insideKENT Magazine Issue 78 - September 2018 | Page 47

TOWNSPOTLIGHT
Spotlight on
ROCHESTER
ROCHESTER IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES THAT IS LOVELY TO LOOK AT, AND WHEN
YOU SCRATCH THE PRETTY SURFACE, YOU SUDDENLY DISCOVER SO MUCH
MORE TO SEE, DO AND DISCOVER. IT’S A FASCINATING PLACE, AND WHETHER
YOU WANT TO GO FOR A GREAT MEAL OUT, A DAY TRIP, OR FOR A SPECIAL EVENT
(OF WHICH THERE ARE MANY), ROCHESTER IS THE PLACE TO GO.
HISTORY IN BRIEF
Archaeologists have found some impressive
items around the Rochester area, and the
oldest date back to Neolithic times (around
10,200BC to 2,000BC). Over the centuries,
Rochester, this ancient town, has been
variously occupied by Celts, Romans, Jutes
and Saxons too – it seems anyone who was
invading at the time decided that Rochester
was a good place to settle, at least for a while.
This is most likely due to it being positioned
at the lowest point of the River Medway,
making it ideal for trading because boats could
easily land there.
It’s this trading that turned a small village into
a thriving town – the town we know today.
Its importance was set in stone (literally) when
two castles (Rochester and Upnor) and a
cathedral were built. been the subject of a number of studies on
architecture in the past. Inside, and by special
appointment only, it is possible to see the
famous Chapter Library Door, one of the oldest
doors in England which dates back to the 14th
century.
THINGS TO DO Free Exhibition at Rochester Cathedral
The origins of Rochester date to almost 2,000
years ago, when the Romans built the first
bridge here. That bridge was replaced in
medieval times, when the Rochester Bridge
Trust was founded. Find out more in a free
exhibition, Bridge Works, in Rochester
Cathedral’s Crypt.
Rochester Cathedral
Rochester Cathedral has been on a site of
worship since 604AD, although the present
stunning building’s construction was started
in 1080 on the instruction of Gundulf, a French
monk. The building is Gothic in style and has
Rochester Cathedral and Rochester Castle
Rochester High Street
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