Heartmoving story of generosity and love for the common man. Safe board and lodgings with a few pennies to be on their way the next morning. All to brief a tour or benelovance experlty told by the knowledgeable guide - thank you! The Six Poor Traveller House is a delight to experience - please donate it's a free tour.

Excellent visit, the person showing us around was knowledgeable, frienly and enthusiastic. I would highly reccommend a visit, its such an important part of the history of Rochester.

Love this place, been a few times with friends and family. And recently went to one of their social events Blood on the clock tower. Glad I went was nervous to go having never been to something like this before and not played the game before. The staff are very welcoming, friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend if you like to play games and be in a relaxed atmosphere.

This place is just wonderful, I always have the best time when I visit. Booking is easy or even if you walk in an ask if there's a table available. The themed nights (LIKE POKÉMON TCG) are so fun 💜 meeting like-minded ppl & enjoying the absolutely GORGEOUS food (I love the burgers!) and being served by such friendly staff is so needed these days. 🌈 Playopolis will always be one of the best places to visit in Rochester so don't miss out this gem 💎 on your plans in this Town x X x x

Absolutely awesome place. With a huge selection of boardgames on offer for every player type; Playopolis is a wonderful place for a group of friends to pass the evening. There's a wide range of drinks and snacks available to keep you going and our hosts made us immediately feel right at home. Will 100% be back next time we're in Rochester.

Such a variety of games to choose from including 1 player games through to 10+ players, a 3 hour session went by sooo quickly. The drinks were lovely we had iced coffees, ice cream matcha and milkshakes. The menu was quite small but staff were also able to cater for both vegetarian and coeliac needs within the group. A really fun way to spend an afternoon and great value.

Had such a lovely time there 🥰 The cocktails are amazing 🤩 so delicious, and there are plenty of vegan options, and it's all decently priced. Plenty of games given the size of the place :) And the staff are really lovely. I can't wait to go again!

This is a great place to visit, especially if you like board games. They have games for all skills and ages (even little ones). The food options are good and tasty. Service is friendly and swift. The concept is great - book a table ahead of time (they may accept walk-ins if there's space), - then order your food via an iPad that they give you to use. - next you pop into the next room to select a board game and bring it back to your table to play - Your food/drinks arrive as you play and you can order more refreshments via the iPad for the duration of your 3 hour booking - You have a great time and pay when you're done. Great idea that is well-executed!

So lucky to have this place on our doorstop! Such an amazing space to play games with friends & family alike. The staff are so friendly & helpful - they could recommend games based on our party size & likes & checked in with us at various points. I love the iPad ordering system too so you get grab drinks & snacks & food without leaving your game! We attended nearly all their online quizzes during lockdown too. Definitely going to be getting membership cards soon!

A museum exploring a people from the 17th century; the Huguenots were refugees that were welcomed in to England and other European nations. A research service is also included, to find if your surname is matchable to a Huguenot, using historical documents.

Sometimes making a detour can be the best part of a trip. Certainly was the case today. The sweeps festival and Guild hall, Dickens etc in Rochester was a great plan but..... Coming across from the station if I can recommend an unmissable stop, The Huguenot Museum before you get to the high St. (It's upstairs to the left) Please come with a learners mind. It is a very well put together exhibition and such informed staff who were so so helpful. Huguenot history is such a lesson to be learn for all of us. The pains of religion and how we must look after those who have suffered. I truly recommend an hour here. Don't pay attention to negative reviews below. Size of a museum is irrelevant.

A small museum on the first floor of what is/was the Tourist Information Centre. The museum, modest cost c£5:00 (with concessions) tells an important aspect of the history of Rochester and nation. The Huguenots fled persecution from Franch, during war of religion. During the same period in history in England Elizabethan laws were applied by successive protestant monarch against English Catholics and other non-conformists. For a small museum, it covers a lot of history and is very informative with artifacts from the period including a bible that was baked in a loaf of bread to hide it. A wonderful and detailed dolls house a small sculpture as well a other objects use in daily, religious and medical life including a bleeding pan. The Hugonauts founded the French Protestant hospital further down the high street. Currently below the museum is displayed one of the original HMV paintings of Nipper - His Masters Voice.

A interesting and small museum that doesn't cost a lot to get into.

Small but decent enough to have a little free look around.

First of all I was asked by the woman behind the desk if I wanted the pensioner entry price and when I politely replied no because I am not a pensioner all I got was Oh make sure to see the dollshouse which was very beautiful. Today is my 54th birthday and I am prematurely grey. I had been looking forward to going round for ages as I am of Hugenot descent. I spent as little time as I could as I was so upset and as soon as I rejoined my husband and daughter outside, we went off somewhere quiet and I burst into tears because of how I was spoken to. I had so been looking forward to today's visit and it was utterly ruined by how I was spoken to especially as it is my birthday.

A fascinating and important museum, particularly in these days of demonising foreigners. Religious refugees from France, the Huguenots were hated by many when they came, but have contributed massively to the culture, entertainment and wealth of the nation.

The most beautiful house and gardens tucked away down a side road. The lady selling tickets was so friendly and welcoming. We went round the house first and spoke to a few volunteer curators who had an incredible amount of knowledge, especially the gentleman who told us about the paintings. You can also get a brochure about them too. Then a break in the charming tearoom which must have been a kitchen before. Lovely ladies taking food and drink orders, I recommend their delicious sandwiches! A good pot of tea and lots of cakes to choose from. Then the gardens, wow, what absolutely stunning gardens! Make sure you follow every path and go through every arch. I could happily spend a morning in the house and spend the whole afternoon in the garden. Just enjoy and take a slower pace in life to enjoy and relax. Get some cold drinks from the tearoom and sit under a shady spot very relaxing. Tables and chairs around the garden. Highly recommend a visit!

Fantastic house , gardens and lovely traditional tearoom, which serves freshly made sandwiches and locally made cakes. Very knowledgeable room guides and interesting house of art and antique collection of owners. The gardens are extensive and worthy of a visit in their own right.

A hidden gem. Exquisite detail throughout this lovingly restored house that has to be seen in person. So glad that the owners have made it publicly accessible. The gardens are far more extensive than you would guess for a townhouse, with an unexpected diversity. Took me around 75 mins to see everything inside and out. Visited with my Historic Houses membership and I would say it’s highly worth a detour from Rochester’s high street to visit.

Rochester's best kept secret. Such a delight to have this fabulous house and gardens on our doorstep. We have visited every year for the past five years and watched it develop. Stunning and a great place to relax and contemplate. Fabulous charity based tearooms and enthusiastic, engaging and knowledgeable house guides tip this off to perfection.

After living in Rochester for 20 years, I finally went to Restoration House & Gardens today and it was worth the wait! Gorgeous gardens, with plenty of tables and chairs dotted about discreetly, where you can have a tea and cake and the house itself was so interesting and joy to wander through! The best bit was the staff though! All Volunteers and a different person in each room! They were so knowledgable and gave some fun facts, as well as telling us the history of the property. I could have stayed there all day!! The lady at the front who sold us the ticket was also wonderful! Very friendly and informative!!!

Really enjoy my visit. The guides are very helpful. Loved the house. The gardens are beautiful and peaceful. Plenty of tables outside to enjoy a cuppa. A must if you are in the area

Lovely old house to visit.beautiful garden with lots interesting sections including water fountains.reasonable price.

An interesting house with lots of history. Friendly staff. Lovely gardens at the back of the property where you can see the outside of Charles Dickens writing chalet.

One of many buildings in Rochester that inspired local writer Charles Dickens. The garden is open to the public and is now home to Dickens's writing chalet.

This is a lovely garden to visit just of Rochester hg street. It is where Charles dickens chalet is located. It is so nice and peaceful here and only ever a few people in here at a time. As you enter you will see the little pond which looks lovely in the summer with the lily pads flowering. As you walk through to the second part of the garden you will notice how beautiful it looks with all the flowers blooming. There is a few benches to sit on to just relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. Lennys cafe backs onto the garden which is also a great place to grab a hot drink and cakes.

A very interesting place with history wa y back to 1590. Dickins is said to have written some of his work here in a chalet which I think is available to view, Charles dickins also mentions this venue twice including in the pickwick papers.

The house is closed on Mondays but the gardens are always open. I love this time of year when the lavender is in full bloom and the herbaceous borders are brimming with bright blooms and bees. The gardens are a quiet spot. It’s never packed. There are plenty of benches and shady spots or full sun if you like to sit on the grass and bring a picnic. I just love it here.

Visiting Eastgate House in Rochester is like stepping back in time! This charming historic home, where Charles Dickens spent part of his later years writing some of his most remarkable stories, is a true gem. The house is beautifully preserved, and walking through the rooms gives you a real sense of the creativity and inspiration that surrounded Dickens. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, adding so much depth to the experience. Whether you’re a literature lover, history enthusiast, or just looking for a peaceful and inspiring visit, Eastgate House is an absolute must-see. A wonderful blend of history, culture, and inspiration! I definitely recommend. Charles Dickens 1812-1870

Step back in time at Eastgate house has been turned back in to a museum with work ongoing. Good venue for weddings got married here ten years ago. Beautiful old building. Good entry price well worth a look.

Great place for a long refreshing walk. Long paths strewn with big puddles bring you all the around in a big loop. I would have loved to check out the remains of the old explosives works but it is all privately owned land with no public access. Popular place for bird watchers with views of the river Thames to the west. If you can see passed the odd burned out car and fly tipping the area does have some beauty.

A beautiful part of the British countryside with gorgeous views at sunset, especially during the golden hour. A must visit for anyone looking to escape the city for a few hours to decompress and relax... However, there's only one rubbish bin. 2 stars

So theres clearly lots of biodiversity here, we went in the evening and saw glow worms! There is however a lot of dog poo on the walking trails, we walked on the road in the end to avoid it. There is also the constant noise of the quarry. The actual pools are sort of hidden by brambles and where you could go to the edge, was really smelly and a bit stagnant. Long walks and nice views and sunsets, but probably wont go back.

It's a great place for ducks and lapwings in the winter. Must have been nearly 1000 lapwings in a murmuration. Be careful what directions you follow though. There is a decent car park, so follow the link from the rsp website rather than straight from Google maps.

Nice nature area. Very remote. Look out for ruins of the old explosives factory and cliffs fort. Expect container ships to go past regularly along the Thames estuary. Lovely place for birds and various other wildlife like rabbits.

The car park says it opens at 9am (not 10am) but it was open when I got there around 7:45am. Some good bird spotting, though lots of shrubberies for them to hide in so can be tough to spot what you can hear! I did the big route round the edge but would probably use the shorter routes nearer the car park in future as they were the nicer areas - it gets a bit industrial and desolate by the Thames.

Great place to come for long walks with your family or your furry friends. You can lost yourself for hours there! If you are history lover you can see Cliffe Fort which is now disused artillery fort, built in the 1860s to guard the entrance to the Thames from seaborne attack. Public foot paths can be muddy in some places, depending on season and weather conditions, so wellies would be very appropriate. The car park gates are shuts at 4 pm.

Pleasant green space with a tree lined path connecting two historic streets. The area was once a priory vineyard, and now houses plenty of benches, making it a good place to sit and take a few moments break on a morning walk. The path is lit, but generally best avoided after dark.

Lovely park. Sadly the odd occasion you get the few sitting on benches drinking and playing music. No thought to others but if you ignore them the park is lovely. Nice big tree to run around. Great place to take some photos with the kids. And awesome to scoot around. There are little sculptures that you can explore. Very nice place to sit down or have a quick picnic when visiting Rochester.

A nice park in the middle of Rochester.

A lovely small park , just off the high st and back of the cathedral in Rochester, a great place to walk your dog. Sadly over the last few years has been a place for the less desirable to “hangout”, however don’t let this put you off as many local people care for the park. Spring is a great time to visit.

Great little park. More of a liminal space as it's several paths crisscrossing through, not an open green for sports really. Features as a setting in some Dickens novels. I only wish there was more of it as Rochester could really use a bigger park off the town centre.

Nice park and open space near the the historic catherdral quarter of the town. Good place to unwind.

One of Rochester's charming lesser known attractions after the castle and cathedral and high street. Also home to the annual cherry picnic in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support

Great for adults to sit or use for ball games however not a great park for kids. It’s really gone down hill recently!

Lovely park on the river. Lots of wide open green spaces with great views of the bridge, castle and surrounding landscape. It has a very active and welcoming friends group (Friends of Rochester Churchfields and Esplanade, aka FoRCE) who organise volunteer sessions for gardening and litter picking. Definitely worth a visit and a volunteer.

A really lovely open space, nice to walk along with a little playground for the kids to play in. Has the dramatic backdrop of Rochester Castle behind, which is well worth a walk around. Be aware, there's well over 200 steps to negotiate and if you don't like heights, you might not like this!

Great for a quick evening walk with the dogs. Love the view of the water and the castle. Fantastic mix of people also here all of the time.

Lovely place to go and watch the sunset over the River Medway. And only a 5 min walk to the picturesque High Street if you want to grab a cuppa and have a stroll around the local shops.

Nice promenade for a walk or run along the river. Lots of green space with picnic benches, there's also a kids playground.

Beautiful park, with a few pinic benches close tp the water, with Rochester Castle as a backdrop, lovely place to watch the sunset on a summers evening

So I popped in today as I was visiting rochester from London. I have a large piece by Anne Brenner to frame. I asked an older lady about a specific frame’s price to which she replied that it’s hand painted. So I followed up with a question if it’s sold by a meter to which she said that it wasn’t and turned around to another customer (English) both laughing behind my back. A very unpleasant experience and felt quite racist. I’ll not be going back for sure!

A really lovely shop. Great selection of cards and gifts. The gallery upstairs is great too. The prices are fair not overpriced like other stores. The staff are really friendly, the shop is a must if you're in Rochester.

A wonderful gallery showcasing the best of local talent. The card and gift section is also excellent. Support independent stores like this. Francis Iles has been a fixture on Rochester High Street for half a century and is still family owned and lovingly maintained and run.

Francis Iles gallery is situated right in the middle of Rochester High St, a short distance from both the Castle car park and Rochester Station. The gallery always has a great selection of sculptures, original paintings and limited edition prints by artists employing many different styles. The staff are also friendly and helpful, without being overly pushy, making wandering around a pleasure. If you enjoy art there is almost certainly going to be something to grab your attention. If not don't give up, it's worth visiting regularly as there's frequently new art being displayed by both regular and guest artists. Well worth a visit!

If you like good art & expert advice on it visit the gallery at least on a quarterly basis as the collection for sale is changed. Paintings to satisfy all tastes & the Artists of Russia are particularly bold & vibrant. A good place to spend half an hour whilst in Rochester & you may just be tempted to buy!

I've been coming here to buy art materials and see the exhibitions since 1979! There's some amazing art on display along with gift ideas, a framing service and art materials. Helpful, experienced staff on hand to offer any advice or requirements you might have too.

Lovely shop to get cards and gifts for all occasions. The gallery is full of wonderful pieces of art, at excellent prices. Always have a browse when I visit

ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST Superb production which wouldn’t seem out of place in The West End. Hilariously funny whilst still being poignant. Slapstick yet bitingly satirical. Absurdly over the top characters but acted so well they felt like real people. Great fun.

A little gem. We've just been for the first time after years of walking past and saying we must go. We saw "When the wind blows", an absolutely brilliant production with Zo Hartley and Ian White giving a gripping Tragic, funny, moving performance. If this is the quality of production we will return again and again. Thoroughly recommend.

Despite being a lifetime resident of Chatham, this was for shame my first visit to the Medway Little Theatre. I loved it. It's exactly what it says on the tin. The bar is well stocked and reasonably priced.

I attend every production at the theatre and always enjoy the shows. I had the pleasure of attending the Youth Production this evening. The play, acting, and production were all of a high quality. Thank you for an excellent evening. John Portman

Just saw When The Wind Blows. Impressed by how professional the set up and cast are. The venue is excellent too. Intimate and interesting. Worth a visit.

A lovely little theatre showing a range of high-quality community and youth theatre.

Lovely old theatre, not many sitting, bar and refreshments, play was entertaining will go again ,soon i hope

We had a pretty good experience at cafe nucleus; my main gripe is with the prices. Inside it looks quite grand and different to your usual brunch spot. We were seated upstairs with no wait (midday on a weekday) and it wasn’t particularly busy which was nice. It was well air conditioned on a hot day. The food was pretty good although we weren’t blown away. The coffee is very good though, it’s got a balanced and strong flavour and it comes through well even in a milky drink like an iced latte. Our server was polite and friendly, and food was served efficiently. The only thing they are let down by really is the prices, they are astronomical. £7 for a small iced latte is just ridiculous. Any extras tend to be priced high and separately - I have never had to pay per bacon slice to have bacon pancakes. If the food was exceptional I could say the prices are justified, but it’s not, so that was a little disappointing.

Our brunch was enjoyable, and the drinks were a nice surprise, especially the pear juice, which I highly recommend. The menu offers a wide selection, though the prices feel a bit steep. I’m still open to returning to try their lunch or dinner options.

Enjoyable lunch in a lovely setting. I had the braised beef brisket and apple crumble, both of which were delicious - and I loved the cute plating of the dessert. The atmosphere was relaxed and not too noisy. We had a few service hiccups during the meal which was unfortunate - but the manager on duty was helpful in resolving, arranged a complimentary round of drinks as apology, and the team were extra attentive for the rest of our visit. Will definitely return at some point for brunch.

We Ate in the sunny courtyard for a quick lunch. Varied menu choices to suit all tastes and budgets. Had a lovely salad of chicken avacado and bacon husband had sausage sandwich with side of chips, only a few chips though was a rather small portion for the price. Very good portion size for the salad so made up for the chips. Quaint and good atmosphere.

Beautiful area and lovely building. However the food was ok/good, definitely not worth the ridiculous prices. Proportions were not big, the healthy breakfast, which I would say was not extensive or amazing was £17! A Moroccan tea (tea bag and hot water) was over £4! Brekkie for me and my friend came to over £40. Had it been good portions and tasted exquisite then the price would be satisfactory, but it really did not warrant the price. A lot of places now think that sprinkling some greens on stuff makes it worth more money, fyi, it does not!

What a fantastic lunch. The staff, although rushed off their feet were very friendly and one even supplied a piece of history about the building. The food. Amazing!!!!! Loved every mouthful. A great location for Rochester castle. Would thoroughly recommend. 👍 xx

Delicious food and lovely staff. Also, an amazing building! Always love visiting. Extensive menu - a wide selection of good and drinks. Highly recommend the waffles, scrambled egg and bacon with maple syrup.