Charles Dickens Full-Day Private Tour in Rochester

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Rochester Castle

Located on the east bank of the Medway River in Rochester, Rochester Castle. One of the best-preserved in England and France is the 12th-century control or stone tower, which is the most significant feature of the castle. The chateau, designed in the stone by Bishop Gundulf of Rochester, was one of the earliest buildings in England constructed to control an important crossing of the river in 1080. In the 11th century, Normans introduced the Castles to England and their building enabled the Normans to defend their new territories in the wake of the conquest of 1066. Built on the site of a Roman town at the junction of Medway River and Roman road, Rochester was an important town. This helped secure the southeastern coast of England from invasion during the late mediaeval period. In the aftermath of the Norman Conquest, the first castle was built at Rochester. In 1127 Henry I entrusted it to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who began to build the great keep – a masterpiece of medieval architecture, and the tallest such building to survive in Europe. The castle suffered three assaults and, by the time one corner of the guard was demolished, a prominent attack of King John in 1215. Although in the late Middle Ages the fortified city was obsolete and lost in the 17th century, it remains a powerful symbol of mediaeval secular influence. Your Tourope UK's APTG qualified Blue Badge guide will tell you the whole history of this masterpiece during the Norman invasion, King John's reign, 13th century, late medieval and Tudor decline and the fire which gave damage in 1660. You will understand one of the most important castles out of three apart from Canterbury and Dover Castles.

Rochester Cathedral

England's second oldest cathedral founded in AD 604 is also Home of Textus Roffensis, the only existing written copy of the first code of English law. Everyone has heard of Magna Carta and the Domesday Book, but the Textus Roffensis was produced at Rochester Cathedral around 1123–24. 100 years earlier than Magna Carta. It is a manuscript to rival any in historical and cultural importance. This is breath-taking. It contains a unique copy of William the Conqueror’s law of trial by combat, which was used to settle disputes between Englishmen and Frenchmen. Rochester Cathedral is the perfect example of the Norman architecture and officially known as the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rochester. It's the second important and oldest bishopric in England after the Archbishop of Canterbury. Through a splendid doorway to 14th century, you will discover the Cathedral library with an extraordinarily rare and historical collection of books, manuscripts, photos and lanterns, some of which date from the 12th century with Tourope UK's APTG qualified tourist guide. The magnificent architecture is a part of the history and heritage of this lovely Cathedral. The walls are echoing with a thousand-years of prayer. It is Rochester's spiritual home though. During our tour, we will also mention one of the greatest architects of the Norman era: Gundulf. Gundulf was a Norman monk who went after the conquest to England. He has been elected Bishop of Rochester and there Prior of the Priory of the Cathedral. He built many castles, among which are Rochester, Colchester and the Tower of London, White Tower and the Rochester Cathedral.

Restoration House

Today we will reveal one of the hidden gems in the city. Restoration House is home of restoration period during Charles II reign who was the son of executed King Charles I. On 25 May 1660, Charles had arrived at Dover, and he left Rochester on the evening of the 28th. He was welcomed by the mayor and retired to Colonel Gibbon's residence for the night. Charles continued to London the next day and on his 30th birthday, 29 May, was crowned King although Colonel Gibbon's house was owned by Sir Francis Clerke, a fact that in the past has been a source of controversy. Restoration House, as we see it today, is the amalgamation of two mediaeval buildings that were merged in the late 16th or early 17th century to create a mansion house just outside the southeastern corner of the city wall. Located in the heart of historic Rochester, the house takes its name from King Charles II's stay on Restoration Eve. It's also Dickens' "Great Expectations" Satis House, Miss Havisham's house. We closely know that Charles II used Windsor Castle heavily for his massive key plan for the restoration but Restoration House is also another important venue for his personal efforts. The decorative scheme provides interesting examples of trendy Continental taste seen through local eyes at a period when Cromwell had overruled these trends. Cromwell never liked the art and art-related living style because of his material approach. You can see and feel Charles II's magical touch of the beautifully poetically decorated interior with wonderful English furniture collection and paintings, including some Gainsboroughs and Reynolds, as well as rare Constable Portraits, with strong English pottery and treen range. The deliciously restored one-acre twin-walled gardens are now complemented by the continuing renaissance garden renovation. The image was everything during the restoration period in order to express the goodness of the monarchy. The garden has a classic English theme, with pristine raspberries, yew hedges, topiary and beautiful geometric parterre. This beautiful garden also provided flowers for the house arrangements. Restoration House has limited access on some days and hours during the week. Please check the time schedule with us before you book this tour.

Eastgate House

In the footsteps of Charles Dickens, an Elizabethan townhouse listed as Grade-I will be our next visit venue, Charles Dickens’ famous Eastgate House. Dickens used this house in several novels such as Westgate in The Pickwick Papers and as the Nun's House in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Completed in 1590, Eastgate House is one of the most remarkable and iconic townhouse buildings from the 16th of the century on Rochester's historical High Street. Originally used as a family home for the Buck family for five generations, it also acted as a boarding school for girls, public library and recently museum and centre to serve the famous English writer and social critic Charles Dickens. Most of the original design and architectural structures of the building have been carefully redesigned and new heating and lighting installed. Access was significantly improved with a modern elevator on the back of the building and for the first time in more than 40 years the second floor of the house will be open to visitors. The house was opened to the public in a series of thrilling displays on July 19, 2017, which tell the tale of this magnificent building and its people who spent 400 years in history. Today we will travel through the history of this lovely Elizabethian building associated with Charles Dickens.