Rochester Castle

Rochester Castle sits among the idyllic banks of the River Medway in the town of Rochester. The effects of its grand facade, along with its “inseparable twin”, Rochester Cathedral on the skyline at dusk are a sight that beholds at once beauty and magnificence.

Renowned as one of the finest and best preserved examples of Norman architecture in England this day, its awesome stone square keep rises to 113 feet high making it one of the tallest of any castle keep in the country. It sits on or close to the site on which the Romans built their first Riverside fort in the area; built to protect the bridge crossing carrying their legions on their way from Dover to London and realms beyond.

It was centuries later in 1087 during the conquest of Britain by the aptly named William the Conqueror that the Bishop Gundulf - one of Williams finest architects - began the construction of what would become today's Rochester Castle. The great keep itself however, was not constructed until later in 1127 under commission by the Archbishop of Canterbury, having been granted ownership of the castle by Henry I some years earlier.

Visitors today can see the castle and its keep, along with the rebuilt round tower, any day of the week open from 10am to 6pm. Prices are £5.80 for adults and £3.70 for children.

Airport

• Rochester Airport 4.82

Attractions

• Rochester Castle 0.00

Theatre

• Medway Little Theatre 0.92
• Central Theatre 1.89
• Kings Theatre 2.39

Train Station

• Strood Kent Train Station 0.66
• Chatham Train Station 1.82
• Cuxton Train Station 3.34
• Gillingham (Kent) Train Station 3.41
• Higham Train Station 4.75
• Halling Train Station 5.82
• Snodland Train Station 7.61
• Sole Street Train Station 8.55
• New Hythe Train Station 9.23