The Rochester Guildhall was built in 1687 and is one of the finest 17th-century civic buildings in K
Operating as usual
Yesterday it was our honour to present Laurence with his Bronze Wheels of Time badge. He told us all about the wonderful museums he has visited & that he has highlighted a lot to visit in the future. Congratulations Laurence, we’re so pleased you are enjoying the scheme.
And we are one of those venues.
💘 Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate all the couples who tied the knot with us in 2022!
has many enchanting and memorable spots for an unforgettable occasion. 🏰💍
Check out our wedding brochure for more info: https://orlo.uk/n6d9i
This half-term week at The Guildhall Museum, why not make your Valentine a mosaic heart? ❤️🧡💛💚💙
📅Tue 14, 10am - 4pm
📅Wed 15, 10am - 4pm
📅Thu 16, 10am - 4pm
📅Fri 17, 10am - 3pm
Admission is free, as well as the activity.
Photos from Medway Council's post
Our sister site is open today. Why not pop along?
Today we are open from 11 to 3 (Saturday 4th February)
🗣 Did you attend a festive event in ? Let us know what you thought of Rochester Christmas Market and the Dickensian Christmas Festival, for the chance to win a family ticket to Medway's new food festival this spring.
🎁 Complete our short survey and you will be automatically entered in a prize draw, where one lucky winner will receive a family ticket to Medway Food & Drink Festival, 31 Mar - 2 Apr, in Rochester Castle Gardens.
💬 Start Now: https://orlo.uk/HnHpm
Zoom Events
🗣 Did you attend a festive event in ? Let us know what you thought of Rochester Christmas Market and the Dickensian Christmas Festival, for the chance to win a family ticket to Medway's new food festival this spring.
🎁 Complete our short survey and you will be automatically entered in a prize draw, where one lucky winner will receive a family ticket to Medway Food & Drink Festival, 31 Mar - 2 Apr, in Rochester Castle Gardens.
💬 Start Now: https://orlo.uk/Kx9YS
Zoom Events
🗣 Did you attend a festive event in ? Let us know what you thought of Rochester Christmas Market and the Dickensian Christmas Festival, for the chance to win a family ticket to Medway's new food festival this spring.
🎁 Complete our short survey and you will be automatically entered in a prize draw, where one lucky winner will receive a family ticket to Medway Food & Drink Festival, 31 Mar - 2 Apr, in Rochester Castle Gardens.
💬 Start Now: https://orlo.uk/uBrnx
Zoom Events
🗣 Did you attend a festive event in ? Let us know what you thought of Rochester Christmas Market and the Dickensian Christmas Festival, for the chance to win a family ticket to Medway's new food festival this spring.
🎁 Complete our short survey and you will be automatically entered in a prize draw, where one lucky winner will receive a family ticket to Medway Food & Drink Festival, 31 Mar - 2 Apr, in Rochester Castle Gardens.
💬 Start Now: https://orlo.uk/0YXQN
Zoom Events
The Guildhall is bursting with character and charm, creating a truly captivating setting for your wedding.
Built in 1687, it has been a town hall, entertainment venue, court and a council chamber. Now a museum, it displays more than 250,000 years of Medway’s history, making it an ideal option if you’re looking for something truly unique.
Find out more about weddings at The Guildhall: https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200274/the_guildhall_museum
Our main chamber looking festive, thanks to our museum elves.
Hot off the press! This Dickensian Christmas weekend pick yourself up a copy of “The making of Mr Dickens” the book accompanying our exhibition & celebrating Charles Dickens’ love of Medway. Available at the museum shop alongside lots of fantastic Christmas gift ideas.
Visit Kent VisitEngland Visit Medway Christmas in Medway
Photos from Visit Medway's post
Looking for something to do with the children this half term? Our Halloween Trail starts tomorrow!
Spot the eerie body parts around the museum & collect a badge.
Visit Rochester Castle, Upnor Castle, Medway, Temple Manor & Eastgate House, Rochester to collect all the spooky badges.
Visit Medway Visit Kent VisitEngland English Heritage
On this day in 1704 Sir Cloudesley Shovell’s ship, the Association, collided with a rock near the Isles of Scilly. 800 members of its crew were lost, but Sir Cloudesley survived…albeit for a short while. Legend has it he was discovered by a treasure hunter who murdered him for his ring, an emerald set in diamonds.
Sir Cloudesley was a Rochester MP & rose through the ranks of the navy to become Rear Admiral of England & Commander-in-Chief of the British fleet. He paid for the ornate plaster ceiling in our Guildhall Chamber, which visitors can still see today.
Photos from Kent Attractions's post
Thanks for visiting us & for your lovely review.
Where will you visit?
The Kent Big Day Out is back. The ballot is open and there are thousands of tickets for free days out throughout autumn. Enter now. https://bit.ly/3bSLx38
We’re so grateful to have been part of their special day.
🌈We’d love to say a huge congratulations to the new Mrs & Mrs Pinnick!
After getting married at The Guildhall Museum, Carly and Mandy partied at Medway Pride on Saturday (20 August) before going to their wedding reception.
Carly said: “We couldn’t have planned for a better day and weren’t expecting the amazing reception we got at Medway Pride. We want to thank everyone for making our day so special, not just for us but for our family and friends also. Most of our family members haven’t experienced a pride event before and they absolutely loved it.”
📸 Rachel Evans
Find out more about getting married in : https://orlo.uk/zKBZd
🌈
All about the Iron Age!
The wonderful people at Canterbury Archaeological Trust are joining us for a special day on Thursday 28 July. Find out all about the recent work at Rochester Airport ⛏🦺.
https://www.canterburytrust.co.uk/post/one-day-event
Visit all 5 of our heritage sites this summer to collect your badges & to be in with a chance of winning tickets for attractions across Medway.
Today is the final day to enjoy our Great Expectations trail around the museum.
Enjoy Medway Visit Medway Visit Kent
An amazing day all around! It was a pleasure to have HRH The Duchess of Cornwall at the museum today Visit Medway Visit Kent Enjoy Medway
Wonderful experience for local pupils today
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall joined schoolchildren from St Margaret's at Troy Town C of E Primary School and read an extract from Great Expectations with Gerald Dickens – Charles Dickens’ great, great grandson!
Her Royal Highness then answered questions from the children and talked about her passion for books, the importance of reading and why authors such as Dickens are so important in bringing our country’s history to life.
A very exciting afternoon the Guildhall Museum today
We’re delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall to ’s Guildhall Museum this afternoon (2 Feb).
Her Royal Highness was greeted by characters in Victorian costume from The Rochester and Chatham Dickens Fellowship.
Her Royal Highness will be opening a new permanent exhibition at the museum which tells the story of one of England’s finest and most celebrated writers and Medway resident, Charles Dickens.
The Making of Mr Dickens exhibition opens to the public on Tuesday, 8 February.
Timeline photos
Just over three weeks to go until Rochester becomes a spectacular festival of light!🎉💫
Wander along Rochester's historic high street and delve into what's on offer. From a lantern parade, film projections, artworks, dance performances and live music, plus lots more https://orlo.uk/OS5HB 💫
🕐Local businesses including the Visitor Information Centre, Eastgate House, The Guildhall Museum will be open later than usual on these nights.
📆Friday, 11 and Saturday, 12 February from 6 to 9pm (performances start at 6pm)
Happy New Year to all our visitors! We look forward to welcoming you to the museum throughout 2022.
https://www.visitmedway.org/attractions/rochester-guildhall-museum-2132/
Wishing all our visitors a very Merry Christmas!
Looking for Christmas gift ideas? Look no further than our heritage shops for lovely & unusual gifts for all the family at Eastgate House, Rochester Castle, the Guildhall Museum & the Visitor Information Centre.
Plus there’s a 10% discount voucher in the Winter Medway Matters What’s On guide (p25) so don’t miss out!
Enjoy Medway Visit Medway Visit Kent
Welcome to Rochester! We look forward to seeing you at the museum today
Don’t forget to visit us if you’re out and about for the Rochester Christmas Market today & the Dickensian Christmas Festival this weekend. We hope you enjoy all the festivities!
Visit Kent Visit Medway Enjoy Medway
The Rochester Dickensian Festival kicks off this weekend ✨
With costumed characters from the works of Charles Dickens, parades, street entertainment, open-air carol concerts and a host of Victorian delights to look forward to, yule be sorry if you miss out on this!🎄
Find out more ➡️ https://orlo.uk/JPliL
Our colleagues at Eastgate House have something you might like to see during the festive season!
Join us for this week for bags of fun with our trail & crafts.
Plus there’s activities Rochester Castle, Upnor Castle, & Eastgate House, which is reopening today!
Visit Medway Enjoy Medway Visit Kent English Heritage
Something to note if planning a visit to Upnor Castle, Medway over the next two days
***Important changes to our opening times for visitors for Friday 27 & Saturday 28 August***
Due to events in the castle, visitor opening times will be limited to the following times on the following days:
Friday 27 Aug: open 10am to 12.30pm last entry 11.45am
Saturday 28 Aug: open 2.30pm to 5pm last entry 4.15pm
We are sorry for any inconvenience caused. We will be open as usual on Sunday 29 August, 10am to 5pm and on Bank Holiday Monday too.
Visit Medway Enjoy Medway Visit Kent English Heritage
Looking for something to do with all the family this Bank Holiday? Come along to Rochester Castle gardens for a Dicken’s themed day!
Rochester Castle Gardens
Medway is competition ready and we’re proud to be supporting Medway 2025's bid to become UK City of Culture 2025 🎇🎉
Medway has so much to offer and shout about 📢
👀 Who is ready to ?
Find out more - https://orlo.uk/ULXzG
If you're joining the mischievous sprites of Changeling Theatre for this evening's performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Rochester Castle, please note that there will be NO REFRESHMENTS/DRINKS ON SALE at the castle. Please also remember to bring your picnic, blanket, chairs, warm clothing, dancing shoes(!) to make your evening as enjoyable as possible.
Are you joining Alice for her adventures in Wonderland at Upnor Castle today? Don't forget to bring something warm to wear, something comfy to sit on, and maybe a flask of something hot to drink (we only have ice creams for sale at the castle this evening).
Exciting news from Upnor Castle, Medway
We are very excited to be reopening today! We look forward to welcoming visitors from 10am. The site is looking lovely, our shop is stocked with lots of gifts, & we have a great range of ice creams & lollies to enjoy.
Visit Medway English Heritage Visit Kent Enjoy Medway
If you're joining the mischievous sprites at Upnor Casle for this evening's performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream, please note that, apart from a selection of ice creams and ice lollies, there will be NO REFRESHMENTS/DRINKS ON SALE at the castle. Please also remember to bring your picnic blanket/chairs/warm clothing to make your evening as comfortable as possible.
17 High Street
Rochester
ME11PY
| Tuesday | 10am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 10am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 10am - 5pm |
| Friday | 10am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 5pm |
| Sunday | 10am - 5pm |
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Our colleagues at Eastgate House have something you might like to see during the festive season!
In our second film for today Dr Jeremy Clarke tells us the fascinating story of the private life of Charles Dickens. His childhood in Chatham, his love of the theatre and his return to Medway in later life. Find out even more about Dickens150 at https://www.medway.gov.uk/dickens150.
Today we have two films for you to watch. This first one takes us on a walk around Rochester and shows us the locations that Charles Dickens knew and loved, many of which he used in his stories. Don't forget to check out https://www.medway.gov.uk/dickens150 where you'll find even more Dickens150 information and fun things to do.
Jeremy’s latest talk, this time he tells us all about the hustle and bustle of Chatham over the past two hundred years. If you think going for a night out or doing a bit of retail therapy are all new ideas.....think again!
Welcome to a new week and more fantastic talks from Jeremy. Today we explore the Anglo-Saxons, and make sure you watch right to the end as Jeremy breaks his own rules!
Ok everybody, the wait is over! Here's the second talk by Dr Jeremy Clark, this time it's all about the Bronze Age. Don't forget to let us know what you think of this talk, and keep an eye out for more talks appearing on Friday.
Something very special for you today...the first in a short series of bitesize Medway history lessons from our very own Education Officer, Jeremy. This one is all about the Stone Age, and later in the week Jeremy will be talking about the Bronze Age and then after that, the Romans. Let us know what you think!
Thanks to everyone who has made a lovely boat for our paper river. We’ve got boats with cats, boats with flags and even a boat carrying fruit – and it all starts with an egg box! There’s plenty of time to join in the fun - the river boat craft activity runs on Fri 16 Aug, Tue 20 to Fri 23 Aug and Tue 27 to Fri 30 Aug, 10.30am to 3.30pm. 80p per child (includes materials), free entry to the museum. See you there, shipmates!
The Penny Farthing arriving safely at its new holiday home for the summer - Rochester Visitor Information Centre.
Friends of the Guildhall Museums
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