Rochester Castle, Kent

Rochester Castle is a well preserved 12th-century keep or stone tower, on the banks of the River Medway. During the medieval period Rochester Castle helped protect England's south-east coast from invasion.

Between 1087 and 1089 the king asked Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester, to build a new stone castle, to replace the earlier wooded construction at Rochester. He established the current extent of the castle. Though much altered through the centuries, some parts of this 11th century work survives.

In 1127 King Henry I granted the castle to the Bishops of Canterbury in perpetuity. William de Corbeil built the massive keep that still dominates the castle today. Throughout the 12th century the castle remained in the custody of the archbishops.

During the First Barons' War (1215–1217) in King John's reign, baronial forces captured the castle from Archbishop Stephen Langton and held it against the king. After resisting for just over seven weeks, the garrison surrendered. The castle had been greatly damaged, with breaches in the outer walls and one corner of the keep collapsed. The castle did not stay under John's control for long and in 1216 it was captured by the French Prince Louis. John died and was succeeded by his son King Henry III in 1216; the next year, the war ended and the castle was taken under direct royal control.

Rochester was besieged for the third time in 1264 during the Second Barons' War (1264–1267). Again the castle resisted, though this time with a different outcome. After a week, the rebel armies raised the siege in the face of relief from Henry himself. But once again the castle suffered extensive damage.. The castle saw military action for the last time in 1381 when it was captured and ransacked during the Peasants' Revolt. As Rochester Castle fell out of use its materials were reused elsewhere and custodianship relinquished by the Crown. The castle was opened to the public in the 1870s as a park. At various points during the 19th and 20th centuries repairs were carried out.

(Photograph courtesy of Trish & Chris Seymour).

Opening Times

Daily: 10am to 4pm.

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Ticket Prices

Adults: £5.50
Children: £3.50
Concessions: £3.50
Family Ticket: £14.50
EH Member: Free

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Disabled Facilities

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