How long is the Kent Castles and Dickens Country Loop from Rochester route?

This route takes 5 days taking in 6 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Rochester, Kent to Rochester, Kent in Kent, England.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is April to October.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Easy-going. Easy-going and accessible for most fitness levels.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Hotels accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Relaxed — plenty of time to linger at each stop.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Culture, Classic road trip, Nature.

Kent Castles and Dickens Country Loop from Rochester

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The route · 6 stops

2 overnight bases · 4 stops on the way

Rochester

2 nights

Begin with two nights to explore Rochester Castle (Norman keep, 34m, c.1127), Rochester Cathedral (England's second oldest, founded 604) and Chatham Historic Dockyard 2km north - Europe's most complete Georgian dockyard. Dickens knew Rochester well; Watts's Charity almshouse on the High Street is entirely unchanged since 1579.Begin with two nights to explore Rochester Castle (Norman keep, 34m, c.1127), Rochester Cathedral (England's second oldest, founded 604) and Chatham Historic Dockyard 2km north - Europe's most complete Georgian dockyard. Dickens knew Rochester well; Watts's Charity almshouse on the High Street is entirely unchanged since 1579.

On the way

Maidstone
Kent's county town on the River Medway serves as the base for visiting Leeds Castle, 8km east, consistently described as one of the world's most beautiful moated castles. Nine hundred years of royal ownership are visible in rooms from Norman stonework to Art Deco decoration. The estate includes a maze, duckery, vineyard and lake.Kent's county town on the River Medway serves as the base for visiting Leeds Castle, 8km east, consistently described as one of the world's most beautiful moated castles. Nine hundred years of royal ownership are visible in rooms from Norman stonework to Art Deco decoration. The estate includes a maze, duckery, vineyard and lake.
Recommendations

On to Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks

2 nights

Two nights allows one day for Knole House (National Trust) and a second for the 10km drive to Chartwell, Winston Churchill's family home from 1924. Knole is one of England's largest historic houses: 365 rooms, 52 staircases and a deer park of 1,000 acres that is freely accessible at all times.Two nights allows one day for Knole House (National Trust) and a second for the 10km drive to Chartwell, Winston Churchill's family home from 1924. Knole is one of England's largest historic houses: 365 rooms, 52 staircases and a deer park of 1,000 acres that is freely accessible at all times.

On the way

Hever
A small village gives its name to Hever Castle, childhood home of Anne Boleyn and one of England's finest medieval moated castles. William Waldorf Astor restored it in 1903 and created the 30-acre Italian Garden; 800 workers excavated the 38-acre lake over two years. The village retains a medieval church and a single pub, the Henry VIII Inn.A small village gives its name to Hever Castle, childhood home of Anne Boleyn and one of England's finest medieval moated castles. William Waldorf Astor restored it in 1903 and created the 30-acre Italian Garden; 800 workers excavated the 38-acre lake over two years. The village retains a medieval church and a single pub, the Henry VIII Inn.
Recommendations
Royal Tunbridge Wells
England's first recorded spa town (chalybeate spring found 1606), Tunbridge Wells retains fine Georgian architecture. The Pantiles is a colonnaded 17th-century walk with the original chalybeate spring still flowing in summer. The sandstone High Rocks, 2km west, are an easy scramble; Penshurst Place, 12km south-west, is a moated manor of 1341.England's first recorded spa town (chalybeate spring found 1606), Tunbridge Wells retains fine Georgian architecture. The Pantiles is a colonnaded 17th-century walk with the original chalybeate spring still flowing in summer. The sandstone High Rocks, 2km west, are an easy scramble; Penshurst Place, 12km south-west, is a moated manor of 1341.
Recommendations
Rochester
Return here completes the loop. The castle esplanade gives panoramic views over the Medway at dusk, and the Victorian High Street has a good range of independent restaurants and pubs well-suited to a final evening meal before departure.Return here completes the loop. The castle esplanade gives panoramic views over the Medway at dusk, and the Victorian High Street has a good range of independent restaurants and pubs well-suited to a final evening meal before departure.

Kent Castles and Dickens Country Loop from Rochester

The route · 6 stops

Rochester

Maidstone

Sevenoaks

Hever

Royal Tunbridge Wells

Rochester

Route highlights

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Kent Castles and Dickens Country Loop from Rochester

The route · 6 stops

Rochester

Maidstone

Sevenoaks

Hever

Royal Tunbridge Wells

Rochester

Route highlights

Photos & videos · 0

No photos yet

Frequently asked questions

Ratings & reviews

Comments · 0

No comments yet

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