Living amid the hustle and bustle of London has its advantages, one being the ease of escaping to other parts of the UK for a change of scenery.
Kent, with its rich history, is a popular choice for Londoners seeking a short break.
This charming county, which shares borders with the capital, boasts just one city – Canterbury, home to the historic Canterbury Cathedral. But it’s not just Canterbury that can boast the cathedral credential.
Rochester also has a cathedral and was considered a city until as recently as 1998. That year, due to an administrative oversight during the merger of Rochester-upon-Medway and Gillingham to form the unitary authority of Medway, Rochester lost its city status – a mistake that went unnoticed for four years.
Rochester’s history is reflected in its architecture
(Image: Getty Images)
Despite unsuccessful attempts by Medway Council to have all of Medway recognised as a city in 2000, 2002 and 2012, Rochester remains a must-visit for history enthusiasts. The town is home to the Rochester Cathedral, England’s second oldest cathedral, built around AD604.
This top attraction houses the Textus Roffensis, the only existing copy of the first code of English Law, and showcases an array of sculptures, paintings, and stained glass.
Rochester Castle, a shining example of Norman Romanesque architecture in the UK, proudly overlooks London Road from its position next to the River Medway. Inside the chapel, visitors can see a model of how the castle would have looked in the 14th century.
During the summer, the castle grounds host open-air theatre and cinema shows. Rochester’s High Street is always bustling with activity, boasting a range of shops, restaurants, museums, and art galleries.
It’s the country’s second oldest cathedral
(Image: No credit)
Situated amongst cobbled streets, this area provides easy access to both Rochester Castle and Rochester Cathedral, as well as museums like Eastgate House and the Guildhall Museum.
Travelling to and from Rochester is straightforward, with journey times similar to an average work commute.
Services run from Victoria, Kings Cross St Pancras, and London Bridge stations, all taking less than 40 minutes. From Victoria station, you can take a Southeastern train heading towards Dover Priory and get off at Rochester.
It’s impossible to escape Rochester’s long history
(Image: Gregory Warran)
Alternatively, from St Pancras and London Bridge, there’s a service towards Ramsgate which also stops at Rochester. If you’re driving, the journey is slightly longer at 1 hour and 8 minutes.
You can take the A13 and A2 from London directly to Rochester.
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