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From Paris to Rome, London to Cairo, the great cities of the world are built around a river. A river that is the very heart and soul of the City. Rochester too has its own lifeblood – the magnificent Medway. It meanders through the City linking Rochester, Chatham and Strood, which together form the City of Rochester upon Medway.
In the 2,000 years it was first fortified by the Romans, Rochester has experienced a great deal, and at times has been inextricably linked with the history of England. With its unique position on the banks of the Medway and “Watling Street” =, the Roman road that ran from London to Dover, Rochester was the perfect site to create a fortification, which the Romans did and named it Durobrivae meaning “the stronghold by the bridge”.
It was the Normans however who made a lasting impact on the City. Although Rochester Cathedral was originally founded in 604 by Bishop Justus and is England’s second oldest Cathedral, it wasn’t until after the Norman invasion that it was rebuilt by Bishop Gundulf, a favourite architect of William the Conqueror. The Cathedral crypt is considered by many historians to be the finest in England and features and altar of Ithamar, the first English Bishop.
Rochester Castle too is a testament to the innovation and longevity of Norman design. It still towers above the City as it has done for nearly nine centuries. At 113 feet high, 70 feet square with 11 – 13 feet thick walls, its impressive Keep is the tallest in England. One famous moment came in 1215 when it was seized by rebel Barons. King John besieged the castle for two months before the corner of the keep was brought down by the King’s forces who undermined it prior to setting fire to the pit props with fat from 40 pigs!
Further along the river at Chatham, another piece of history was to take place over 300 years later when work began on what was to become England’s premier naval ship building dockyard. The Chatham Dockyard built such fine ships as HMS Raisonable, Nelson’s first ship, and of course HMS Victory which was triumphant at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. It was here also on the Medway that Sir Francis Drake grew up and learned his seamanship. Today, the Historic Dockyard is now a living, working and award winning museum – with seven outstanding visitor galleries bringing to life the history of Britain’s “Hearts of Oak”.
Although there are many famous people associated with Rochester upon Medway, none is more celebrated than Charles Dickens, arguably England’s greatest novelist. Dickens moved to Kent when he was five years old and spent the happiest years of his childhood around Chatham and the last 12 years at Gad’s Hill, near Rochester. His great affection for Kent and the Rochester area in particular is revealed in his novels. “Great Expectations” immortalised many Rochester landmarks including Restoration House and the Guildhall, while “the Pickwick Papers” refers to the Castle, Cathedral and Eastgate House. Today, the Dickens Centre and Dickens Festivals will take you back to the Victorian Rochester that he loved.
Whether you’re on a day trip or a week’s vacation, you will find Rochester upon Medway is easy to get to by road, rail and sea. From tiny village hamlets to ancient churches, scenic countryside to historic buildings, with 2000 years of tradition, Rochester upon Medway is truly the “City of Great Expectations”.
Today, Rochester offers a rich tapestry of architectural styles together with a wonderful array of cafés; old world pubs, antique market and attractive shops. A gentle stroll along the High Street with its gas lamp columns takes you back to Victorian times. A time when Charles Dickens drew his inspiration from this wonderful City.
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