Rochester Castle, Kent

24th June 2015
1066 - original castle, constructed of timber, was thought to have been built by William the Conqueror
1088 - siege in which castle was damaged. Under command of William II, Gundulf Bishop of Rochester rebuilt
1127 - Henry I entrusts castle custody to Archbishops of Canterbury, William de Corbeil builds a stone keep
1211 onwards - tension between Stephen Langton (Archbishop of Canterbury) and King John
1215- following the agreement of the Magna Carta by King John and the barons, the arrangement collapsed and the king's enemy controlled the castle. they eventually surrendered as a result of starvation
1216 - castle back in rebel hands until 1217 - where the country had a new king, Henry III
1226 - castle keep repaired
Henry III is a regular visitor to Rochester castle
1264 - Henry III's authority was challenged by the barons and the castle was at the heart of this particular siege. Simon de Montfort, leader of the rebel barons captured the castle
1265 - Henry III regained control of his castle (and kingdom)
1314 - Elizabeth, Robert the Bruce's wife is imprisoned at the castle
1363 - castle badly damaged by a storm
1367 - castle repaired from storm damage
1559 - 1600 - Queen Elizabeth I ordered stone to be taken from Rochester to Upnor for the building of the castle there
1610 - castle granted to Sir Anthony Weldon by James I
Civil War - castle was Parliamentary and saw little actions
1700s onwards- castle fell into ruin 

This castle was awesome and has definitely entered our top ten. The layout of the castle is very easy to follow and it is difficult to miss anything out. The audio tour was very good. The work done to the castle inserted platforms around the tall keep allows you to view and admire the castle in the best way. The original features of the castle such as the ornate fireplaces and decorative arches give the castle so much character and the views from the very top of the keep were amazing. We would highly recommend this castle as a must-see!

Owned by English Heritage but managed by Medway Council - entrance fee
Car parking on the Espanade is only for one hour, however there is more pay and display parking (for longer) slightly further on
Small shop, toilets
Guidebooks available and audio tours are a £1 (we would recommend this although there are information panels all around the castle)
No dogs are allowed 

N & K 

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