Fun things to do in Chatham: 21 fun attractions and activities

So I live in the over populated, loud and busy Medway Towns. The Dockyard is not only a wonderful step back in history, it is peaceful. It is run with care and attention and those who work there are knowledgeable and very friendly. A perfect day trip. It is still a working dockyard and new businesses are moving into the offices and a new wedding venue is being restored for 2026. I love this place!

Our visit coincided with the 1940s-themed event, which was exceptionally well-executed. It is regrettable that this was the final iteration. The event's organization was commendable. However, the Call the Midwife taster session, priced at £10 per person for a 20-minute experience, received negative feedback from our group, who considered it to be a poor value proposition and not representative of the full tour. This may deter future participation in the main tour. Despite this, the overall experience remained positive.

We have used our yearly ticket a few times over the year and always end up having a long and fulfilling day out. Engaging for grown ups and a 6 year old. We usually pack a picnic, but this time having exited via the restaurant, the food looked delicious and the menu is fairly priced, so we will treat ourselves next time. All of the staff are so lovely and friendly, but an extra shout out to Jazmyn today who was FANTASTIC! She was so enthusiastic and gave us some lovely information about HMS Gannet. We feel like we learn something new every time, making the yearly ticket very much worth it. Can't wait to see further development of the site over the next 10 years.

Great day out. Never been before. The historic ships reviewed elsewhere. The ticket is valid for a whole year,so I will be back in the spring. If you are walking from the station, it's a good 30 minute walk.

Ever since moving to Kent, some 30 odd years ago, have always enjoyed visiting the Historic Dockyard in Chatham... So much history on your doorstep. No need to try and see everything at once, as the tickets last a whole year... Long may this place continue 👍👍👍

Well worth seeing , make sure you go in the submarine . Tickets would be more economical as a local as they last for a year so it was expensive for us just to visit once . But very interesting my son loved it especially

Really great museum full of history and learning! We visited as a family with our 9 year old. She loved every minute from walking around the exhibits to the tour of the cold war era submarine. Plenty to see and do covering the whole history of the dockyard from its earliest days to its closure in the 1980's. We spent about half a day and could have stayed longer if we had the time. Tickets are valid for a year so if you are local then you can go back and dont have to do it all in a single session. Also there are some concessions, when we arrived we found out english heritage members get discount which was an unexpected bonus. Overall well worth a visit and we will be back before our year tickets run out!

📍 Unexpected Visit We stopped by for an impromptu visit while we were in the area. Unfortunately, we didn’t realize the tunnel tour requires advance booking. 😅 🕳️ Tunnel Tour From what we’ve read in reviews, the tunnel experience is fantastic — we’ll definitely book it next time! 🏛️ Exterior Grounds Although we didn’t join the guided tour, we explored the exterior site on our own. There was plenty to see, and lots of informational signs scattered around. We didn’t have to pay to access the outdoor areas. 🅿️ Facilities Parking: Available on-site, but it’s paid. Shop: There’s a small shop selling drinks and other items. 🥤🍪 Play Area: Great for families — includes a playground and swings. 🛝 👍 Would I Recommend It? Absolutely! Even without the tunnel tour, it’s a worthwhile stop — and next time, we’re booking ahead!

We just finished the tour with Barney and Maddie and had the best time. Barney was really engaging, had heaps of energy and was clearly passionate about Amherst and history in general. He had the kids up as volunteers, and kept them involved the whole time. The caves themselves are really interesting and I’d definitely consider doing the tour again! Thanks for a really great 2 hours.

Had the tour of the tunnels this morning, Saturday Steve was our guide and we had a full on two hour experience but the time flew. Fascinating we see the various uses the Fort had over the years a very interesting insight and then of course after the tour ends still the full external spaces to explore and finishing with the best view in the Medway towns at the highest point of the fort. Well worth a visit and even if you don't fancy the tour you will have access to the rest of the site for free. If you are into history then tour is well worth it.

Well worth doing the tunnel tour which is around 2 hours. Full of information including how the tunnels were used in world war 2. Suggest a wander round the grounds before or after the tour to enjoy the views.

We went on the tunnel tour on Tuesday afternoon and I must say that it was very good. Tom our tour guide was very good and really knew his stuff, he was funny and full of interesting facts, he managed to keep my two boys interested the whole time. I would recommend this tour to anyone.

Went on a tunnel tour this morning. Very enjoyable and informative, lots of interesting things to see and very knowledgeable guide (Tom). Had no idea there was so much hidden in the hillside, learnt a lot of history of the area too. Children on the tour enjoyed it too. Would definitely recommend.

We had a fantastic Sunday visit to Fort Amherst. Barney and Archie were excellent guides—informative, engaging and make a great team. Barney clearly has a deep love for the fort and its history, and his passion shines through in the fascinating stories he shares. The tour was not only educational but also thoroughly entertaining. A brilliant experience and highly recommended for anyone visiting Chatham—don’t miss it!

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.

Had never heard of this museum until I did a Google search. Amazing building that houses the museum and really nicely kept. Lots to read and look at with a lot of history about the regiment and all it's campaigns. The museum is laid out well with easy access and good signage. There is a small cafe with a good choice of food and drinks and a gift shop with a selection of gifts. Well worth a visit but probably not for younger children as there is alot of reading to do.

What a great museum, especially for families. There is so much to look at, try on. I particularly like that it’s never too busy so you can enjoy it at your own pace. It also has a nice and quiet cafe area upstairs.

A fantastic experience! The Royal Engineers Museum in Medway is incredibly informative and well laid out, with each exhibit beautifully decorated and packed with fascinating history. The staff were exceptionally polite, knowledgeable, and helpful throughout our visit—they really added to the experience. We were especially impressed with the value for money, as the annual pass means you can return as many times as you like. Highly recommended for anyone interested in military history or just looking for a well-curated day out!

Omgoodness! Amazing. My hubby is a veteran RE and we took a trip while en route to visit family. If your a veteran and was a Sapper or just into military history, it's worth a trip..cafe upstairs. If your a RE Veteran it's free to get in!

This museum was amazing. It was lovely to learn about some of those who have served our country and how they have preserved military integrity and history. The museum has so much to see, and so much to learn. There are a fair few interactive exhibits which heightened the educational experience. Tickets are valid for a full year from purchase which is lovely. The museum is a beautiful tribute to those who have fought for the Engineers over time. I absolutely loved it, as did my husband. I have lots of family members who have served and are serving in the forces and I felt I was able to understand more about their working life and how important our army is. All staff members were incredibly friendly and I felt very welcome. It took us a couple of hours of browsing to get round the museum. This is a beautiful place, and I loved my time here. An exhibit I particularly enjoyed was the room with all the VC, GC and MC medals. The whole museum was clean, tidy, and efficiently run. It was a privilege to have been able to visit.

Excellent museum, loads of vehicles and equipment.

This is a museum that we return to again and again, our grandsons get a lot out of this place. History from Napoleonic times to modern day. Trails and exhibits that are put together well. They are doing WW2 next term and this is a great place with staff who are very knowledgeable and encourage people to take photos and immerse themselves in the exhibits. I would recommend this for a half day visit.

Archie the mouse was a well crafted children's pantomime, performed interactively with the little lad and about 20 others watching dearly. The building is located just across the street from the pentagon. Well looked after by staff before and after the show.

This building is the old Chatham town hall and as such wasn't built as a theatre,the first 5 rows are on the level but after that they are raised with quite a steep climb.There is a bar to purchase drinks and is open at the interval .We enjoyed the show,the sound and lighting was ok .

Formerly Chatham Town Hall, The Brook Theatre is a hive of entertainment, activity and learning. The Brook Theatre is situated in Chatham's Old Town Hall, a thriving arts centre where you can explore theatre, dance classes, gallery exhibitions and arts workshops. The 400-seat auditorium offers professional theatre, community productions, jazz and folk evenings, a children's Christmas show and Medway Comedy Club, while the regular Studio Showcase evenings offer a more intimate theatre experience. The Brook Theatre can easily be reach via the M2/A2. Follow the Chatham town centre signs from any junction. Chatham town centre is well served by public transport near Chatham Bus Terminal

The Brook theatre is a very old building with beautiful decor. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The actual theatre bit my friend and I sat in was spacious and warm. The theatre is disabled friendly with a lift and ramps. There are toilets and also a bar. All in all, the theatre is a lovely place to visit. You can also support them if you so desire.

The Brooks Theatre in Chatham is an absolute gem that deserves every bit of praise. What sets it apart is its remarkable, old-world charm and astonishing architecture. The moment you step inside, you're transported back in time, and it's truly a magical experience. The architecture of The Brooks Theatre is nothing short of breathtaking. The intricate details, the grandeur of the design, and the historical significance make it a true masterpiece. Every corner of this theatre exudes a sense of elegance and sophistication that's hard to find in modern venues. Attending a performance at The Brooks Theatre feels like a journey through history, and it's a testament to the timeless beauty of well-preserved architecture. I wholeheartedly give it a well-deserved 5-star rating, as it not only provides excellent entertainment but also a rich cultural experience.

This is a wonderful place. A lovely old fashioned building, first opened in 1900 and still going strong. It was once the Town hall but now it's a really well run Arts Centre. Any night of the week you will find it full of actors and singers rehearsing. The Brook also hosts performances, anything from Comedians to Musical acts. Don't miss out find out what's going on and attend. You won't regret it.

A nice theatre converted from the old town hall. As this is an old building the accessibility is rather tight in places. Backstage changing rooms are not accessible and the stage is rather limited in capacity. Do not expect huge shows with massive scene changes however the sound and lighting is good. The auditorium space can easily be adapt to a big open space suited for ballroom dancing and other events. I look forward to seeing what the forthcoming refurbishment and modernisation works in 2023 have to offer.

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.

Rochester Castle.... 20th August 2025... This wasn't a planned visit, but we were really glad we did. As you entered there was a small gift shop where you purchesed tickets. They were £9.50 per adult, and this included an audio tour guide, we chose to look around ourselves, however after having visited, its probably worth taking the audio for more indepth knowledge. In our opinion, its worth the money and a visit. As you walk around there are information boards located in different areas, with a brief description and scent boxes to smell. The staircases could be tricky for some, though there is a handrail, the steps are original, so uneven and plenty of them. They had a Jester on the day, who carried out a great magic card trick for us, so they obviously have bits on to entertain the kids in the school holidays. The grounds around the castle are free to enter and spotless. There were lots of people sitting and having something to eat, playing or just chatting. There was also a small kiosk in the grounds by one of the entrances that sold drinks and ice creams/lollies etc.. We also noticed there was parking. It's also a short 10min walk from the train station and right by the wonderful Cathedral and high street with some fantastic shops, pubs and restaurants. Overall a great day out.

We had a lovely day out here. In short, we felt Diggerland was generally pretty good value for money. Firstly - we had missed any information telling us that a couple of attractions wanted actual cash. The cafe will do exchange cash to a point but has a charge. Don’t forget to take some pound coins! The only other head’s up we had was to read the age restrictions on rides clearly. We queued a few times for rides having misunderstood the age requirements and our younger boys weren’t too impressed 😅 Other than this we had a great day. Parking was plentiful, reception was clean and welcoming with a helpful assistant to check our tickets and tell us where to go. The digger area itself was pretty busy, but it was clean and easy to navigate and queues weren’t too crazy for individual attractions within the park. We rode the bumper cars a few times (you need tokens from the gift shop, so get these as you enter). We excavated some bricks from the trenches, we rode bobcats and all sorts. The cafe was solid, tables weren’t cleared very pro-actively but we asked somebody to help us out and they did straight away. Food isn’t cheap but it was pretty good quality and very generous servings so overall good value for money.

OMG this place is AMAZING!!! I can’t believe I waited this long to go! I feel I have been missing out all these years. Honestly this is such a fun concept that I cannot tell whether I was having more fun than my kids. The place really does cater for all ages. As you can imagine, the park is mostly involving attractions with diggers, but the variety of activities is well thought out. They even let your kid drive a 4x4 car if they are above 1.4m😱. I cannot recommend enough this place. I am already counting the days until my next visit.

It's great idea, but needs a lot of attention. Lot of machines are tatty with bits missing, and generally looking uncared for. No tracked vehicles to drive, only one digger - no idea why not more as there's the track for them. Staff unfailingly polite and helpful. Good indoor play area for youngsters. Cafe good too, and sensible prices. OAP discount excellent idea.

A reasonably fun place to take the kids, Doubt we would return though and would probably recommend avoiding to most parents. If you turn up on the day there is a 46% surcharge to catch you didn’t pre pay, it has vibes of flying with Ryan air. Then you walk straight into rides which require extra payment, so you have to negotiate with your kids. I come to this sort of place to have a nice time, not deal with tokens and pound coins all afternoon. A fun touch was they ask you not to walk with muddy shoes through the gift shop, instead I suggest they let us escape without being forced through your shop. The young staff were nice though.

Fantastic place for the kids! Omg wow, so much to do and see for the kids. Under 1m is free which is amazing although they then aren't tall enough to do some rides. Spread out, easy to manoeuvre with a buggy, clean and tidy. Staff were very friendly. The kids were disappointed the ice cream truck had shut because of the rain ;( Also, last comment - I think an adults ticket costs too much. For the 5 of us, the price would put me off returning.

What a fantastic day out! Initially thought the ticket 🎟 price was steep! Still don't understand why there's not a child price? Cannot believe we waited so long to visit here! Can't wait to go back. Very unique & fun day 😀

Our three year old great nephew's favourite place. All the 'big boys' - dad, grandad and uncles loved it too. Great fun for all ages - and genders, plenty of places for a picnic and a variety of diggers to have fun on. Very knowledgeable, competent and helpful staff. Cannot recommend highly enough.

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.

Nice cathedral. Lovely painted organ. Cafe in the crypt. Parking nearby. Well worth a visit.

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.

A compact but atmospheric site, Upnor Castle is a must for anyone interested in naval history, especially the dramatic Dutch raid that reshaped English coastal defences.

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.

Had a Brilliant night, the group we see was really good. Its not a big theatre, they have had new seats put in what look. Nice but if you are on the larger side the seats are abit Squished.

Nice little theatre. Saw a great version of Charlie and the chocolate factory during Easter. They seemed to have a bit of trouble with the sound the day we went but was a great production and we loved it. Theatre is nice and the staff are welcoming and very friendly.

Very nice theatre, we really enjoyed the country music show we saw there. It is quite small if comparing with stadium venues and there are toilets on the upper levels. Bar quite pricey. Still good for a night out!

Wouldn’t usually leave a bad review over ice cream… Bought a mint choc chip for my daughter (her go-to flavour everywhere). Two spoonfuls in, she pulled a face and declared it “dotty” — and refused to eat it. I tried it myself and can confirm: it was like eating minty gravel. Easily the worst ice cream I’ve ever had, and I’ve done my fair share of ice cream “research.” When I raised it with staff, I was told to wait for the manager after the show. Manager’s response? Essentially: tough luck, it’s just your opinion, go complain somewhere else. So here I am, complaining somewhere else. The Lemon Ice was nice.

Went to children’s show today, (21/6/25) dreading it as it was so hot outside but was so grateful to find they had air conditioning. Such a pleasant experience. Really appreciated it. Friendly staff and the show was good fun too

Reasonably priced. Leg room ok but avoid the front row of the balcony. Sound is good. I do wish they would open the doors a bit earlier as a popular show can have a long queue to get in.

Attending various performances last 3 years lived in area 30 years found this fabulous venue auditorim bit cold atmousphere staff great last 2 Saturdays been to drag to 80s and country giants last night fantastic performances come again ❤️

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

Admission is £7, a 20% English Heritage discount is available and the concessionary admission is £5. I think the house doesn't offer quite enough to justify charging £7 for entry, that's £14 for a couple! Bear in mind that you can breeze through it in 20-30 minutes. Drop the price to £3.50-£4 a head and that's reasonable. I will say that the house is kept in stunning condition and the Lottery Heritage Fund's cash infusion has worked wonders. The original blue-grey painted walls are featured in all their splendour. I also enjoyed the yellow ochre colour in one of the rooms, again an original paint colour. Many original Tudor features remain, in particular a considerable number of fireplaces/hearths with Tudor brickwork. I felt the information displays were of good spec and quality with good design, fonts and colours for readability and legibility, but the overall direction of the displays and signage could have been more concise and focused on interesting and salient points. I personally found the Tudor history the most interesting and the Victorian (& later) stuff was less important, in my opinion. Of course the Dickens links are excellent and well worth mentioning, but an entire room for him? (also the slightly uncanny, creepy and disheveled Dickens model needs to go, it doesn't exactly invite someone to want to stay in that space for long!). Keep the room furnished as it would have been in the Tudor period. Dickens only took cursory inspiration from the building and nothing more. I also found the murder mystery room a bit of a nonstarter. They could have elaborated more about the Tudor Royal Chatham Dockyard and Sir Peter Buck's role in the bigger picture of the area's naval heritage, but I felt the building's post-Tudor/Jacobean history was crowding it out. If the museum rebalances its exhibits it could help lift the quality of the experience. Introducing audio guides are a brilliant way of unlocking a historical place and allowing someone to look and listen simultaneously - something well worth considering here. Dickens's Grade I listed Chalet: Besides the house itself, in the garden can be found Charles Dickens's quirky chalet, where he spent time writing at his home in Gad's Hill, Higham. He spent time writing in the chalet the day before his death on June 9th, 1870. It originally stood in a part of his garden called 'The Wilderness'. He arranged the building so that the second floor gave him a view of the River Thames. To avoid the busy and muddy road he had to cross to reach it, Dickens constructed a tunnel to go underneath the road. The tunnel still exists today. The chalet was later moved to Cobham and then finally to Eastgate Gardens in 1960. I think it should ideally remain at Gad's Hill in its original location, but to my understanding Dickens's former home (Gad's Hill Place) is now privately owned as a school, but open to tours on select dates. Plans are now underway to make essential repairs to the chalet. At present it is unsafe to go inside but it is hoped that in the future it can be opened for visitors.

"Hidden Gem" Temple Manor is a Grade I Listed building situated within an industrial estate opposite Rochester Castle, across the river. If you're planning to visit the castle, it would be a great idea to explore the manor as well. Please note that it is NOT open every day, so make sure to CHECK BEFORE YOUR VISIT. Typically, it is open during school holiday periods, such as Easter and half-term breaks. There is limited parking available, but you'll find a Morrison's nearby, just a short walk away.

We loved it but wish it was open more often and a little bit better looked after. Who knew Strood had such a fascinating history and such a place of historical importance in it's own right? The Manor is worth the visit if you love local history - but lots more could be done with it. You might drive past and not even realise it's there...nestled in between businesses on the industrial estate, we actually drove past then turned back! The grounds leave a lot to be desired - I mean it's mown grass and a few picnic tables round the back but no flower beds or path ways. You park on the grass in front of the Manor, not many cars would fit there and I dread to think what a rainy day would be like! The ladies today that were on hand were very lovely, friendly and helpful. Free entry to the Manor, there's a kids trail to follow - without which there's not lots there to get their interest unless you include various boards of info to read and a krypton factor style jigsaw map of Strood to construct which, although it could do with a clean, was surprisingly fun to do. So glad we finally got to visit - you really have to dig through the internet to find out when it's open to the public because the Google page is obviously not updated (it said it was closed today!). We found it on the Medway council site.

Open on rare days through the year. Interesting facts scattered around on information boards. This place is tucked away on an industrial estate! Look for the green fencing for the car park entrance.

Fantasic free bit of history to visit, combine it with something else as its only a 30 minute attraction, but very interesting.

Such a beautiful little site - grate history and recommend visiting if your in the area

Very interesting. The council could do so much more.

Restored I believe in the 1950s, interesting place to look around. You wont spend more than half hour here.

Let's start with the negatives. The place needs:- 1. More toilets. 2. The car park to the rear to be reopened. 3. More signage so passers by know it's there. You can tell the owner was very aware of this as he stood in the alleyway waiting for lost patrons like ourselves. On the positive side, the staff were lovely and friendly. We had a blast. I hope the theatre carries on and there are plenty of productions for 2025, although I couldn't see any being promoted.

Was an awesome show some great young actors/actresses! 'Mort' was brilliant, got a dry throat with the dry ice though! But I do like the smell! Made it all the more eerie!!

Spotlites is an absolutely wonderful local business with friendly and knowledgeable staff. Such a variety of sessions available for all ages, and they host some incredible shows throughout the year too! 100% recommend as an activity or even if you're just looking for a show to watch locally

A fun and safe place for children, teens and adults to develop their skills in theatre, dance and singing as well as gain confidence and social skills. The shows are also so lovely to come and watch. Highly recommended!!!!

My child has been coming to spotlites for a number of years now and she has thrived. The teachers there really know how to bring to best out in my daughter. We have seen a number of shows over the years and they always well put together and the staff make you feel at home. Spotlites is definitely a hidden gem!

As a youth theatre attender myself, I can say that joining spotlites was the best choice I ever made. I find it so easy to talk to everyone there even though I have social anxiety myself. I love doing the shows and even though it’s a lot of work, I enjoy every bit of it. Definitely LBGTQ+ friendly and you can be whoever you want to be! I love it so much and would recommend it to everyone. Thank you so much spotlites

As a Drama teacher myself, I would definitely recommend Spotlites for any child interested in theatre. This is a great place for kids to develop their confidence and creativity, and it is run by people with a real passion for performance.

So a couple of things, there are no lights on the stairs to your seats. This was dangerous because was so dark in the cinema room. Also, the screen I went into was small. Not as big as other cinemas. But this may be different on other screens. The popcorn had a lot of hard balls in it. This was a standard film ticket so hopefully, next time I try a different screen will be a much better experience

An amazing cinema with lots of screens. The IMAX is absolutely incredible. Comfortable seats. The cinema is clean and tidy. Good selection of cinema snacks/food available. Well worth a visit.

Staff are very friendly and supportive. Had a great experience. My grandson was made to feel special, he was a very happy little boy.

Awful customer service, standing watching 5 members of staff trying to organise nachos. Having to wait 10 minutes for 2 small popcorn The prices for the seats are not worth it Unlike odeon Maidstone these seats have no tables do not recline and are amount the most uncomfortable seating I have experienced in a cinema I highly recommend giving this cinema a miss

Good Atmosphere but the chairs were not comfortable at all especially with the leg room. This was confirmed by some else. Ending on a good note, the chairs were well labelled that you didn't need to squint in the dark too find your chair. Edit: They do have reclining chairs in at some of the screens. When you get there, don't try to operate the recline without light for the first time or you will end up watching the whole movie in an awkward position. Use your phone lights to look at the buttons as there are four buttons and trying to figure out what is what in the dark was a pain.

Clean and the seating looks new. We went to see a horror film and the spotlights were on the whole way though the film which made it really hard to see the darker scenes in the film as the room was effectively still lit.

We spent just over £50 on tickets and food and when we went and sat down in the theatre there were at least two mice running around us. I informed a staff member and the manager came in, shining his torch around as if he was going to find and catch them with his bare hands. He then picked up a mouse trap with his bare hands and put it under the seats at the end of our row where we told him we had last seen one of the mice. I mean, at least he did something, but the fact that there isn't anything at all in place for that kind of situation, when I was told they'd had a visit from a pest team that day, struck me as odd. Not even an offer of a refund for the price of tickets if we wanted to leave, so we stayed in our uncomfortable premium seats, watched the movie and didn't eat the things that didn't come pre packaged because I don't trust the hygiene standards of the place anymore. I usually love Odeon cinema's, but we definitely won't be returning to this location.

It’s a good play area for kids, and the price is good for 2 and a half hours. Most places charge similar price for an hour, which isn’t enough. The play area has many things from slides to a pitball area to a shootout for big kids and a play area for babies to toddlers - all kid ages covered. Food: Their orange juice is definitely not nice, it’s just a bit of orange juice mixed with lots of water. Their chips was cold but the fish finger was warm BUT, it was over cooked - now that chewable for 2 year old. For the price you pay, it’s not worth it. You only get a small portion of chips, a tiny bit of salad and 1 piece of fish finger.

I like to get there at 9.30 so it is quieter and also the car park gets very busy. Kids always enjoy themselves. The food is very dissapointing, you wait a long time for it and its cold when it arrives. The baby area could be supervised better as it states under 4s only but there always older and bigger kids running riot and knocking the babies over. But overall good value for money.

Today I need give 4 stars .today was our double party which went really well until show up our ordered mascots nothing went wrong the guy and girl did well just they didn’t feel confident at all in them role. I think if they want charge £35 for mascot of 15min they should choose someone who can do actor role and feel confident with kids to make them happy. Overal the decorations was done really good 😊 we had music 🎵 which kids enjoyed. Food was great and the member stuff who was organising our party was really great she listened my request and tried to do all to fill up my wish for what I can say big Thank you. Customer service great girls really helpful and friendly.

Extremely disappointed yesterday was turned back from monkey bizz as they stated they were too many people there however it was not full at all genuinely the emptiest I've seen it my 4 year old ended up crying and the old lady at the desk had a smerk on her face as she stated you should of booked it then... found them Extremely rude and both ladies at the desk have no peoples skills and tbh shouldn't be at the desk you can tell they don't like there Jobs and don't do it with passion. Not a very nice experience for me nor my 4 year old who was turned away very upset.

Took my kids here for the friends birthday party and it was great a guy dressed up as superman gave a bit of cake to evryone and the playground was great but some kids apparently fell of a long big climbing thing but idk.

This is certainly better run and organised than some of the competition I've took my granddaughter to. The little toy town is great too. The staff actually do watch what's going on and they have a tannoy which they use when needed. The little cafe is ok too... I would definitely bring our little one back here again.

Monkey Bizz is a wonderful place for birthday parties! Frankie, breeze and Holly & especially Sharleen were amazing for my daughters birthday 🥳 Thank you all

We did tobogganing and really enjoyed it. Will definitely be coming again

Lovely park with children's playground area, plenty of seating and well maintained grounds. Cafe, toilets, nature trails with bug hotels and carp park. Dog friendly, parking. Ranger says Fishing lake contains Tench, Roach, Perch and Pike with a small number of single figure carp. day ticket is £13.40 for adults and £7.90 for Juniors (under 16) and concessions. You need to go to the visitor centre to purchase your ticket and show your current Rod licence.

A lovely place to visit. Play area for younger children and nice pond to walk round. Duck feed available to purchase in the coffee shop. Woodland walks

Took the grandkids out for the afternoon, £2-50 parking for the day. Lovely cafe , great service. Lots for the kids to do including a park area and a brilliant information office. Highly recommended for a day out with the family.

It's a beautiful place for a walk with the dog, or if you don't have a dog it's still a lovely place to go. The lake at this time of year is full of wildlife so plenty of photos to take if your interested in that. They have a café, benches all around the lake to sit on and take in the view's. It's one of the cleanest places I've seen, and is well kept, & thought out. Well worth a visit.

Great place to walk. Lots of trails you can follow. Accessibility for wheelchairs, bikes and buggies. Lots of wildlife seen on our walk. The reason for 4 stars is there were lots of dog poo 💩

Now they charge for parking you would think the place would get better. But no, took the grandchildren today to find equipment not working and dirty. Rubbish in the play area and alone some of the walks. The speed bump on the way our is far too high and hit the bottom of the car. Wont be going back anytime soon.

HMS Ocelot Submarine at Chatham Dockyard Visiting the HMS Ocelot was like stepping into a secret world beneath the sea. As the last Royal Navy submarine built at Chatham Dockyard, she carries an incredible history and Cold War legacy. The tour through the narrow corridors and control rooms gives a real sense of the cramped but high-tech environment submariners lived in. From the torpedo room to the captain’s quarters, every inch is packed with fascinating details and original equipment. The audio guide and interactive exhibits made it easy to imagine life on board — from how the crew slept in bunks next to missiles to how stealth missions were carried out beneath the waves. The guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to answer even the nerdiest questions! The submarine itself is impressively well-preserved, and walking through its tight spaces adds a physical appreciation of the challenges submariners faced. ✅ Highlights: Authentic Cold War atmosphere Engaging and educational Great for families, history buffs, and tech lovers Located in the historic Chatham Dockyard — worth spending a day there! ⚠️ Note: Not ideal for those with claustrophobia or limited mobility ⭐ Overall: 9/10 A brilliant piece of naval history, preserved with care and passion. Highly recommended for anyone interested in submarines, engineering.

This was interesting and fun. Very pertinent to modern time with submarines lurking in our waters. You need to be on time for the safety briefing! Also you need to be fairly fit to get through the hatches. Our guide was cheerful and informative. Our party was a 6 and 8 year old and a 73 and 78 year old. We all though it was great. 😊😊😊😊

This submarine is located at chatem docks. This is where, call the midwife tour of the tv show is based.it is a great place to visit not only the tour,has the docks have loads to see,we were there for 5 hours and had a great time

One of the last submarines to be built at Chatham Dockyard. Very little is known about her active service as those details are still classified. Tours inside are included with an entry ticket to Chatham Dockyard, but you must book a timed entry. As you might expect, it is very small once inside, and you need to be able to fit through some tight hatches.

Fascinating visit to the vessel with interesting facts and friendly guides. You can look through the periscope and see where the torpedoes were stored. Challenging walk through but very recommended. Don't forget to walk under the vessel, too!

I always wanted to see inside a submarine. This experience was amazing. It's like crazy thinking to live inside a similar box with several other people for months. You can't see anything else around you (like sky or fish). How can you live in similar conditions? This experience gives you just a glimpse of this. But it's great because you can pass through all the rooms, through these circular openings...and these millions of valves, buttons...it's really shocking. If you come to visit Chatham dock yards, you must see this.

Love it, we join every year. Having worked there it makes it more poignant to visit. Good exhibits and good food. Great for children and adults

A really nice presentation of the evolution of RNLI lifeboats. An elevated platform run all through the display giving you a surprisingly improved view as it guides you through the display.

A collection of different lifeboats and other RNLI objects from the last 200 years. Note that this is a permanent exhibition, but there is also a temporary exhibition in another building which celebrates the 200 year anniversary of the RNLI. (The temporary exhibition runs to Sep 1st). Access is included with an entry ticket to Chatham Dockyard. If booked online in advance, this costs £28.50 and includes unlimited vists for one year. It isn't possible to see all the attractions at the dockyard in one day, so plan two days for your visit if possible.

We enjoy going round here, but you need to do a few visits. The tickets last a year, plus if you was in the forces, you can get a bit of a discount

Absolutely Stunning! Don't need to be an enthusiast, the history and explanation of each vessel (There are very many) is stunning and quite humbling. If capable try going to the very top of the shed, to look over the complete display and get a feel of what a ship building shed was like was an experience....quite a few steps but worth it. One of the highlights of the day for me and I am not an enthusiast! Great day out.

One of the many attractions at at the Historic Dockyard Chatham is the RNLI Lifeboat museum, containing a collection of boats used in the 200 year history of the RNLI. This collection contains the earliest boats which were oar and/or sail powered, up to modern inshore and deep water lifeboats. There is also a history of each boat in the collection and other artefacts, including how life boats were launched from man - and women power - tractors and even horses. Ramps make most of the site accessible for wheelchair users, though some of the lifeboats do have steps to view inside or get on board boats. In addition for 2024, there is a separate exhibition commemorating the 200 anniversary of the founding of the RNLI with a modern lifeboat inside in one of the exhibition spaces within a building opposite the museum. The exhibition is located beside Number 3 covered slip way and clearly visible when entering the dockyard from the entrance.

Great collection of RNLI rescue boats. Love it how the museum evolves, have a little corner for kids with interactive game and now there are more experience places - rowing, dingy, etc. and so many historical facts!

The Historic Dock yard has a lot to see and do. Two ships from differet periods of time to go on, and an submarine. If you pay a bit extra the (Call the Midwife tour) which is filmed here. Make sure you book the submarine as it gets fully book quite early.

Excellent educational for all a big part of our heritage well worth a visit all ages

Fantastic exhibitions on heroic women. Really enjoyed learning about the history of such an important part of the country. The whole Smithery was very nicely laid out.

Very interesting place with lots to take in.

Houses a great exhibition of model shops (the national collection of model shops in fact). Also contains an exhibition/gallery space that features changing shows.

Really good and interesting exhibits.

Great place for all ages, lots of different events throughout the year.

Good place to visit and take the kids a day is not enough

Crammed with exhibits in some fantastic modern looking cabinets gives a real wow factor as you go into the tunnels 😊 it’s all really good value for money, even the refreshments so I paid a little more to help their cause 😊

Can't really leave much of a review. The website says it's open. But after standing in the pouring rain for a while pushing the code number, we left. It should be renamed Fort Knox. Something is obviously wrong. I await a response so I can visit and leave a proper review.

Eclectic mix of wartime exhibits in the well maintained museum tunnels.

Had an awesome time here, the kids enjoyed the open space and tunnels the staff where all so nice 👍🏼 Couldn’t fault anything about the trip out

Great place to visit, good exhibition of war items, good cafe and bar selling a small variety of drinks and food, good value for money, nice children's play area, well kept, clean and tidy, nice large fish pond! Large car park definitely a place to go at weekends for about 1/2 hours, check opening times on website as not open every weekend.

I've never been here but Google keeps asking me to review it because I use the field next to it a lot. On a couple of occasions I have spoken to people working there and they were nice people so 5/5.

Had great time learnt plenty great family day out

Majical; the last of the Royal Navy roperies and it's a lovely thing to see and to know it still operates commercially. Be sure you book you time slot as you enter the historical dockyard as entry is not permitted without.

A stunning building over 400 years old with a ropewalk a quarter of a mile long! I would recommend attending both the Ropery Experience where you get up close and personal rope making as it would have been in the age of sail, and the Ropemaking in Action demonstration where the master ropemakers show you how rope is made on a large scale!

The forms part of the the Historic Dockyard and will need to by a ticket to explore this location and the other fantastic attractions on site. The Ropery is an absolutely amazing building and still in use today. It's I believe one of the longest continuos buildings in Europe I believe (from one of the information plaques I read). It takes a good 10 minutes to walk from one end to the other inside but well worth it. On you're way back in one of the buildings opposite the Ropery you can watch Master Rope makers at work. They are friendly and will answerany of your questions you have.

This fascinating place is located inside the historic dockyard Chatham. There is a machine that was built over 200 years ago to make the rope and it’s still in use today. You can watch the workers making rope and they will always have the time to talk to everyone including the children. It’s one of the longest industrial buildings in the uk around a quarter of a mile long and you can walk the whole length even in operation. Absolutely worth a visit. You have to buy a yearly pass for the historic dockyard to visit the ropery. Armed forces, English heritage and blue light card holders get a good discount. It costs around £25 for a yearly pass but you can visit unlimited all year round.

Very interesting, good to see it still as a business today...

One of the highlights of a recent visit to the docks. You have to see it for yourself