This guide plans a day in Rochester’s historic centre: the castle and cathedral on one side of the High Street, two small museums on it, and two green spaces to rest in. The cards below link to each place’s InKent page. Opening days differ from place to place, so the first thing to settle is which day you go.
Which day to go
On a Saturday every place in this guide is normally open, though Eastgate House closes on some dates for weddings and events. On a Sunday the Guildhall Museum is closed. On a Monday the castle and the Guildhall Museum are closed, apart from some bank holidays for the castle, and Eastgate House is open at weekends only. Each place says to check before you go, so confirm on its own page.
Rochester Castle
The castle is on Castle Hill above the River Medway. English Heritage says the Norman keep was built about 1127. Medway Council manages the keep and the castle gardens.
- Opening: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, with last admission 45 minutes before closing.
- Cost: adult entry was £9.50 when we checked on 28 October 2026, with lower prices for children, concessions and families. Entry is free for English Heritage members and under-5s.
- Suits: families and anyone interested in medieval history. Visit Medway publishes an access statement, so read it if access matters.
Rochester Cathedral
The cathedral is in the Precinct beside the castle. It says it was founded in 604 AD by Bishop Justus. Entry is free and donations are welcome, with no booking needed.
It is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 12pm to 4pm. It occasionally closes for services and events, so check before you go. Guide dogs, hearing dogs and registered assistance dogs are welcome, and an AccessAble access guide is linked from the cathedral’s website.
Guildhall Museum and Eastgate House
The Guildhall Museum is Medway Council’s museum in Rochester’s 17th century Guildhall on the High Street. It covers local history, the River Medway and the prison hulks. It is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and entry was £5 at the last check. Access is restricted in most of the Grade I listed building, and Visit Medway lists the parts that wheelchair users can reach.
Eastgate House is a Grade I listed townhouse on the High Street, built in 1590, with Charles Dickens’ Swiss chalet, which he used as his study, in its gardens. Visit Medway lists it as open at weekends from 10am to 5pm, on bank holidays and on some extra days in school holidays and before Christmas, and it was £7 at the last check. The council’s own directory gives different days, so check before you go. Visit Medway says Dickens came back to live in the area, and its Dickensian Medway page lists the Rochester places that inspired him.
The Vines and Esplanade Gardens
The Vines is a Green Flag park in central Rochester, on the site of the monks’ medieval vineyard. It has an avenue of plane trees and a natural play area. It is free, open every day of the year, and has no parking.
Esplanade Gardens are the riverside gardens below the castle, with a play area, an outdoor gym and the last stretch of the Medway Valley Walk. Medway Council does not publish opening hours for them. Both parks are free.
A coffee stop
Rochester Coffee Co is at 89 High Street, with outside seating that looks across to the cathedral. It serves sandwiches, cakes and afternoon tea if booked ahead, and opens daily.
Getting there
Southeastern runs trains from Rochester to London, so use its journey planner for current times and fares.
Medway Council lists Rochester’s car parks on its website, including Blue Boar Lane, Corporation Street, King Street and the multi-storey. Blue Boar Lane, Corporation Street and the multi-storey take payment through the Go Mobon app rather than RingGo, and the multi-storey does not take cash. Check the council’s parking pages for how to pay and current tariffs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rochester Castle open on Mondays?
Visit Medway lists the castle as open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays except some bank holidays. Check its page for the date you plan to go.
Is Rochester Cathedral free to enter?
Yes. The cathedral says admission is free and donations are welcome, and Visit Medway says no booking is needed.
Is there somewhere for children to play?
The Vines has a natural play area and Esplanade Gardens has a play area. Both are free.