THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Rochester
Things to Do in Rochester
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Rochester Cathedral, Rochester Castle, Walking Tours, Historic Sites. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Rochester Cathedral, Rochester Castle, Walking Tours, Historic Sites. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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- fromper adultC$188
Day Tripsfromper group (up to 7)C$1,614
Private Sightseeing Toursfromper group (up to 3)C$2,051- fromper adultC$131
Private and Luxuryfromper group (up to 8)C$1,889
Port Transfersfromper group (up to 7)C$1,614
TV Toursfromper adultC$76
Day Tripsfromper adultC$179
Half-day Toursfromper adultC$162
Day Tripsfromper adultC$188
Architectural Buildings
Architectural Buildings
Speciality Museums
Interactive museum featuring historical exhibits, the Hulks Experience, a Dickens-themed mini theatre, and insights into local landmarks.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Historic Sites
Playgrounds
Indoor play center with ball pits, inflatables, and party rooms equipped with disco lights and Bluetooth music, providing a lively atmosphere for children's celebrations.
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Historic Sites
Historic townhouse with exhibits spanning several centuries, including a room dedicated to Charles Dickens and an ornamental Swiss Chalet in the garden.
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Game & Entertainment Centres
Board game cafe with a wide array of games and a cozy vibe. Includes card games, vegan-friendly food options, and original cocktails. Seasonal menu updates and a relaxed atmosphere.
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Other Top Attractions around Rochester
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- FarwriterLondon, UK174 contributionsA beautiful cathedral, one of the oldest in England. The Norman nave has a solidity and the later Lady Chapel an airy grace. The painted organ and choir stalls were stunning and I also enjoyed seeing the contrast of the surviving 12th century wall painting in the choir, and the modern triptych painting in the Lady Chapel by Scott Norwood Witts, which I loved. There is a peaceful garden at the back, with the ruined Chapter House wall towering above it, and a cafe in the Norman crypt, along with an interesting exhibition about the life of the monks who used to live there.Written February 6, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- FarwriterLondon, UK174 contributionsI'm so pleased I ignored a few reviews I'd seen complaining that the castle is an empty shell with nothing to see! It is SO brilliantly atmospheric, particularly on a blustery rainy January day when I had the place to myself. As a child I much preferred visiting ruined castles and was disappointed if we went to somewhere which was called "castle" but was actually a fully furnished stately home, so Rochester Castle was right up my street. The floors and ceilings in the main part of the castle are all gone so on entry I was greeted by the sight of the huge stone walls towering over me, all the way up to the battlements - stunning! I was amazed (and delighted) that people are allowed to go all the way up to the top, along some very dark passageways and over broken and uneven flooring and up many many spiral stairs. It is definitely not accessible if you have any mobility issues, but I was pleased that the experience was still so basic. (I mean that in a good way - it would have been awful if there had been bright electric lights in the corridors!) There are of course safety rails and some barriers, and wooden boards have been laid over some sections of the floor, but for the most part the visitor is just trusted to be careful.
I was offered an audio guide when I bought my ticket but I think the staff should really encourage everyone to take this - it wasn't obvious at first whether it was included or an extra cost. To be clear, it is included in the price and adds immeasurably to the experience - without it, I can see why some people might just think they are wandering around looking at stone walls, but the guide gives lots of background information, sets the scene and describes how the rooms would have looked, outlines the historical events of the time, and includes some audio clips from people involved in the excavation of the castle.
One minor gripe is that there could be clearer signage at the entrance - you have to go up a very big exterior staircase to get to the door and when I got to the top there was a sign on the outside of the door saying "Please buy your ticket before entry" so I went all the way back down the stairs and walked all the way round the grounds looking for a ticket office before going BACK up the exterior staircase and trying the door, only to find a shop and ticket desk inside! What is the point of that sign??Written February 6, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - FarwriterLondon, UK174 contributionsWonderful museum housed in the local Guildhall. A lot of the exhibits concern the river, which is unsurprising considering Rochester's position overlooking the Medway, so as well as an introductory gallery with some background and a small amount about the natural history of the area, there is another room full of model boats and other related exhibits, and information about notable events on the river. One half of the museum is given over to The Prison Hulk Experience, outlining the experience of prisoners who were held captive in old warships moored on the river in the 19th century. I thought this was brilliantly designed. It is spread over three floors and comprises the outside deck, the middle deck with prisoners sleeping in hammocks, and the bottom where the prisoners are seen carving the most amazingly intricate models and beautifully decorated boxes. The outside deck is really not a big room but is cleverly surrounded by mirrors to give the impression of a larger space, and the walls are painted with a seascape which reflects in the mirrors. The exhibit showing how a warship was converted into a prison ship is one of the best things I've ever seen in a museum!
The Guildhall room itself is impressive, and contains some cases of civic silverware, some replica crown jewels, and an old sedan chair. Downstairs there is a section about Rochester Castle, which I found interesting having just visited, and a section relating to Dickens, who lived locally. Again, this was very well designed, including a mock up theatre showing a video of an actor performing as Dickens, a replica Victorian shop front with some of his books and pamphlets in the window, and a mock-up of Dickens' study with various exhibits in glass bookcases and pictures on the walls - an effective way of displaying everything. One minor complaint is that in this area the lighting levels were at times SO low, it was impossible to see anything! I understand that this is necessary if displaying old paperwork, but in the "Dickens' Footsteps" section, there were only modern printed display boards on the walls and it was impossible to read these without using a torch.
But I loved it!Written February 6, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - 436FionaLondon, UK15 contributionsThe reality of this place is so much more than any photos can show. It’s an absolute gem. The astonishing art collection alone would be worth a visit, but the lovingly restored house- still the home of its rescuers- is breathtaking. The colours, textures, attention to detail… one visit is certainly not enoughWritten September 5, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JoFo74UKLondon, UK157 contributionsBeautiful, tranquil castle in lovely grounds with a great view. Very interesting attractions that tell the story of this Tudor castle and its role in various naval engagements over the past 400 years, especially the Raid on the Medway in 1667. Well-worth a visit and had a lovely sunny picnic in the well-kept grounds.Written August 20, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MaypetalAberdeen, UK18 contributionsThis is a really interesting place to visit right in the heart of town. Friendly informative host. Loved the gardenWritten October 28, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jamie-leeKent, UK18 contributionsOur first time at Jumpin fun and the kids really love it here. I have brought four children, ranging from 8 - 14 and it’s perfect for all of them! Cafe on top is like a viewing balcony. We will definitely come again!Written February 15, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- futtock21London, UK17,277 contributionsEastgate House is a late Elizabethan town house built in the 1590s for Sir Peter Buck Mayor of Medway and Clerk of the Cheque of the Chatham Naval Dockyard. For much of the 19th century it was a girls’ school. It featured in a number of Dickens’ novels. His Swiss chalet is in the adjoining garden. The house abounds with exhibits from every century of its occupation. A large room on the first floor, however, was out of bounds as taken over by a meeting of a local historic costume society.Written June 9, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- gail b2 contributionsVery interesting history . Great for school children. Well signed. Ticket lasts for a year. Fantastic dolls house. Easy to find in High street.Written May 26, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Robert FRainham, UK22 contributionsBeen going here for years and never been disappointed with the huge range of games and delicious food (cheeseburger quesadilla being my favourite with a banana milkshake or two). Two teenage girls love the place as a half term treat and we will definitely be back again.Written February 22, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- StuartBirmingham, UK1,389 contributionsGreat that they have a cycle route for this ... excellent for a quick jog and watching the sun come up over the medway !!Written October 18, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Irene T2 contributionswent here with my family, was a very lovely day out, making for a great picnic spot. Would recommend to anyone who's in Rochester to go and visit :)Written October 27, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information.
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