WALK : HISTORIC ROCHESTER and CHATHAM.

A circular walk taking in part of the River Medway, historic Rochester and Chatham.

Rochester and Chatham are the towns where Charles Dicken's spent much of his life, firstly as a child (1817 to 1823) at 18 St. Mary's Place and 2 Ordnance Terrace (now no 11), and later at nearby Gadds Hill Place, a mansion used by Dickens between 1860 and 1870 as his country residence, where he wrote his novels, until his death at Gadds Hill.

The Swiss Chalet gifted to Charles Dickens by one of his writer friends (the precursor of Ikea flatpacks) was erected in the grounds of his country residence at Gadd's Hill Place. Dickens used the Swiss Chalet for peace and quietness to assist with his writing. The Swiss Chalet now can be seen as it stands in the garden of Eastgate House.

Many of Dicken's novels were indeed inspired by, created and written in Rochester. Eastgate House in Rochester High Street features in the 'Pickwick Papers' and as the Nun's House in the unfinished 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood'.

Restoration House (named after the stopover by Charles II en-route to London for restoration of the crown on 29th May 1660) was also the model for Ms Havisham's Satis House in 'Great Expectations'.

We walk down the historic Rochester High Street allows the visitor to get a feeling for the medieval days now long gone. Among the atmospheric buildings are Sir Christopher Wren's Guildhall, Eastgate House, and the Corn Exchange.can be seen in Rochester High Street.

Our walk will also take us past various historic almshouse, The Vines, now a park, but previously a vineyard tended by the monks of the nearby St. Andrews Priory. It was said that Charles Dickens was last seen walking in The Vines just three days before his death. Our walk will also pass Rochester Castle and Rochester Cathedral.

Finally we extend of our walk to Chatham where the remains of the historic defences of the naval dockyard can be seen including the barrier ditches and Chatham Lines.

WALK STARTING POINT: Meet at 12.00 noon outside Rochester Station.
WALK STOPPING OUT POINTS: Easy exit points throughout.
WALK END POINT: Rochester Station.
WALK DISTANCE: Approx. 4.5 miles at a moderate pace. There are some hills.

RISKS: Please dress appropriately for prevalent weather conditions and carry a bottle of water and necessary medication. You need to be moderately fit for this walk and be able to walk for four miles without a break. In these walks we use; pavements, cross busy roads, public parkland, towpaths alongside water, other public paths, rights of way, bridlepaths, country lanes and other established paths and tracks through woodland, bush and countryside. Please only wear good sturdy shoes, preferably walking boots and take care as surfaces may be uneven, tree roots may protrude, there may be low overhanging branches and some paths are also used by joggers and cyclists and sometimes cars (country lanes). Some tracks may be muddy and slippery. Farm and wild animals may also occasionally be encountered en-route. If you require insurance for these walks then you must arrange this yourself.

Unfortunately no large dogs and small children are allowed on these walks.

WHAT IF THE WEATHER'S BAD - Light rain is not a problem. However if torrential rain is forecast please check this page on the morning of the walk for an update.

COST: Free for holders of the Ken's Events Card. Otherwise there is a £5 fee.

WANT TO COME ON ANOTHER WALK:
For a list of future walks please see[ https://www.meetup.com/KENS-EVENTS-EXPLORE-LONDON-SECRETS/events/](https://www.meetup.com/KENS-EVENTS-EXPLORE-LONDON-SECRETS/events/)

If walking and hiking is your thing, this is the event for you!

When you arrive at the station look for Ken with the 'KEN'S EVENTS/Meetup Badge/Sign. .

Plan your journey, with TFL's
Journey Planner (http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/)

All Ken's Events are subject to a disclaimer. Please click here
https://www.meetup.com/kens-events-explore-london-secrets/
to find out more about Kens Events/Walks and click on 'read more' to see full disclaimer.

Please arrive in good time to allow opportunity to use toilets at the start of the walk as there may not be any toilet breaks readily available during the walk.

If weekday and evening walks are your thing, then you should join Ken's Weekday and Evenings Walking Group. Click here for more information. [(https://www.meetup.com/KENS-WEEKDAY-EVENING-WALKS/)](https://www.meetup.com/KENS-WEEKDAY-EVENING-WALKS/)

KEN'S EVENTS also has a Facebook page and Twitter account. See http://www.facebook.com/Kens.events
and http://www.twitter.com/KenEvents/