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.