Inhabited since the Neolithic era and once settled by the Romans, history-saturated Rochester is full of major landmarks. Located roughly an hour east of London near the confluence of the River Thames and the Medway, the city’s highlight attractions include its castle (the very picture of medieval design, with its crenelated tower and stone fortifications) and its ancient cathedral. Charles Dickens also resided in the area and based many of his stories and works on Rochester. The Rochester Guildhall Museum includes additional information about the city’s history.
Rochester features on numerous day-trip itineraries from London, as well as castle-themed tours of Kent.
Upwards of 200 trains run daily between major London stations and Rochester, and most trips are under an hour. If traveling by car, Rochester can also be reached via the A2; most journeys take roughly 1.5 hours.
There’s never a bad time to visit Rochester. That said, the city’s twice-a-year Dickens Festival is a particularly festive time to visit. The event, which is typically held in June and December, offers a chance to celebrate the city’s unique literary heritage.
In addition to its Dickens festivals, Rochester also hosts other major events throughout the year. The Sweeps Festival, held in early May, includes Morris dancing, maypoles, and other traditional festivities, while the Castle Concerts series, held every summer at the Rochester Castle, welcomes prominent musicians to perform in the atmospheric surroundings.