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Lying at the mouth of the
River Medway, Rochester is a mixture of
fascination and history. Evidence of Roman
domination comes in the shape of Watling Street
which crosses the river at this point.
The city’s
defences were later strengthened by the Saxons
while the Normans felt it was so important they
built Rochester Castle (only the keep remains
today). The original cathedral was founded by
Ethelbert, King of Kent, in 604 and consecrated by
St Augustine. The present, impressive building was
rebuilt by Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester, in the
11th
century.
In later life writer Charles
Dickens moved into a house at Gad’s Hill. Devotees
of his work should head for the city’s Charles
Dickens centre to learn more. The city features in
his last novel, ‘Mystery of Edwin Drood’, and was
Pip’s home in ‘Great Expectations’. Henry VIII
founded the public school King’s School and the
location of Britain’s first borstal is south west
of the town. |
Rochester Castle - Kent
Tourism Alliance |
