No doubt if you are an expatriate living in London, your priorities list looks something of the sort: earn the pound, have a drink or two in an old, charismatic pub and travel the far-flung corners of Europe. However, it is easy, though perhaps not wise, for many of us to ignore the delights closer to our temporary homes. It is not uncommon to head back to the shores of our own countries with guides to England packed in our suitcases and looking as new as the day they were purchased, with the trusty handbook to Europe seeming like the product of a paper shredder.

Thankfully, there is no shortage of enchanting places to be explored within convenient distance of the capital city and quiet, unassuming Rochester is undoubtedly one of the joys of southeast England. In the home county of Kent, Rochester is a mere forty minutes from London’s Victoria station and makes for an easy day trip and taste of historic England.

Close to the Kent coastline and set on both sides of the river Medway, it was founded in Roman times and has enjoyed a position of historical importance for a score of generations. In fact, Neolithic remains and moulded coins suggest that the town may have been a centre of some significance before Roman-Britain. However, the town is now best known for its two main attractions: the magnificent Rochester Cathedral and imposing grandeur of the Norman castle.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

The High Street
The town’s historical High Street, running from just beyond the railway station to the Norman keep, houses many of Rochester’s sights but is an attraction in itself. Examples of Tudor and Stuart architecture stand harmoniously alongside Georgian and Victorian structures, and it is precisely this eclectic mix that gives the tightly-packed High Street the ability to conjure images of centuries past with relative ease. But beware: since this town features Gad’s Hill Place, the house where Charles Dickens died in 1870, you will not find a shortage of shopfronts capitalising on the presence of the literary prodigy.

The Six Poor Travellers
The house of the Six Poor Travellers, along the High Street, is a largely ignored delight, immediately taking the visitor on a whirlwind tour of an Elizabethan house with a quirky historical edge: it was built for the sole purpose of providing accommodation to six poor travellers for one night each and was in operation every night from its launch in the 16th century to the middle of the 20th century. The bedrooms and living areas of the Tudor house are open to the public at no cost.

Guildhall Museum
For a browse through some very interesting, but above all, old trinkets, the Guildhall museum offers free entry. Built in 1687, it is often thought to be one of the finest civic buildings in Kent. Of particular note is the charming gilded weather-vane which has endured the effects of Mother Nature since the 1780s.

Restoration House and Gardens
Acquiring its name from the visit of Charles II on the eve of the Restoration, Restoration House and Garden is a unique find: an elegant Elizabethan mansion that has endured centuries of adjacent city development. Dickens’ presence, above all, is felt here: the house the inspiration for ‘Satis House’ in his work, Great Expectations. The picturesque gardens, conveniently available as a separate entry, may not rival the likes of Florence’s Boboli gardens or Versailles, but with their quaint layout and springtime charm, are a definite highlight of any visit to the mansion.

Rochester Cathedral
Not many visitors to Rochester Cathedral are aware that the Cathedral is one of the oldest foundations in all England. In fact, the bishopric of Rochester is second only to that of Canterbury and the cathedral is a testament to its political and religious status. Although it has been much altered in the last thousand years, it retains much of its medieval charm and it is easy to while away at least an hour exploring the ancient crypt and sarcophagi of bishops who have called the church home during the last 900 years.

Rochester Castle
The Norman Rochester Castle, however, is the true gem of this pleasant town, and at a very reasonable entry price (£4) provides an exploration of one of the finest examples of Norman architecture to be had anywhere in the world. Amongst the tallest castles built, a climb to the top levels offers inspiring views across the rooftops of Rochester. Within the old castle walls is open grassland that entices the locals to meander hours on a Sunday afternoon and, overlooking the nearby Medway River, is an idyllic setting for a spot of lunch or afternoon tea.

INFORMATION
Trains depart from the central London stations of Victoria and Charring Cross and the journey can vary depending on the service and number of stops along the way. A day-return ticket is priced at a welcome £11.80. The quickest service, stopping only at Bromley South, is from Victoria station and takes around forty minutes.

Once in Rochester, it is a short, five minute walk to the old High Street and the town’s attractions. The Tourist Information office is located half way along the High Street and can recommend accommodation options should you wish to stay overnight.