insideKENT Magazine Issue 78 - September 2018 | Page 48

TOWNSPOTLIGHT
Spotlight on ROCHESTER cont.
Sweeps Festival
Upnor Castle
A mere baby in comparison to its companion
Rochester Castle, Upnor Castle was built in
1559 on order from Elizabeth I. Its purpose
was to protect the gunships that were sailing
down the Medway and into the Chatham
Docks. However, despite looking good, the
castle wasn’t much of a defence, and in 1667
it completely failed to stop a Dutch fleet from
attacking the Royal Naval shops stationed at
the Dockyard. Upnor Castle is full of winding
staircases, large courtyards, and a sense of
history that, rather than being airbrushed into
perfection, shows the flaws and errors that
our ancestors were perfectly capable of
making.
Restoration House
This privately owned house is open to the
public when the owners are not in residence,
and is a wonderful example of what Rochester
has to offer. With a number of different displays
about the town’s history and its links with King
Charles II, Charles Dickens (Restoration House
was the basis for Miss Haversham’s House in
Great Expectations), and a number of other
famous personalities, beautifully maintained
gardens, as well as a tearoom, this is a lovely
way to spend some time.
Guildhall Museum
This fascinating museum has free entry, but
many a visitor would be glad to pay a fee to
see the exhibits and information inside. The
artefacts on display include a massive
weathervane shaped like an 18th century
warship (found on the roof and weighing a
huge 51kg!), a 200,000-year-old axe (which it
is possible to touch), a Victorian drawing room
and kitchen, the Dickens Discovery Room,
and a number of items from a Roman villa,
plus plenty more.
DINING OUT
Mamma Mia
Mamma Mia is an authentic Italian restaurant
offering freshly made dishes that range from
wonderful pizzas to innovative pasta dishes
and more besides. Take a look at their website,
and you will even find hints and tips on how
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to cook your own wonderful Italian food. If
you would rather someone else did it, the
menu at Mamma Mia includes crespelle
contadina (pancakes filled with spinach and
ricotta cheese served with a creamy wild
mushroom sauce and a touch of tomato
sauce), and linguine Mamma Mia (a cherry
tomato sauce with white wine, garlic, olive
oil, langoustine, king prawn, fresh clams,
mussels, prawns and parsley).
Oliver’s Bar and Restaurant
For sophisticated comfort and a friendly
atmosphere, it’s hard to beat Oliver’s. This is
the kind of place you can go for any occasion,
and you’ll enjoy every second of your time
there. Choose from dishes such as smoked
ham hock terrine, fillet of seabass with roasted
potatoes, heritage beans and pea and wild
mushroom ragu, warm halloumi salad (roasted
halloumi slices served with warm chargrilled
vegetables, mixed leaves and zingy lemon
dressing), and peach posset (creamy peach
posset topped with sliced peach, served with
white chocolate ice cream) for dessert.
Elizabeth’s Restaurant
Opened almost 30 years ago, Elizabeth’s
Restaurant is still family owned and run.
Located in a gorgeous Tudor building with
oak beams and plenty of genial atmosphere,
Elizabeth’s has something for everyone on the
fresh, exciting menu. Dishes include goats’
cheese nuggets with toasted sesame seeds,
beetroot purée and ginger melba; roast duck
breast with a cherry jus and sauté potatoes;
and dark and white chocolate mousse with a
honey twill, mint, chocolate soil and orange
sorbet. On the last Thursday of every month
Elizabeth’s holds a fabulous tapas evening too.
The Kings Arms
Just down the cobbled street from Upnor
Castle, The Kings Arms is a great pub and
restaurant that is often called a ‘hidden gem’.
The food here is delicious and homemade,
exactly what is required after a hard day of
sightseeing. The menu includes dishes such
as breaded brie with a cranberry dip, chef’s
steak and ale pie, and a hot and cold seafood
board as well as many other pub classics and
a lovely children’s menu too.
Dickens Parade
ANNUAL EVENTS
Sweeps’ Festival // May
The Sweeps’ Festival is a colourful, vibrant –
eccentrically and traditionally British – festival
of dance, music, and fun. Sweeps’ Day is
celebrated on 1st May, and the festival
continues this theme and creates a full
weekend out of it.
The Dickensian Festivals – May/June & Dec
With such strong links to Charles Dickens, it’s
no wonder that Rochester has two annual
festivals to celebrate the fact. Both festivals (in
May/June and December) include re-
enactments, costumed actors, and Victorian
revelry. Whether you are a fan of the man or
not, the festivals are great fun.
Christmas Market // Nov/Dec
The Rochester Christmas Market is the
highlight of the year for many. Combined with
the December Dickensian Festival, this really
is like stepping back in time one hundred and
fifty years, and finding out how the Victorians
did Christmas – after all, most of our traditions
come from them. Stalls selling gifts, food, and
drink line the streets and entertainers come
from far and wide to make you smile.
TOP SPOT
The oldest part of Rochester Castle, the
Norman keep, was built in around 1127 by the
then Archbishop of Canterbury, William
Corbeil. Since then, it has stood guard over
Rochester, protecting it from all who attempted
to invade. For those unafraid of heights, the
top of the battlements gives you the ultimate
view of Rochester, and you can borrow an
audio guide that will take you around the castle
and give you a complete history of the
impressive place.
DID YOU KNOW?
Are you a James Bond fan? The next time you
watch Goldfinger make sure you listen out for
Sean Connery to mention the traffic problems
between Strood and Rochester!