Rochester Castle

The great keep of Rochester Castle towers over the River Medway and by its side, an inseparable twin, the magnificent cathedral shares and dominates the skyline.
Rochester Castle is known as one of the best preserved and finest examples of Norman architecture in England. Its great keep, square, massive and one of the tallest in the country, measures 113 feet high, 70 feet square and has walls 12 feet thick in places.
It was on, or close to, the present castle site that the Romans built their first fort to guard the bridge carrying their legions over the river on their way from Dover to London and beyond. Some centuries later, in 1087, Bishop Gundulf – one of William the Conqueror’s finest architects – began the construction of today’s castle, making use of what remained of the original Roman city walls. The great keep was built by William de Corbeil, Archbishop of Canterbury, to whom Henry I granted custody of the castle in 1127.
The castle has had a chequered history, having been three times subjected to siege and was partly demolished in 1215 by King John, who gained entry by undermining the south-west tower, using the fat from 40 pigs to set fire to the pit props. Today, visitors can see the rebuilt round tower, contrasting with the square towers of the original Norman castle.
A new model has been installed in the castle’s chapel showing how the castle would have looked in the 14th century. For a personal guided tour of the castle, a sound wand interpretation is available at a nominal charge of 50p.
Open daily:
?April 1 – September 30, 10am-6pm.
? October 1 - March 31, 10am-4pm.
? Last admission 45 minutes before closing.
Prices:
? Adults £4.
? Child/student £3.
? Concessions £3.
? Family ticket £11.

Rochester Cathedral

604 - the first church is built on the site of Rochester Cathedral.
The church of St. Andrew the Apostle, Rochester was founded by Ethelbert, King of Kent, as a college for a small number of secular canons under Justus, Bishop of Rochester in AD 604. Very little is known about the history of this house. It never seems to have had much influence outside its own walls and though it possessed considerable landed estates, seems to have been relatively small and poor. It also suffered at the hands of the Danes. Bishops Justus, Romanus, Paulinus and Ithamar were all remarkable men but after Bishop Putta's translation to Hereford in AD 676, very little is heard of Rochester. Bishop Siweard is not mentioned as having been at Hastings with King Harold, as were many of the Saxon bishops and abbots. The house put up no opposition to King William I when he seized its lands and gave them to his brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, whom he had created Earl of Kent. The chroniclers say that the house was destitute and that when Siweard died in 1075, it was barely able to support the five canons on the establishment.
In 1083 Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, visited Rochester and himself instituted 22 monks of the Benedictine order in the house: some from Bec, France, probably some from the two houses at Canterbury, Christchurch and St Augustine, and possibly some from Caen. He endowed the house with property, making careful and distinct provision for the bishop and the monks. Some of the lands he gave them were his own, others he bought and some he had acquired in 1076. Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester, also acquired a great deal of property for his house, which rapidly found favour with the Norman kings. Together with Archbishop Lanfranc, he began the rebuilding of the church and monastery buildings. In the rebuilding of his church, Gundulf followed the usual practice of starting the new building to the east of the existing church so that there would be no interruption in the services of the church. He also appears to have incorporated part of the city wall into his building, as the tower known as Gundulf's Tower was one of the watch towers. Substantial parts of his work remain today, particularly in the crypt.
William of Perth

The Historic Dockyard

The Historic Dockyard, Chatham is Europe’s most important maritime heritage destination. The 80-acre site dates back over 400 years and was once one of Britain’s most important naval bases. Among its displays are warships, exhibitions and some of the country’s best architecture.
Historic warships
Three of the nation’s most powerful fighting ships are on display – HMS Cavalier, Britain’s last remaining WWII destroyer, the submarine HMS Ocelot and after restoration, the last Victorian sloop, HMS Gannet. Guided tours around the destroyer and through the submarine are included in the entrance price.
The award-winning Wooden Walls animatronic gallery allows visitors to walk through the Royal Dockyard of 1758 and discover how Britain’s wooden warships were built. Lifeboat!, the Royal National Lifeboat Institute National Exhibition, tells the story of one of Britain’s vital volunteer services with a display of 16 full size lifeboats, film and artefacts.
The Ropery is a unique quarter-mile long building where craftsmen still use traditional techniques to make quality rope that rigs the world’s grandest sailing ships.
The Kent Police Museum, craft workshops, licensed restaurant and teashop are also on site.
Prices:
? Adult £10
? Child £6.50
? Concession £7.50
? Family ticket £26.50 (Two adults and two children). Additonal child £3.25
For opening times visit The Historic Dockyard website: (www.chdt.org.uk

Medway is steeped in history and rich in culture, making it an area with both a vibrant past and a promising future.

The area’s position on the main road to Europe, which brought Romans, royals and writers here down the centuries, also makes it the perfect place to visit.
Whether you come for its maritime and military links, to see the place Charles Dickens knew, loved and wrote about, the Norman cathedral and castle, Georgian and Victorian architecture or fascinating shops, you’ll find an area packed with interesting places to discover and things to do.
Medway offers a fine selection of quality places to stay to enable you to make the most of your visit. Whatever your taste or budget, you’ll find accommodation to suit your needs – down to the last detail. From comfortable bead and breakfast accommodation, offering a warm and friendly service, to quality hotels, with attractive weekend and short break rates, offering a number of leisure and sports facilities included in the tari
You’ll never be bored on a visit to Medway – there’s so much to see and do.
These pages take you on a whistlestop tour through Medway’s most popular visitor attractions.

Museums in Medway
Whether your interest is in the area’s military connections at the Royal Engineers Museum, the area’s rich heritage that can be found in Guildhall Museum or the engineering heritage at the Old Brook Pumping Station, you’ll go away both enlightened and astounded.

Europe’s Largest Shoping Mall
Shopaholics can visit both Bluewater and Lakeside shopping centres both within 35 minutes drive which boast to be the biggest and best in Europe

WALKING
If you like walking we have many footpaths through the countryside and are also very close to the Saxon Shore Way. The RSPB reserve is just around the corner in High Halstow including the largest Heronry in Europe. We do provide a selection of Wellington boots for people to borrow

Herne Bay - A great day out and a great place stay.

The present town was founded in the early nineteen hundreds by London speculators who noting the unspoilt charm of the Bay planned a new resort to be named St Augustine's.However, the name did not catch on and it continued to be known as Herne Bay after the nearby village. It was during this period that a wealthy London lady gave the town its distinctive 80ft Clock Tower.

The first pier was erected in 1832 and by 1834 steamboats were using it to land over 40,000 visitors each year to the resort. What had once been the haunt of smugglers, had grown into a fashionable Victorian resort with all the attendant features of bathing machines and assembly rooms.

Herne Bay proudly flies both the prestigious European Blue Flag and the yellow and blue Seaside Award, over its safe clean beaches. Wildlife also love the clean seas in the bay and bird and seal-watching trips are available.

Experience the marine environment first hand and board one of the boat tours. Leaving most days from Neptune's Arm are BayBlast boats trips; offering exciting and thrilling rigid inflatable boat trips in the bay. Wildlife Sailing trips also leave from Neptune's Arm.
Also A popular destination for all kinds of water sports, Herne Bay has hosted the exciting water sport Zapcat racing championships.

The resort is also a mecca for fishing enthusiasts, with cod, bass and skate most commonly caught from the Pier and the shores and Chartered Fishing Trips out in the bay may also be arranged. Don't miss a chance to sample fresh seafood from one of the many local specialist restaurants.
The town's vibrant and colourful August festival has a carnival and fireworks, fun fair and special events for all ages.

Recalling its Victorian heritage Herne Bay hosts an annual Punch and Judy weekend in the summer. Whilst a variety of bands ranging from youth to military, and jazz to pop, play throughout the season in the recently refurbished Bandstand.

The Victorian Bandstand, now returned to its former glory, is now also home to the Herne Bay Information Centre where the helpful staff offer advice and an insight to the town and the surrounding area, as only a local person can do. Amongst the many services which the centre offers are free information leaflets, a gift shop, accommodation bookings, National Express bookings, coach day trips, cross channel ferry bookings and theatre bookings. A one stop shop to save you time and enable you to get the best out of your visit to the town.

From the Bay one can see, to the east, the twin towers of St Mary's Church at Reculver, which mark the location of Reculver Country Park. In World War II the bouncing bomb, invented by Barnes Wallis for the Dambusters, was tested off the shore near here. One of the prototype bombs, recently recovered from the beach at Reculver, may be seen in the Herne Bay Museum.
For centuries the towers have been an invaluable navigational aid, and when the rest of 12th century church was demolished the demand for the towers to remain was so great that they were preserved. The towers, the foundations of the earlier Saxon church mentioned in the Domesday book and the Roman fort of Reculver (Regulbium), are all situated in Reculver Country Park. The park is a renowned spot for watching migrating birds and has an information centre telling the story of the geology, history and wildlife of this stretch of coastline. Interesting coastal walks, along the Wantsum Channel are signed from here.
Inland is the nearby Saxon village of Herne, which is home to a traditional Kentish smock windmill built in the late 18th century. The village is associated with smuggling and the 14th century church of St Martin's is the final resting place of Midshipman Snow, killed by a gang of smugglers in the bay. St Martin's Church is also where the Te Deum was first sung in English.

Bayblast new experience

Bayblast Marine offer fun and interest for all ages aboard a new offshore Rigid Inflatable Boat. Experiences vary in duration from 50 minutes to 3 hours.RIBS offer a superb ride and a perspective unique to these craft.
Steady cruises and quick tours are available from Neptunes Arm Herne Bay or The Harbour Ramp at Whitstable by the Lifeboat station.Standard Trips available or phone Mike to suit your own preferences.

Tours include:
• Seal Spotter
• Seal Tour
• The Forts Tour
• Discovery Tour
• Kentish Flats
• (Wind Farm)
• Corporate Fun
• Hen and Stag

Thames Barge Greta

Offer various sailing trips from the harbour when not on charter.
Or you may charter a day or an evening cruise for a maximum of 12 persons. For example, a standard evening cruise could be. Sail from Whitstable harbour to the Ferry Inn on the Island. Partake in an evening meal at the inn. Then relax on board Greta, and enjoy a famous Whitstable sunset as she takes you back to Whitstable. Or, with the Skippers permission, you can plan your own trip.

Kite Boarding
Whitstable and Tankerton Bays

Get a kite with some inflatable sections so it floats if you crash it into the water and a board like a surf board. Add some wind [you don't need much to get going!] and away you go. It would be best if you knew how to come back though and that's where we come in, experienced instructors will be teaching you and a rescue craft will be at hand. The course fees covers your instruction, insurance, kit hire, showering, changing and even sauna facilities. All you need to bring is a towe

Reculver Roman Fort (Regulbium)

Foundations of a 7-acre fort built on a hillock, commanding entrance to the Wantsum channel. Reculver Country Park is maintained by a partnership between Kent Wildlife Trust, English Heritage and Canterbury City Council and is crossed by the Saxon Shore Way and Wantsum Walks. The Park is a renowned spot for watching migrating birds.

Wildlife boat trips -Visit local wildlife in their natural habitat

Take a short trip or a part day cruise on the open yacht 'Wildlife'. Subject to weather conditions sailings leave Neptune's Arm, next to Herne Bay pier, daily from April to November.

Cruises include:
• Seal watch a 5 hour
• Bird watch a 3/4 hour
• WWI Maunsell Sea Forts 4 hours
• Whole day charters
• Whole boat charters
• Scuba diving
• Ash scattering ceremonies

Whitstable museum and art gallery
Whitstable's unique coastal community and seafaring traditions are the main themes of the town's lively museum; with special features on oysters, diving and shipping.
The fascinating collection - with frequent new additions - give townspeople and their visitors an idea of why Whitstable is here, how it grew and how it is changing over the years.
In 2001 the Museum was awarded the international Nautiek Award for services to diving history. This was the first time the trophy had been awarded in the UK - the last recipient was the Naval Undersea Museum in Washington, USA.
Further galleries show pictures of Whitstable's coast and the notable collection of ship 'portraits' which capture the town's trading links around the globe.
A special display focuses on the rich wildlife of the local shoreline - the plants, fossils, shells and birds to be discovered there.
The displays have proved a valuable resource much used by local schools. Paper, pencils and clipboards are always available for making drawings, a changing selection of which is displayed in the Museum.
The art gallery is a popular venue for the regularly changing special exhibitions - usually 6 per year. It hosts both national touring exhibitions and those put on by local talents.
Public events linked to the exhibitions are arranged regularly, including workshops with practising artists for schools and colleges.

Canterbury City- Visitor Attractions

World heritage
Canterbury Cathedral
St Martin's Church

This is the oldest parish church in England where continuous Christian worship has taken place since before 597AD. It was named after St. Martin, Bishop of Tours in France, where Queen Bertha lived before she married Ethelbert King of Kent. Believed to date back to Roman times. St Martin's was where St. Augustine's mission of 40 monks came before he had established the monastery at nearby

St Augustine's Abbey.

Explore the ruins of the abbey founded by St Augustine in 597AD, now part of Canterbury's World Heritage Site. The site also includes a facinating museum with genuine artefacts and a free audio tour. (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) Entrance on Longport, Canterbury.
Explore the ruins of the abbey founded by St Augustine in 597AD, now part of Canterbury's World Heritage Site. The site also includes a facinating museum with genuine artefacts and a free audio tour. (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) Entrance on Longport, Canterbury.
Guided tours
• Guided Walking Tours
• Ghostly Guided Walks
• Canterbury Carriages
• Historic River Tours
• Punt Trips

Canterbury Tales

A visit to The Canterbury Tales, one of Kent’s most popular attractions, with its stunning reconstruction of 14th century England, is just like stepping into the Middle Ages. Inside the historic building of St. Margaret’s Church you can step back over 500 years to join Geoffrey Chaucer (England’s finest poet) and his colourful characters as they journey from London towards the shrine of St. Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral and enjoy their medieval adventure stories.

“ Humorous . . . enjoyable and Very Well Done”
- The Sunday Telegraph

Canterbury Castle

The remains of a Norman castle with interpretation panels, an elevated viewing area and some seating is a main focus of interest on the city wall trail. Leaflets on the trail are available at the information centre in Sun street opposite the cathedral's main gateway.
Canterbury Castle was established in the 1080s by the Normans and replaced an earlier motte and bailey fortification built at the nearby Dane John. The stone keep was largely constructed in the reign of Henry I (1100 - 1135) as one of three Royal castles in Kent. By the 13th century the castle had become the county gaol.
The castle enclosure re-used the Roman town wall as its southern boundary. Some reused Roman material may still be seen in the far corner close to the Wincheap pedestrian subway
Eastbridge Hospital
This medieval pilgrim's hospital, with undercroft, two chapels and refectory also includes the early 13th century painting of Christ in glory. The hospital was founded in the 12th century to provide overnight lodging to pilgrims visiting the shrine of Thomas Becket.

Canterbury Centre

This converted medieval church retains many of its original interesting features and is now the host for many shows and events organised by local groups. Exhibitions illustrate Canterbury's present and future, as well as its past. The Environment Centre cafe serves homemade vegetarian fare.

Dane John Gardens

Recently judged one of the best parks in the country, Dane John Gardens has been awarded both the Green FlagAward and the Green Heritage Site Award.
Stroll along the city walls which border one side of the gardens and wander up to the top of the Dane John Mound for an excellent view of the city. On the top of the mound is a monument commemorating Alderman James Simmon's gift of the gardens to the people of Canterbury.

Before the nearby Norman castle was built, a wooden castle keep summounted the mound. The name Dane John is thought to have been anglicised from the French word donjon meaning a castle keep. A children's playground featuring a castle is sited in the shadow of the mound.

Many events are held in the gardens. Most weekends in the summer months there will be a band concert. Concerts range from Brass to Pop, Military to Rock with something to suit all age groups and tastes.

In September the gardens host the English Food Fare and in November, the city's famous Christmas Euromarket is held here.
Westgate Gardens

The Roman city wall once followed the river through the gardens. Today there is no wall at this point as it as breached during the civil war period and the stone was robbed out. Odd pieces of masonry still remain amongst the plants and shrubs, although they are thought not to be from the wall but to have come from other parts of the city when the gardens were laid out.
In the summer months punt trips leave from the slipway in Whitehall Road, across the river from the gardens.

Tower House houses the Lord Mayor of Canterbury's offices. It was once the home of Canterbury's first female mayor, Catherine Williamson and the gardens were part of the estate. Mrs Williamson was mayor during the early part of World War II, her family presented Tower House and the Westgate gardens to the city.
Near the house is a famous city landmark, a plane tree, which is thought to be over 200 years old.
Excavations by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust have found the footings of the original Roman wall, and also the remains of the Roman London Gate in the grassed area by the River Stour. A plaque in the gardens marks this spot.
Museums & Galleries

• Museum of Canterbury
• Rupert Bear Museum
• Roman Museum
• West Gate Towers
• Royal Museum & Art Gallery
• Buffs Regimental Museum
• Art Galleries

Things to do

• Marlowe Theatre
• Gulbenkian Theatre with Cinema 3
• Odeon Cinema
• Street Entertainment
• Night Clubs
• Chicago Rock Cafe
• Baa Bars
• The Venue