At the beginning of September, we made a trip to England.
We had moved to Rochester from Plymouth exactly five years ago and thought visiting the town of Rochester, England, would be interesting.
Rochester, Massachusetts was officially incorporated on June 4, 1686, as Rochester, named for Rochester, England, from which early settlers to the town came.Rochester was founded on lands called “Sippican” by the local Wampanoags.
The English town is located in the county of Kent, about 20 miles southeast of London. The town is lovely. Rochester is the second-oldest diocese in England, with a medieval castle built during the reign of Henry I in the 1120s along on the River Medway.
The castle has survived in amazing condition. Consisting of three floors above a basement, the magnificent ruin still stands 113 feet high. The lawns around the castle are used for play and picnicking by local residents and their children.
Directly across from the castle is Rochester Cathedral, which dates mostly from the 12th and 13th centuries and is said to be the second oldest cathedral in England. It was built at the transition between Norman and early English Gothic architecture, and the cathedral merges both styles. Rochester Cathedral has an active program of concerts, exhibitions and activities throughout the year.
We spent part of a day taking photos in and around the castle and cathedral and strolling the shops and restaurants in the lovely town. The town holds festivals during the year, including two festivals held in Charles Dickens’ honor, the Dickens and Dickensian Christmas Festival.
The town boasts connections to Charles Dickens. It’s a lovely place to visit when you are in the south of England.
Dr. and Mrs. Ken Laytin