Rochester Castle
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The great keep of Rochester Castle towers over the River Medway, dominating the skyline together with its inseparable twin, the magnificent cathedral.
Rochester Castle is 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. 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 a chequered history, having been subjected to siege three times and in 1215 partly demolished by King John, who gained entry by undermining the south-east 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 model has been installed in the castle’s chapel showing how the castle would have looked in the 14th century.
Ironclad feature film based on the great siege on Rochester Castle was released in Spring 2011. Travel back to 1215 to witness the battle for Rochester Castle in a story of honour, action and excitement. For more details visit www.visitmedway.org
For a guided tour, an audio guide interpretation is available at a nominal charge of £1 and is available in English, French, German and Dutch.
Opening Times
| Open All Year |
|---|
| October to March (10am to 4pm) (01/01/2011 - 31/12/2012) |
|---|
Facilities
Provider Preferences
- In town/city centre
- Outdoor Attraction
Accessibility
- Induction Loop System
- Information on Audio Tape on Request
Parking & Transport
- Coach parking - At nearby Acorn Wharf Coach Park (Free)
- Parking (charge) - At nearby Pay and Display car parks
- Railway station within walking distance
Catering
- Picnic Site
Payment Methods
- Delta accepted
- Groups Accepted - Essential to pre-book group visits
- Maestro Accepted
- MasterCard accepted
- Min group size - 20
- TIC Staff Admitted Free
- Visa accepted
Establishment Features
- Audio Commentary in Foreign Languages
- Garden / Grounds for visitors use
- Gift shop
- Groups welcome
- Open all year round
- Open on bank holidays
- Toilets
Specialist Features
- Marketed Towards Families
Tours and Demonstrations
- Educational Visits Accepted
Audio Commentary in Foreign Languages
- Dutch audio guide
- French audio guide
- German audio guide
Prices
| Ticket Type | Tariff |
|---|---|
| Adult | £5.65 per ticket |
| Concession / Child | £3.60 per ticket |
| Family | £15.00 per ticket |
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
VAQAS Accreditation
Awards
- Visit Britain Awards -
Code of Practice 2012
Gradings
- Quality Assured Visitor Attraction VB Attraction
Road Directions
From M2/A2 exit at junction 2, A228 and follow the signs for Rochester. Rochester Castle is situated at the river end of the High Street.
Public Transport Directions
Nearest rail station is Rochester. The castle is within easy walking distance from the station.
