Treasures of Rochester St Margaret's Church Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June, 10am – 5pm Explore Rochester's historic parish church, climb the 15th century tower and appreciate some fine views of Rochester and the Medway Valley, or simply enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet away from the crowds with a little light refreshment. St Margaret's Church is in St Margaret's Street approximately 15 minutes walk from the cathedral and castle.
Eastgate House and gardens Dickens used Eastgate House as inspiration for The Nun’s House in The Mystery of Edwin Drood and as Westgate House Seminary in The Pickwick Papers. In the gardens of Eastgate House is the Swiss chalet from Gad’s Hill Place, Dickens’ last home. It was in the chalet that Dickens was writing the final chapters of The Mystery of Edwin Drood just before his death on 9, June 1870. The chalet was bought by the Dickens Fellowship in 1960 and presented to Rochester City Corporation. As a result of its fragile condition the chalet may be viewed from the outside only. Eastgate House is a nationally significant Grade I listed building. A project is currently being developed with the support National Lottery Funding to conserve this wonderful building as a distinctive, valued and vibrant community resource for Medway and its visitors. If you would like to find out more or become a friend of Eastgate House, please
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contact us at eastgate.house@medway.gov.uk or follow Eastgate House on Facebook.
Guildhall Museum Enter the Dickens Discovery Room and watch a short film about the great man and Rochester. Enjoy the 19th century prison hulks experience or view Victorian toys, ornaments, furniture and costumes on display and get a bird’s eye view of Rochester, with the Rochester Riverside Eye. Visitors can also visit a new temporary exhibition Gadgets & Gizmos - a unique collection of over 150 gadgets from the 19th and 20th centuries. From hair curlers to vacuum cleaners this entertaining exhibition opens on Friday, 31 May and will run until 28 February 2014.
Restoration House Restoration House is inextricably woven into the fabric of Great Expectations as Satis House - the dark, foreboding home of Miss Havisham. Its ancient and venerable allure impressed the young Dickens who first saw it as a boy, his imagination making it the unforgettable setting for the enigmatic Miss Havisham. The large but compressed architectural composition took its present form in the 16th and 17th centuries, but its origins go back to at
least 1450, its soaring chimneys and gables and array of small secretive windows set behind a brick wall and iron gate still possess a strong charge to this day, aided by the sensitive private ownership. While Dickens never entered the house, today's visitors can see ravishing interiors of great poetic resonance, splendid formal gardens and the emerging restoration of the newly acquired Tudor garden. Special Dickens festival openings: Thursday, 30 May Friday, 31 May and Saturday, 1 June 12noon to 5pm. The charity teashop will also be open.
Six Poor Travellers House This charming Tudor almshouse is situated in the High Street, next door to the Visitor Information Centre. The house is the inspiration for Dickens’ short story, The Seven Poor Travellers. The original travellers’ rooms are open to the public and the house has a beautiful herb garden. Framed extracts from Dickens story allow visitors to experience the house through Dickens’ eyes. During the festival the house is open from 10.30am to12.30pm and 1pm to 4.30pm (closed during parades).
Rochester Cathedral
Service times:
This is the second oldest cathedral in England and has been a regular place of pilgrimage for historians and worshippers since Bishop Justus founded it in 604 AD. The present building was started in 1080 by King William’s architect Bishop Gundulf. The cathedral features one of the largest collections of medieval wall paintings. The first real fresco to be painted in an English cathedral for 800 years is on view to the public. Audio tours will be available from the welcome desk to hire outside of service times.
Friday, 31 May 8am Morning Prayer 8.30am Holy Communion 5.30pm Said Evening Prayer Saturday, 1 June 8am Morning Prayer 8.30am Holy Communion 3.15pm Choral Evensong Sunday, 5 June 8am Holy Communion BCP - High Altar 9.45am Choral Mattins 10.30am The Cathedral Eucharist 3.15pm Coral Evensong and Commemoration of Charles Dickens, sung by the Rochester Cathedral Voluntary Choir. The service will include the Oration which will be given by Mr Gerald Dickens, great great grandson of Charles Dickens. Attended by members of The Dickens Festival and The Pickwick Club. 8pm Taize Prayer
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