Rochester

Visited 1st August 2004--------

Report by Shimmer & Midgey

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Due to moving offices and various other things occuring, this was the first trip of note we had this year. This is also the first excursion we went on with our best friend Paul (Jetsonik), which made a different from sitting in a coach with a load of old people, desperately hoping that someone wouldn't croak until we got back. We chose Rochester, as we've seen the castle mentioned several times on history programmes, and a couple of friends recommended the town to us.

The drive to Rochester from Wickford was very straightforward, with minimal navigation required by me, and as soon as we started crossing the bridge in Rochester, the castle was very evident. Parking was okay, and being a Sunday free, which was a result. Opposite the castle is the very impressive Catherdral, which I imagine is very handy if you are a God-botherer. However, it didn't look open to us, and if it was you'd probably have to have a bit of a sing-along with the people inside, it being a Sunday and all.

Upon entering the grounds, we had a quick reccie and found a ropey-looking hot-dog stall, a poorly constructed cannon and a small marquee that served no apparent purpose. The view was great though, almost as good as the view from the battlements later.

This is a bigger, more impressive place than some castles we've been to, so I was hoping there would be a decent shop so I could find Shims an extra birthday present as he collects the minature helmets that English Heritage often sell.

It was about this time that Jet's digital camera died. Apparent it eats batteries faster than he himself eats Big Macs. Jet had to forage for some replacements in the town whilst Midgey and I checked out the shop. Shop? I'd barely call it a shop, not only did they not sell batteries, there was very little there at all. In fact the only decent buy was the guide, which has some great pics in it which Shims will probably nick for this report.

Although there is only the shell of the building remaining intact, you can walk from the ground, around the inside of the castle wall and up to the battlements. There are a few rooms that have models of how the castle used to look and pictures explaining what the different areas were used for (Click here to see this). There is also a lot of history involved with the castle, and an intriguing ghost story (Click here to read those). There's not an awful lot to see, but on a warm day, it's refreshingly cool all the way up, especially when you come to an open area as the wind rushes through the castle remains. I notice that he's not mentioning that he made me walk up lots of wooden slatted stairs and then all 100ft up the castle round those spiral stairs that castles tend to have! I was scared witless and was shaking by the time we left the castle but at least I did it.

After exploring the keep we had built up a hunger and descended on the nearby ropey-looking fast food stand. Sarah and I had hot dogs, or more accurately tepid dogs, not particularly tasty and worryingly chewy. Surprisingly, Jet had a burger. A not quite properly frozen choccolate ice helped soften the blow, then we were off exploring the shops. Didn't end up buying much apart from a few overpriced second hand books, but interesting enough looking round to see what was available, although being a Sunday some of the shops were closed.

All in all, a good day out, especially for those with a historical interest, although the most excitement we had was Jet jumping up and down on a creaking wooden platform above a pit to see if would hold his weight. You call that exciting? I call that scary, which was why he did it! I would recommend trying a day when the shops are open as there are quite a few selling unusual items that would make good souvenirs.