Rochester is a compact historic town in the unitary authority of Medway in Kent, England, sitting on the south bank of the River Medway between Chatham and Strood. It lies within easy commuting distance of London and has good rail and road links, while its riverside position and medieval street plan give it a very distinctive sense of place.
The town has Roman roots and a long medieval pedigree: the bishopric and Rochester Cathedral date back to the early 7th century and the great Norman keep of Rochester Castle still dominates the skyline. Rochester’s historic high street, close links with nearby Chatham Dockyard and its strong Charles Dickens associations (celebrated each year at the Dickens festival) mean the local economy mixes tourism, independent retail and services with commuter households and light industry.
Postcode districts covering Rochester
Most populated places nearby
- Southend-on-Sea 15.3 miles
- Bexley 15.8 miles
- Croydon 24.5 miles
- Basildon 12.8 miles
- Chelmsford 24.3 miles
- Maidstone 7.8 miles
- Gillingham 4 miles
- Grays 9.7 miles
- Chatham 2.4 miles
- Royal Tunbridge Wells 19.4 miles
- Ashford 23.6 miles
- Barking and Dagenham 19.5 miles
Neighbouring places
- Rochester West & Borstal Ward 0.7 miles
- Strood West Ward 0.9 miles
- Rochester East & Warren Wood Ward 1.1 miles
- Strood North & Frindsbury Ward 1.2 miles
- Fort Pitt Ward 1.5 miles
- Cuxton, Halling & Riverside Ward 1.6 miles
- Cuxton Built-up area 1.6 miles
- Frindsbury Extra Parish 1.8 miles
- Chatham Central & Brompton Ward 1.9 miles
- Wouldham Parish 2.2 miles
- Fort Horsted Ward 2.4 miles
- Chatham Built-up area 2.4 miles
Example postcodes in Rochester
ME1 9LZ, ME1 1AD, ME1 1TB, ME1 3JF, ME1 3AF, ME2 3TX, ME1 1GQ, ME2 2XJ, ME2 2HL … See all
Transport links
- London Southend Airport 15.8 miles
- London City Airport 20.4 miles
- Rochester Railway Station 1.1 miles
- Strood Railway Station 1.1 miles
Hotels in Rochester Ad
- Holiday Inn Rochester-Chatham 4
- Hotel Trivelles Rochester
- The Royal Victoria & Bull Hotel
- Premier Inn Rochester 3
- Host & Stay | Roach Street
Schools in Rochester
- Abbey Court Foundation Special School Special
- All Faiths Children's Academy Primary
- Balfour Infant School Primary
- Balfour Junior School Primary
- Bligh Primary School (Infants) Primary
- Bligh Primary School (Juniors) Primary
- Cedar Children's Academy Primary
- Crest Infant School Primary
- English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School Primary
- Gordons Children's Academy, Infant Primary
- Hilltop Primary School Primary
- King's School, Rochester Independent - all ages
- Leigh Academy Strood Secondary
- Ripplevale School Rochester Independent - special
- Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School Secondary
- St Andrew's School (Rochester) Independent - primary
- St Margaret's at Troy Town C of E Voluntary Controlled Primary School Primary
- St Nicholas CEVC Primary School Primary
- St Peter's Infant School Primary
- … See all
Local points of interest
- University for the Creative Arts - Rochester University 1.2 miles
- Spotlites at Kings Theatre Theatre 1.9 miles
- University of Greenwich - Medway University 2.5 miles
- MidKent College - Medway College 2.7 miles
- Priestfield Stadium Stadium 3.2 miles
- Boxley Hills Hill 5.2 miles
- Boxley Abbey Historic site 5.9 miles
- University for the Creative Arts - Maidstone University 7.7 miles
- Brands Hatch Recreation 9.8 miles
- Blue Water Shopping centre 10.1 miles
- Canvey Island Heritage Centre & Museum Museum 10.1 miles
- Yantlet beach Beach 10.2 miles