Rochester: The historic town with a castle and huge bookshop

Rochester is a historic town located on the River Medway in Kent and with its convenient travel links to south east London it makes for a great day out whatever the weather.

Rochester is accessible from south east London by train from Bromley South station, with a direct train to Rochester taking just 35 minutes. 

The town’s history dates back as early as Saxon times and was famously known for its historic castle first built in 1127 to guard the crossing over the River Medway.

Rochester Castle was first built in 1127 to guard the crossing over the River Medway. (Image: Glen Turner)

You can still visit the remains of the castle, managed by English Heritage, now and if you’re prepared to make the climb you can get great views of Rochester from atop the castle. ­

Located a short walk from the castle you’ll find Rochester Cathedral. First established in 604 AD, this cathedral is England’s second oldest cathedral.

First established in 604 AD, Rochester Cathedral is England’s second oldest cathedral. (Image: Glen Turner)

Here you’ll find stunning examples of Gothic architecture, along with a collection of artefacts dating back to the 8th century.

A visit to the cathedral is free if you want to simply browse, but if you fancy learning more about the cathedral’s history you can take a tour lasting for an hour, with tickets priced at £5.50 for an adult.

At the cathedral you’ll find stunning examples of Gothic architecture. (Image: Glen Turner)

Rochester is also famously known as being the childhood home of Charles Dickens, who based a lot of his works on his Kent home.

With its many cobbled streets, Victorian street lamps and old houses it’s easy to see why this town is still so closely associated with the writer.

Rochester even hosts an annual Dickens Christmas Fair in December, where the streets are packed with people dressed in Dickensian garb to celebrate the writer and his works.

Rochester’s Restoration House, an Elizabeth mansion dating back to 1454, served as a filming location for the 1989 film adaptation of Dickens’ Great Expectations.

If you fancy learning more about Dickens and his time in Rochester you can attend a free 90-minute walking tour hosted by The City of Rochester Society, held on certain days between April and October.

If you’re a bookworm be sure not to miss Baggins Book Bazaar, which is famously known as England’s largest bookshop, with a trove of hundreds of books in different genres to explore.

Baggins Book Bazaar is famously known as England’s largest bookshop with a trove of hundreds of books in different genres. (Image: Glen Turner)

The town is also known for its many quaint tea shops and restaurants like Peggotty’s Parlour, where you’ll find a selection of homemade cakes and great views of the cathedral across the street.

On Rochester’s high street you’ll find an array of shops selling everything from vintage sweets to homeware and gifts if you’re looking to do some shopping.

There you’ll find the Guildhall Museum. Dating back to 1687 this museum was featured in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

The Guildhall Museum was featured in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. (Image: Glen Turner)

Inside the museum you’ll find a recreation of an 18th century prison hulk that was once used to hold inmates on the River Medway, along with an exhibit where you’ll get to hear and see the sounds of what it was like when Rochester Castle was under siege in 1218.

The museum also now features an exhibition of Charles Dickens, where you can learn more about the writer’s life and the role Kent played in his writings, and be sure to check out the opulent grand staircase too.

If you visit the Eastgate end of the High Street you’ll find the famous Morley's Bakery. Not to be confused with the chicken shop, this bakery has been baking bread since 1908 and is one of the only bakeries in Kent where bread is baked on site.

Here you’ll find a selection of sweet and savoury treats, including their popular sausage rolls and doughnuts.