Rochester is a town on the River Medway in Kent, England. It is at the lowest bridging point on the Medway, about 30 miles (50 km) from London.
Thursday, 9th February 2023
View across Castle Park in Rochester with part of Rochester Castle’s outer walls visible ahead. The ruined thick stone walls contain narrow slot windows and the remains of battlements along the top.
Rochester Castle was first constructed in wood soon after the Norman Conquest. It was replaced by a stone castle on the orders of William II (William Rufus) after 1087. Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester, was tasked with building the stone castle, which established the castle’s current extent. Parts of this castle still survive although it has been much altered during subsequent centuries. Rochester Castle was besieged three times: twice during the First Barons’ War (1215–1217) during King John’s reign and again in 1264 during the Second Barons’ War (1264–1267) when Roger de Leybourne successfully held the castle for Henry III against the rebel armies led by Simon de Montfort and Gilbert de Clare. The castle saw military action for the last time in 1381 when it was captured and ransacked during the Peasants’ Revolt. It subsequently fell out of use and materials were removed and used elsewhere. Today the remains of the castle are protected as a Scheduled Monument and are open to the public under the management of English Heritage.
At the entrance gate to Castle Park. Rochester Castle’s outer walls form the boundary of the park. The park’s opening times can be seen on the gate.Steps leading up to an entrance into Rochester Castle’s keep. This 12th-century keep is the castle’s most prominent feature. It is one of the best preserved keeps from this period in England or France. The keep has a square profile with towers at each corner. It is 34 metres (113 feet) in height.Again looking across Castle Park with Rochester Castle’s outer walls in view and Rochester Cathedral beyond. Rochester Cathedral is Norman in style having been built between 1079 and 1238, although the first cathedral on the site was founded in 604 by Justus, who became the first Bishop of Rochester. Part of the cathedral’s central tower and spire can be seen.A painting at Eastgate House depicting a historical scene. The painting shows sheep being driven across Rochester’s former medieval stone bridge over the River Medway. This bridge survived until 1856 when it was replaced by a new cast iron bridge. Eastgate House is a Grade I listed 16th and 17th Century town house which is open to the public.View of Rochester Bridge. For centuries this has been the lowest fixed crossing over the River Medway. The first bridge was built by the Romans as part of Watling Street. The current structure is made-up of three main bridges: two carry the A2 road and the other is a railway bridge. The Victorian cast iron arched bridge was partly reconstructed in 1914 and the second road bridge opened in 1970.A Crimean War cannon on a gun carriage on Rochester Castle’s outer walls. The castle is in a strategic position guarding the River Medway and the historic route of Watling Street.
Friday, 10th February 2023
A chandelier inside Rochester Guildhall Museum. Rochester Guildhall was built in 1687 on the High Street. It is one of the finest surviving 17th century civic buildings in Kent and is today Grade I listed and open as a museum.Inside Rochester Guildhall’s council chamber. The mayor’s seat is raised up in the centre with the royal coat of arms above. Ordinary seating and tables are arranged in rows in front. Several old portraits hang on the walls.Tony holding a wooden ship’s wheel with a window in front. This is part of a full-size reconstruction of part of a 18th century Medway prison hulk at Rochester Guildhall Museum.A metal lever used to control a ship’s speed. It has marking including ‘stop’, ‘stand by’, ‘slow’, ‘half’ and ‘full’. Part of a display at Rochester Guildhall Museum.Tony and Tatiana stood at the side of a desk where a life-sized mannikin of Charles Dickens is reading a book. Located in a gallery called ‘The Making of Mr Dickens’ at Rochester Guildhall Museum. Dickens lived near Rochester at Gads Hill Place and set several of his novels in the local area.Tony and Tatiana by Tuscan style pillars at the entrance to the Guildhall in Rochester.
