Marley was dead, to begin with, as dead as a doornail, why is there a special nail for doors? Is there a window nail? Never close your lips to those whom you have already opened your heart or have questions to ask, but Rochester is alive and kicking in 2021, except Dickens World that closed in 2016. The workhouses have long gone to be replaced with betting, café’s and charity shops, for the surplus population.
There are many places and names connected to his works in Rochester, England, you can just imagine the haunting words of Charles Dickens as he talks to his pet Raven at his writing desk, as his wife has gone to the counting house, again to see Mr Scrooge! As I walk around Rochester thinking that I could be standing in his footsteps, Please, sir, I want some more, but not that doggie gruel!
Rochester is steeped in history, with the shadow of the Norman tower-keep of Kentish ragstone was built about 1127 by William of Corbeil, Archbishop of Canterbury. Even King John had a go with a siege against rebel barons which lasted two months, then nicked all the stuff from the Cathedral, so that is why they call him Good King John! You hear of these names in history, but you don’t expect them on your doorstep.
The Castle now stands as an empty shell. Medway Council will pick your pocket or two, if you wish to go inside or use their car parks! (Arrive early to get a space). It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known and visit the Cathedral, built in 604 AD by Bishop Justus. With many Norman parts, who is Norman? Is he full of wisdom? It's the second-oldest Cathedral in England, as the first is Canterbury, depending on whom you talk to.
You will have to check their website as the Cathedral is in use, there are many interesting aspects of the Cathedral, there is also a small garden which is nice and relaxing. There was one other thing, the font was covered over, it did cross my mind about witches stealing holy water. I was going to ask, but the staff looked like she wouldn't know, I will have to see if there is any information on the internet. If not the building, then the history will get you. Ask no questions, and you’ll be told no lies, as Trifles make the sum of life.
The Guildhall Museum - The Rochester Guildhall was built in 1687 and is one of the finest 17th Century civic buildings in Kent. Its staircase and main hall have magnificent plaster ceilings, given in 1695 by Admiral Sir Cloudsley Shovell, who was the Member of Parliament for the city of Rochester at the time. Outside, mounted on the roof, is an amazing weather vane in the form of a fully rigged 18th-century warship. This is 1.52 m tall and weighs just under 51 kg. It is made of gilded copper and lead alloy and has weathered the ever-changing climate since 1780.
The museum was founded in 1897, in honour of Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee. It was first set up in Eastgate House further along the High Street and was moved into the Guildhall in 1979. Full of local facts, ship building, models and paintings. The Dickens exhibit is not finished, so I am disappointed on that note.
Tiny Tim's Tearooms - Spirit, tell me if Tiny Tim will live. Well, Tiny Tim's Tearooms lives in the High Street if that is any good. There are mixed reviews on Tripadvisor so have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts, unless you come across rude staff. Consider nothing impossible, then treat possibilities as probabilities. This was packed to the rafters so pick a good time to go, also it’s just off the main High Street, easy to walk by it.
Huguenots Museum - Louis XIV’s revocation in 1685 of the Edict of Nantes in which the French State effectively outlawed its entire Protestant community resulted in around 200,000 Huguenots finding sanctuary in England. Many settled in Kent and in the Spitalfields district of London, where they left their mark as weavers and lace makers. A service Is said in French at Canterbury Cathedral every Sunday to this day. At least one in six of Britain’s current population can trace some Huguenot origins.
Surprising then that the Huguenot Museum in Rochester is the first to tell their story of integration into British society. Appropriate that it is on the site of a hospital which provided refuge to Huguenots émigrés and their descendants. It was opened by Princess Alexandra in 2015. It has three sections: their persecution in France, arrival in England, and the various skills and trades they brought with them. Furthermore, it is a story told through visual displays, objects and works of art. Check opening times as this was closed.
Eastgate House - This is a really beautiful house, but I expect very few people know that it has been reopened (in 2017) the house is on Rochester High Street, but there are no signs at all on the gates, and it is only when you use the cut through to the car park that the sign is there to say "open". That meant we had the whole house to ourselves, but they really do need to put a sign out front. 2.2 million pounds has been spent on refurbishing it, but I still think it looks unfinished.
In Dickens' day it was a school and the "classroom" had just 3 desks and a small blackboard. So, hardly a classroom. One of the upstairs rooms has a clothes rail of old-fashioned clothes and a mirror, nothing else. It would be so much better if the rooms had period furniture to bring it to life a bit more.
There is so much history to this house, and it is a shame that this lovely house doesn't show that. Instead, it is just a maze of almost empty rooms. It is such a shame as this would be brilliant with a bit more thought. You can do the whole visit in less than 30 minutes, there is a small garden at the rear, it’s a nice spot to eat your lunch, I had a Cornish pasty from a local shop. You will have to wait if you want it hot! Furthermore, you also get a better look at Dickens Swiss Chalet, it needs TLC and is fenced off.
Gad’s Hill Place - When he was a boy Charles Dickens and his father took a walk through Kent and on Gravesend Road, Higham they passed a house called Gad’s Hill Place, a young Charles was very impressed. He bought the house in 1856 and lived there until his death in 1870.
Gad’s Hill is a Grade 1 listed 18th Century house with alterations made by Dickens to accommodate his family’s needs. Whilst at Gad’s Hill Dickens wrote his last four novels, including Great Expectations and A Tale of Two Cities. He died at Gad’s whilst working on his final book, The Mystery of Edward Drood.
I have passed the house on many occasions and never realized it belonged to Charles Dickens, it is owned now by a school and was talked about turning it into a museum. I think the school is sitting on a gold mine. If it was fully restored, people would flock pigeons to see Dickens' house.
The Swiss Chalet where Dickens wrote many works, it used to be opposite the road with an underpass for access, the Swiss Chalet is now in the grounds of Eastgate House in Rochester High Street. Talking of the High Street, I’m surprised more shops etc... are not cashing in on looking like from Dickens time to attract more visitors as I am sure they would.
Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth on the 7th of February 1812, on the 8th June 1870 in the dining room at Gad's Hill Place, Charles Dickens suffered a stroke. He died the next day, leaving his final book, 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' unfinished. His resting place is a small stone with a simple inscription marks the grave of Charles Dickens, in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey.
My story must come to an end, my suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape. God bless us, every one or Bah, It’s humbug still! I won’t believe it.
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