Living in the heart of London certainly has its perks, one of which is the ease of escaping to other parts of the UK for a refreshing change. Kent, steeped in rich history, is a favourite among Londoners looking for a quick getaway.
This delightful county, bordering the capital, boasts just one city – Canterbury, home to the historic Canterbury Cathedral. However, it’s not only Canterbury that can claim the cathedral accolade.
Rochester also houses a cathedral and was recognised as a city until 1998. Due to an administrative blunder 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.
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 buffs. 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, reports MyLondon.
Inside the chapel, visitors can see a model of how the castle would have looked in the 14th century.
During summer, the castle grounds come alive with open-air theatre and cinema shows. Rochester’s High Street is a hub of activity, offering a variety of shops, eateries, museums, and art galleries.
Nestled 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 a breeze, with journey times comparable 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 hop on a Southeastern train heading towards Dover Priory and alight at Rochester.
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.