Welcome to Rochester

The cathedral city of Rochester is located on the south bank of the River Medway, in the county of Kent, approximately 26 miles east-south-east of London and 8 miles north of Maidstone.

The town has a population of around 24,300. Administratively it is within the Borough of Medway which covers an area of approximately 192 sq kms and which has a population of around 251,000.

This ancient and once fortified city, which guarded the Medway, is a busy port and thriving industrial and commercial centre which retains many notable historic buildings, including its 12th-century cathedral and magnificent Norman castle keep which overlooks the town. Rochester has strong associations with Charles Dickens, a long-time resident who featured the town many times in his works.

The town's history dates from Roman times when they built a walled city here which the Saxons re-fortified during the 6th and 7th centuries. However the Celtic settlement of Durobruae predates this and it is likely there was prehistoric settlement here. In the 11th centry the cathedral and stone castle were built by Bishop Gundulf. Rochester has always been of great strategic importance because of its position at the confluence of the Rivers Thames and Medway and, during the Napoleonic Wars it was surrounded by a circle of forts. Charles Dickens lived nearby and many of his novels are based upon the town and its surroundings.

Historically the town's economy was based upon its naval importance, with shipbuilding and marine industries. Today the service industry is the largest sector of the local economy, employing 65% of all workers.

The Celtic settlement here was called Durobruae which means 'the bridges of the stronghold', and which the Romans later called Durobrivae. Following the Roman departure, the Anglo-Saxons changed the name to Hrofesceaster, from which the present name derives.