Town centres

You will find a warm welcome in Rochester, the historic heart of Medway. The High Street, with its wide pavements and ornate lampposts, is unique for the absence of the usual High Street names but it more than makes up for it with a large number of traditional shops, many of which are family-owned, offering personalised customer service. Anyone looking for a special gift or yesterday’s curios will find a wide range of specialist shops to choose from, including those selling rare books, paintings, arts and craft, porcelain and fashion clothes. These are mingled with shops selling mouth-watering chocolates, fudge and homemade pies and pastries.

Every third Sunday of each month there’s a chance to purchase locally-grown produce from a farmers’ market.

Did you know that Rochester is the home of Baggins Books (www.bagginsbooks.co.uk), the largest second-hand bookshop in England?

There is a wide range of traditional and modern restaurants and bistros and for lovers of international cuisine there is a fine choice of restaurants serving dishes from Europe, Asia and China.

There is the magnificent Norman cathedral and castle and many buildings of great architectural and historical interest. These include the impressive 17th century Guildhall, now a museum of local history. Charles Dickens loved Rochester and many of the buildings featured in his great novels are to be seen when walking in and around the High Street, such as Restoration House , which is open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays in the summer months.

When travelling by car to Rochester, take junction three from the M2 and follow the signs for the historic city centre. A free park and ride service operates every Saturday (follow the signs from junction three). Rochester city centre is well served by buses and trains from the surrounding area.

More news about Rochester: www.thenationalpages.co.uk/find/Rochester%2C-Kent/Councils.

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