Medway: Castles, Dockyard History and River Scenery

The keep of Rochester Castle is the tallest in England. The River Medway connects Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham; historic buildings, maritime history and varied landscapes shape a journey through Medway. Cultural attractions, trails and natural areas each offer a different focus.

Castles, a cathedral and maritime history

Rochester Cathedral brings together a long religious history and a dated building history: Christian worship has been held there since 604 AD, while the present building dates back to work by Bishop Gundulf in 1083. The two dates mark different aspects of its history. Eastgate House, meanwhile, is a Grade I-listed townhouse dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Upnor Castle is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument in Medway. Fort Amherst was built in 1756 to defend the naval dockyard against attacks from the land. The fort includes more than 20 acres of green space, including the highest point in Medway. On a guided tour, you can explore the extensive underground tunnels and chambers; check whether a tour is available before your visit.

Rope has been made at Chatham Dockyard for more than 400 years, and traditional methods are still used today. The Historic Dockyard Chatham features three historic ships and interactive museum galleries. The Ropery is an immersive exhibition gallery that tells the story of Chatham Dockyard and its people.

Museums offering different perspectives

The Guildhall Museum’s collections tell the story of Medway from its Roman origins to the present day. The Huguenot Museum in Rochester is Britain’s first museum devoted to Huguenot history; its programme includes craft workshops, discussions, lectures and film screenings. If you are visiting for a particular event, check the dates. The Royal Engineers Museum is Kent’s largest military museum and houses one of the United Kingdom’s most significant military history collections. The Medway Aircraft Preservation Society restores and preserves historic aircraft and artefacts for public display. The MAPSL Workshop Visitor Centre and Gift Shop are open to the public; check opening times before travelling.

Nature, water and trails

Northward Hill Nature Reserve offers many miles of trails through marshland, hay meadows and a woodland carpeted with bluebells. Almost 250 pairs of grey herons and little egrets nest in the trees. The nature experience there ranges from open landscapes to nesting grounds in the trees.

Riverside Country Park covers 100 hectares along the Medway Estuary. The Medway Estuary in Riverside Country Park is specially protected as part of the Medway Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Capstone Farm Country Park has a different character: it covers 114 hectares of former farmland on the North Downs, with ancient woodland and orchards, a freshwater lake, meadows and hedgerows. You can walk, run and cycle there.

For a comparison of route lengths: the Rochester Trail is six miles long and marked with green waymarkers; the Saxon Shore Way runs for 26 miles through the Hoo Peninsula and along Medway’s northern coast. Cyclists can choose from more than 70 miles, or 110 kilometres, of cycle routes on and off road, including national and green routes. The River Medway is also a popular waterway for boat trips, watersports and sightseeing.

Events and getting there

The three-day international Rochester Sweeps Festival celebrates folk music and dance and takes place in historic Rochester. It is held annually on the first weekend in May, although official programme changes may affect the dates. If you are planning your trip around the festival, check the festival dates.

Medway has five major railway stations: Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham. Frequent services run from all of them to London Victoria and Charing Cross; check the current timetable before travelling. For geographical context, Medway is around 30 miles from London and 40 miles from the Channel ports and the Eurotunnel.

When choosing a hotel in Medway, use the focus of your trip as a guide: historic buildings, Dockyard history and museums sit alongside marshland, parks and routes. Consider which of these themes you want to prioritise during your stay, and tailor your search accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Rochester, High Halstow, Chattenden, Isle of Grain, Gillingham, Chatham, Strood, Allhallows

For the wider travel overview: South East England.