Top Things to do in Rochester
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10 Free Things to do in Rochester That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Rochester, United Kingdom including The Flippin' Frog, 12degrees micropub, Rochester Cathedral, Guildhall Museum, Six Poor Travellers House, Baggins Book Bazaar, The Coopers Arms, The Dead Pigeon, Medway Visitor Information Centre, Rochester Bridge.
Restaurants in Rochester
1. The Flippin' Frog
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
2. 12degrees micropub
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
12Degrees is a uniquely atmospheric micropub serving an ever changing range of gravity dispensed ale from our bespoke chilled racking system, Along with a selection of ciders, wines, spirits & soft drinks. Music events advertised in the pub, we look forward to seeing you at 12Degrees.
Reviewed By king_Shoreham - Dublin, Ireland
Friendly Micro pub - with great selection of local and national real ales and ciders - all kept at perfect temperature in hand made cabinets with cooling (no more too warm beer from here) - will definitely being going back again
3. Rochester Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,131 reviews
Growing in Christ since AD 604. This is England's second oldest cathedral. We are home to the Textus Roffensis, the only existing copy of the first code of English Law. Dating from 604 AD, this is the second-oldest cathedral in England.
Reviewed By 819stephanieo - Rochester, United Kingdom
Rochester Cathedral is such an interesting place to visit. It is full of history and has lots of information to read and learn about it's past. Even though it is a very popular tourist attraction in the area you ca always find a quiet space to sit and be with your own thoughts. The ladies chapel and the gardens are a favourite place of mine & my husband's to just sit quietly, light a candle and escape from the hustle and bustle of life. The team of volunteers are brilliant, very friend and always happy to help or talk about the cathedrals rich history. There is a great programme of events throughout the year, they are very popular so best to book tickets. The refurbished vaults are very impressive and a great space to have a coffee.
4. Guildhall Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 463 reviews
Reviewed By danielgraham1989 - Chandler’s Ford, United Kingdom
An interesting museum full of interesting artefacts and references to the local history. Well set out with plenty of information and an enjoyable place to visit.
5. Six Poor Travellers House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
Also open some weekend during winter.
Reviewed By LadyGreenbaum - Rochester, United Kingdom
(Click here to read la première partie) https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g635679-d2433291-r723429508-Six_Poor_Travellers_House-Rochester_Kent_England.html?m=55593 ‘Watt(s)’ the Dick’ens is going on at the poor travellers’ house again - I hear you ask! The must see 6 PTH has undergone a cabinet reshuffle (literally) that’s ‘Watt’, which makes this 16th Century historic site well worth a 2nd visit & then some!! A fascinating alms house situated in ‘The silent High Street…’ ‘in the ancient little city of Rochester in Kent’ visibly inscribed, inter alia, in the annals of history and immortalised in Dickens’ very own short story ‘The 7 Poor Travellers’. However, far from being relegated to the annals of history, the ethos behind the 6 PTH has never been more relevant today! EXHIBIT: Enter Stage left or rather through ‘the quaint old door... (an arched door)’ ‘and… ben(d) [your] head, and [descend] down two steps into the entry.’ ‘Watt’ did the 21st Century ‘Lockdown’ and its mantra ‘We’re all in this together’ associated with the virulent strain of COVID-19 (already added to the OED) show us? Namely that ‘It is a time…when want is keenly felt’. Never has the chasm between ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ been more evident - the pandemic having given rise to an unprecedented number of calls for help on an ever dwindling charitable purse with ‘Many thousands…in want of common necessaries’ – to which the ‘Watts’ Charitable arm and its 6 PTH are no strangers, having seen it all before, especially during the 1630s and 1902 plagues and everything else in between. The paradox is simply, that in the midst of the health crisis, humans need connection with each other more than ever! Once again the Watts Charity continues ‘to execute in no niggardly spirit the intentions of Master Richard Watts!” and has risen to the challenge, bucked the national trend and met the ‘Great Expectations’ identified in its mission statement by providing much of the financial assistance needed to remodel the sensory/hydro pool at Abbey Court School, so its S.E.N.D pupils can benefit from a safe, stimulating space in order to understand and feel the freedom of movement that allows them to relate to their environment; to meet the cost for 5 nurses and a palliative care nurse to be trained at the Wisdom Hospice and to help AgeUK (Medway) distribute meals for the elderly in the ME1/ME2 areas, to name but a few! Watts ‘was simply and staunchly true to his duty…’ and I feel certain that both he and Dickens (considered travellers / migrants both) would be proud to see the continuation of the Charity’s ethos resonating through the streets of Rochester today, in what can only be described as some of the hardest social restrictions put in place since the 2nd World War and the effect it has on those who have fallen on ‘Hard Times’. It simply does what it says on the tin! EXHIBIT: Enter Stage right this time – in ‘Watt’ was the original supper room: ‘Lockdown’ also afforded the venerable, passionate Custodians - Elizabeth et al; the time to reorganise the exhibition, which includes many wonderful artefacts from the 6PTH’s golden era, now collated under one roof, as well as a 19th Century register of travellers, which takes pride of place in the adjacent ‘Travellers Room’. Then take a well-earned breather on the garden bench just outside the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms to pause, listen to the audio transcript and reflect on the evocative recollections of travellers experiences; like those of ‘Rags’ who, with britches held up by string, had need of the hospitality offered at the 6PTH after walking all the way from Wales during the 1920s depression, armed only with the vain hope of finding work in the coal mines at Dover, only to return to Wales without any luck! ‘Watt’ better way to while away an afternoon, with the peal of the Cathedral bells and sounds of trickling water never far away! And not forgetting the charm of the physic courtyard garden where 'the...perfumes of the little flower-garden [at the rear] scented the air around’; the fruit, vegetables and medicinal plants all in abundance ‘[shine] in the morning dew…: and the birds [sing]…’ and ‘. . . a very preserve of butterflies as I remember it. . . where the fruit clusters on the[vines], riper and richer than fruit… in any other garden…’ – it’s true, things just grow well here and all evidently a labour of love, for there’s a spirit here which clearly manifests itself through abundance! It’s a haven from the hustle and bustle of modern day life. There is no doubt in my mind that the 6PTH has – in the words of Gerry Rafferty - ‘got it made (yeah) in the garden of England, where the sun comes up to see us every day’! All this and to think, it was at the 6PTH itself, where I rubbed shoulders with Charles Dickens’ great, great grandson, Gerald Charles Dickens, whilst he was filming the latest adaptation of the great man’s work - A Christmas Carol - standing in the very place where Dickens’ himself once stood! So Hear ye! Hear ye! - partake in the latest 21st Century fashion trend and don on that mask, make good use of that antibacterial gel and get thee to the 6PTH – and if the Reader would indulge me a little longer - I may be so bold as to borrow yet another quote from Dickens himself “Do all the good you can and make as little fuss about it as possible.” After all ‘Mankind was [Watts’s] business; charity, mercy forebearance were, all, [his] business’!
6. Baggins Book Bazaar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By monstervoyage - London, United Kingdom
The Baggins Book Bazaar is a treasure chest of literature and definitely worth visiting if you come to Rochester in Kent. If you're looking for your favourite childhood book or simply searching for the unknown, it will be difficult not to find what you're looking for. Baggins is the largest second-hand bookshop in England and when you visit you'll totally understand why... it goes on and on and on and on.
7. The Coopers Arms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By lauren_weight - Gillingham, United Kingdom
Our first visit back since lockdown and did not disappoint. Always thought Coopers is one of the best pubs in Rochester and still do. Popped in for a post-dinner drink yesterday evening. Very safe procedures in place in the new COVID world - temperature checking, signing in, one way routes - they are taking it reassuringly seriously. Great service as always, and good drinks. Garden is a perfect oasis off the beaten track and always a pleasant atmosphere. Still one of our favourites and shall be back soon.
8. The Dead Pigeon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By 360joee - Gillingham, United Kingdom
I’ve experienced both eat and and take out and couldn’t be more complimentary about both. Friendly staff, who are helpful and polite. Sports (all types) on the many well positioned large screens. The food was just as amazing eating in as it was getting it delivered and picking it up. To transport the food and keep it’s structural integrity is an achievement in its self. A great selection of beers, and knowledgeable/passionate staff to go with it is a great reason to try the many types they have on offer. I would be amazed if anyone doesn’t enjoy their Dead Pigeon experience. I couldn’t recommend more! A must try in Medway and beyond.
9. Medway Visitor Information Centre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By RodneyfromLondon - London, United Kingdom
The free map was exactly what I needed; they were well informed about opening hours , and the small shop had exactly the postcards I was looking for.
10. Rochester Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 157 reviews
Medieval Bridge Trust which owns and maintains the two road bridges and service bridge at Rochester across the River Medway. A charitable trust which receives no public funding.
